Fountain
“Eye or spring, the 'eye' of the landscape”
Summary
A natural source of living water flowing from the ground, highly valued in Palestine's arid climate and used figuratively for God as the source of life and salvation.
☩Natural Importance
In a land where no rain falls for half the year, springs assume an importance unknown in wetter climates. Palestine is described as 'a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills.' The spring or fountain of 'living' (running) water is distinguished from artificial wells and standing cisterns.
☩Topographical Significance
The importance of fountains is implied by the number of place names compounded with En or Ain meaning 'spring': En-gedi ('spring of the gazelle'), En-rogel, and many others. These springs often became the nucleus of villages and were used to supply great cities through aqueducts, as at Tyre, Damascus, and Jerusalem.
☩Figurative Uses
Fountains symbolize God as the source of life: 'With thee is the fountain of life.' God is called 'the fountain of living waters' in contrast to broken cisterns that hold no water. Zechariah prophesied a fountain opened for sin and uncleanness, fulfilled in Christ's atoning work. Revelation depicts the Lamb leading redeemed ones to fountains of living waters.
Related Verses46 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Fountain," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.George Morrish, "Fountain," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.James Orr (ed.), "Fountain," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).