Bible Dictionary
Cistern
A cistern was a reservoir, usually cut into rock, for storing rainwater or water brought from a spring. Empty cisterns could also be used as prisons or places of confinement.
Definition
A cistern is a receptacle or reservoir for water brought from an external source or collected from rainfall. It differs from a spring or well in that the water is stored rather than rising naturally at the place.
Biblical Usage
Cisterns are frequently mentioned in Scripture because water had to be collected and preserved. Empty cisterns were sometimes used as prisons or places of confinement, including the pits into which Joseph and Jeremiah were cast.
Historical Background
The scarcity of springs and the dryness of summer made cisterns necessary throughout Judea, Syria, and Palestine. They were commonly excavated in rock, often with a small opening, curb, and device for drawing water. Ancient cisterns remain throughout Palestine.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
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 (Jer. 2:13; Prov. 5:15; Isa. 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 (Num. 21:22). (See WELL.) Empty cisterns were sometimes used as prisons (Jer. 38:6; Lam. 3:53; Ps. 40:2; 69:15). The “pit” into which Joseph was cast (Gen. 37:24) was a beer or dry well. There are numerous remains of ancient cisterns in all parts of Palestine.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
a 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, “broken cisterns” 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 “pit,” (Genesis 37:22) as was Jeremiah. (Jeremiah 38:6)