Bible Dictionary
WATERCOURSE
A watercourse is a channel, streambed, river, or conduit through which water flows. Scripture uses the term for natural channels as well as constructed passages carrying water.
Definition
A watercourse is a channel, streambed, river, brook, or conduit through which water flows. The term may describe a natural channel or a constructed passage carrying water.
Biblical Usage
Biblical translations use watercourse for channels, streams, rivers, and conduits. It also occurs figuratively in the image of the king’s heart being directed like watercourses.
Historical Background
The term represents several Hebrew words translated elsewhere as river, stream, brook, channel, conduit, or gutter.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>wo'-ter-kors:</p><p>(1) 'aphiq (Eze 6:3; 31:12; 32:6; 34:13; 35:8; 36:4,6), the King James Version "river," elsewhere "stream," "channel," or "brook."</p><p>(2) pelegh (Pr 21:1). "The king's heart is in the hand of Yahweh as the watercourses," the King James Version "rivers," elsewhere "streams" or "rivers."</p><p>(3) yabhal, yibheley mayim, "watercourses" (English Versions of the Bible) (Isa 44:4); in Isa 30:25, English Versions of the Bible has "streams of water"; compare yubhal, "rivers" (Jer 17:8); yubhal, "Jubal" (Ge 4:21); 'ubhal, "the river Ulai" (Da 8:2,3,6).</p><p>(4) te`alah, "channel," the King James Version "watercourse" (Job 38:25); elsewhere "conduit," "the conduit of the upper pool" (2Ki 18:17; Isa 7:3; 36:2).</p><p>(5) tsinnor, "watercourse," the King James Version "gutter" (2Sa 5:8).</p><p>See BROOK; RIVER; STREAM; WATERFALL.</p><p>Alfred Ely Day</p>