Cistern: 5 definitions
Introduction:
Cistern means something in Christianity. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. On this page you will also find search and cross-referencing tools.
Images (photo gallery)
In Christianity
General definition (in Christianity)
: archive.org: Easton's Bible DictionaryCistern definition and references: The rendering of a Hebrew word bor, which means a receptacle for water conveyed to it; distinguished from beer, which denotes a place where water rises on the spot (Jeremiah 2:13; Proverbs 5:15; Isaiah 36:16), a fountain. Cisterns are frequently mentioned in Scripture. The scarcity of springs in Palestine made it necessary to collect rain-water in reservoirs and cisterns (Numbers 21:22). (See Well.)
Empty cisterns were sometimes used as prisons (Jeremiah 38:6; Lamentations 3:53; Psalms 40:2; 69:15). The 鈥減it鈥� into which Joseph was cast (Genesis 37:24) was a beer or dry well. There are numerous remains of ancient cisterns in all parts of Palestine.
: archive.org: Smith's Bible DictionaryCistern refers to:鈥攁 receptacle for water, either conducted from an external spring or proceeding from rain-fall. The dryness of the summer months and the scarcity of springs in Judea made cisterns a necessity, and they are frequent throughout the whole of Syria and Palestine. On the long-forgotten way from Jericho to Bethel, 鈥渂roken cisterns鈥� of high antiquity are found at regular intervals. Jerusalem depends mainly for water upon its cisterns, of which almost every private house possesses one or more, excavated in the rock on which the city is built. The cisterns have usually a round opening at the top, sometimes built up with stonework above and furnished with a curb and a wheel for a bucket. (Ecclesiastes 12:6) Empty cisterns were sometimes used as prisons and places of confinement. Joseph was cast into a 鈥減it,鈥� (Genesis 37:22) as was Jeremiah. (Jeremiah 38:6)
: archive.org: Nave's Topical BibleCistern definition and references: 鈥揋eneral scriptures concerning Isaiah 36:16
鈥揃谤辞办别苍 Jeremiah 2:13
鈥�Figurative 2 Kings 18:31; Proverbs 5:15; Ecclesiastes 12:6
鈥揝别别 Wells
Cistern refers to:鈥擨n a country which has scarcely more than one perennial stream, where fountains are not abundant, and where the months of summer pass without rain, the preservation of the rain-water in cisterns must always have been a matter of vast importance, not only in the pasture-grounds, but in gardens, and, above all, in towns. Hence the frequent mention of cisterns in Scripture, and more especially of those which are found in the open country. These were, it seems, the property of those by whom they were formed. They are usually little more than large pits, but sometimes take the character of extensive subterraneous vaults, open only by a small mouth, like that of a well. They are filled with rain-water, and (where the climate allows) with snow during winter, and are then closed at the mouth with large flat stones, over which sand is spread in such a way as to prevent their being easily discovered.
[...] [Read full article here]
: archive.org: Fausset's Bible DictionaryCistern refers to:鈥�Βor , a dug pit for receiving water conducted from a spring or the rainfall. (See CONDUIT.) The dryness between May and September in Palestine makes reservoirs necessary; of which the larger are called "pools," the smaller "cisterns." The rocky soil facilitates their construction. The top, with stonework and a round opening, has often a wheel for the bucket; an image of the aorta or great artery circulating the blood from the ventricle of the heart, or the wheel expresses life in its rapid motion (James 3:6; Ecclesiastes 12:6). The rain is conducted to them from the roofs of the houses, most of which are furnished with them; from whence is derived the metaphor, Proverbs 5:15, "drink waters out of thine own cistern," i.e. draw thy enjoyments only from the sources that are legitimately thine.
Hezekiah stopped the water supply outside Jerusalem at the invasion of Sennacherib, while within there was abundant water (2 Chronicles 32:3-4). So it has been in all the great sieges of Jerusalem, scarcity of water outside, abundance within. Empty cisterns were used as prisons. So Joseph was cast into a "pit" (Genesis 37:22); Jeremiah into one miry at the bottom, and so deep that he was let down by cords (Jeremiah 38:6), said to be near "Herod's gate." Cisterns yield only a limited supply of water, not an everflowing spring; representing creature comforts soon exhausted, and therefore never worth forsaking the never failing, ever fresh supplies of God. for (Jeremiah 2:13). The stonework of tanks often becomes broken, and the water leaks into the earth; and, at best, the water is not fresh long. Compare Isaiah 55:1-2; Luke 12:33.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Full-text (+72): Prapa, Varasana, Tanki, Udakadhara, Tankem, Udapana, Well, Gob, Tharolem, Abbata, Tunga, Sechu, Fountain, Varota, Sancitodaka, Inara, Kushaya, Prapapurana, Inar, Manikarnika.
Relevant text
Search found 45 books and stories containing Cistern, Cisterns; (plurals include: Cisterns, Cisternses). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
A Cyclopedia of Biblical literature (by John Kitto)
A Dictionary of the Bible (Hastings) (by Andrew Robert Fausset)
Expositions of Holy Scripture (by Alexander Maclaren)
Fountain and cisterns < [Jeremiah]
The rock and the water < [John]
Is the spirit of the lord straitened? < [Micah]
Bible cyclopedia, critical and expository (by Andrew Robert Fausset)
The Gifts of Water < [April 鈥� June, 2007]
Reviews < [July-September, 1928]
Hermann Hesse鈥檚 Siddhartha and 鈥楾he Ancient < [July 鈥� September, 1995]
Stupas in Orissa (Study) (by Meenakshi Chauley)