Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

WELL

A shaft excavated to collect seepage from a water-bearing stratum beneath the ground (Heb. bĕʾēr, bôr; Gk. pēgḗ, phréar). Unlike a spring, its water is not visible on the surface.

The idea of digging for water must have occurred upon observation of springs coming from the ground or from seeing animals scratching the surface of dry streambeds to reach water 10-20 cm. (4-8 in.) below. Today, Bedouin of the Negeb dig these shallow wells, and in some areas chains of wells (qanats), tapping the same aquifer in a line as long as 3-4 km. (2-2.5 mi). Wells were lined with wood, stone, or baked brick for stability, capped with stone wellheads, and protected by a stone covering the openings. Large wells, such as the one 21 m. (69 ft.) deep at Arad, served the needs of entire communities.

The prominence of wells led to the incorporation of the term in many place names (e.g., Beer-sheba), and wells themselves were given names (Gen. 26:20-22). The Song of the Well in Num. 21:16-18 reflects not only the joy of successfully digging a well, but also the leadership required to support such an undertaking. Wells were the object of strife among local inhabitants (Gen. 21:25-30; 26:18-22) and were sometimes filled in by enemies (26:18). They were located inside cities (2 Sam. 17:18-19) as well as outside (Gen. 16:7, 14; 24:11; 29:2; 2 Sam. 23:15; John 4:6-8), where they also served livestock (Gen. 29:1-10; Exod. 2:15-17). Some wells were open to strangers and a location for conversation and information (Gen. 24:10-27; 29:1-14; John 4:6-8).

“Well” is used figuratively to refer to an adulteress (Prov. 23:27), a lover (Cant. 4:15), a city (Jer. 6:7), and a source of eternal life (John 4:14).

Bibliography. R. Amiran, R. Goethert, and O. Ilan, “The Well at Arad,” BARev 13/2 (1987): 40-44; I. Carmi et al., “The Dating of Ancient Water-Wells by Archaeological and 14C Methods,” IEJ 44 (1944): 184-200; M. Evenari, L. Shanan, and N. Tadmor, The Negev: The Challenge of a Desert, 2nd ed. (Cambridge, Mass., 1982); R. J. Forbes, “Water Supply,” in Studies in Ancient Technology, 3rd ed. (Leiden, 1993) 1:149-94; D. Hillel, Rivers of Eden: The Struggle for Water and the Quest for Peace in the Middle East (Oxford, 1994); V. R. Matthews, “The Wells of Gerar,” BA 49 (1986): 118-26.

James H. Pace

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

WELL

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)