Bible Dictionary
Spring
A spring is a natural source of flowing water, distinguished in biblical usage from a dug well. Springs were important landmarks and sources of life in the land.
Definition
A spring is a bright, open natural source of water, distinguished from a dug well. The Hebrew expression describes the source as an “eye” of the landscape. The term may also be confused with a word meaning declivities or slopes in one passage.
Biblical Usage
Springs are treated as distinct from wells in biblical terminology. In Joshua 10:40, the word translated “springs” is said to be better understood as “declivities” or “slopes,” referring to the undulating ground between lowlands and the central hills.
Historical Background
The supplied material identifies the spring as a natural water source rather than an excavated well and notes the geographical use of related language for slopes.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(Heb. ‘ain, “the bright open source, the eye of the landscape”). To be carefully distinguished from “well” (q.v.). “Springs” mentioned in Josh. 10:40 (Heb. ‘ashdoth) should rather be “declivities” or “slopes” (R.V.), i.e., the undulating ground lying between the lowlands (the shephelah) and the central range of hills.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>See FOUNTAIN; WELL.</p>