Artificial openings to tap underground water supplies. They were very important for life in a settled urban society and this is reflected in their symbolical use in Scripture.
The importance of wells in urban life
Nehemiah 9:25 See also Deuteronomy 6:10–11
They captured fortified cities and fertile land and took houses full of all goods, wells already dug, vineyards, olive groves, and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled; they grew fat and delighted in Your great goodness.
Women drew water for domestic use
Genesis 24:11–20 See also 1 Samuel 9:11; John 4:7–9
Livestock were watered at wells
Genesis 29:2–3 See also Genesis 29:7–10; Exodus 2:15–17
He looked and saw a well in the field, and near it lay three flocks of sheep, because the sheep were watered from this well. And a large stone covered the mouth of the well. When all the flocks had been gathered there, the shepherds would roll away the stone from the mouth of the well and water the sheep. Then they would return the stone to its place over the mouth of the well.
Wells were sometimes a source of contention
Genesis 21:25 See also Genesis 26:12–22; Numbers 20:17, Numbers 21:22
But when Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well that Abimelech’s servants had seized,
Wells as landmarks
Genesis 16:7 Verse 14 refers to this spring as a well. See also Genesis 16:14, Genesis 21:31 “Beersheba” means either “well of seven” or “well of the oath”; Genesis 26:20–22; John 4:6
Now the angel of the LORD found Hagar by a spring of water in the desert — the spring along the road to Shur.
Figurative use of wells
Associated with God and his goodness
Isaiah 12:3; Jeremiah 17:13 See also Jeremiah 2:13; John 4:14; Revelation 7:17
With joy you will draw water from the springs of salvation,
O LORD, the hope of Israel, all who abandon You will be put to shame. All who turn away will be written in the dust, for they have abandoned the LORD, the fountain of living water.
Associated with human love
In warnings against and judgment of sin
Jeremiah 6:7 See also Proverbs 23:27; Jeremiah 51:36
As a well gushes its water, so she pours out her evil. Violence and destruction resound in her; sickness and wounds are ever before Me.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.