What is a…
spring
Hebrew: ע —transliterations: ain, ayin or en —meaning: the bright open source, the eye of the landscape (that is, a pool of water seen in the land not fed by a stream)
A spring is the point where underground water (an aquifer) flows to the surface. Some are slow flowing and others vigorous cascades. Some springs are hidden beneath the pool of water they create, stirring the waters as they rise.
A spring is generally different than a well, which must be dug to reach the underground water.
Springs of the Bible
Many natural springs are mentioned in Scripture.
- el Ain (see: Riblah)
- Ain 'Atan (see: Etam, Nephtoah)
- Ain-el-Barideh (see: Dalmanutha)
- Ain Hamul (see: Hammon
- Ain-Haud (see: En-shemesh)
- Ain Hawarah (see: Marah)
- Ain Helweh (see: Abel-meholah)
- Ain Hudherah (see: Kibroth-hattaavah)
- Ain el-Hudhera (see: Hazeroth)
- Ain Jalud (see: Harod, Fountain of Jezreel)
- Ain Jidy (Ain Jidi) (see: Engedi, cave, Dead Sea)
- Ain-Kana (see: Kanah)
- Ain Karim (see: Beth-haccerem)
- Ain Kezbeh (see: Achzib)
- Ain Lifta (see: Nephtoah)
- Ain Muweileh (see: Beer-lahai-roi)
- Ain-Rimmon (see: Rimmon)
- Ain Sarah (see: Sirah)
- Ain Shems (see: Ebenezer, Beth-shemesh, Kirjath-jearim
- Ain-esh-Shemsiyeh (see: Beth-shemesh
- Ain es-Sultan (see: Jericho
- Ain Tabighah (see: Bethsaida)
- Ain Ummel-Daraj (En-rogel)
- Ain el-Ghudyan (see: Ezion-geber
- Bel'ain (see: Baalath)
- M'ain (see: Baal-meon)
- Ras-el-Ain (see: Antipatris)
- Gilboa (meaning: boiling spring)
“Springs” mentioned in the King James Version of Joshua 10:40 (Hebrew: 'ashdoth) should rather be “slopes,” as it is translated in the Revised King James Version, NKJV, NASB, ESV, etc.
It refers to the “undulating ground lying between the lowlands (the shephelah) and the central range of hills.” (Matthew G. Easton)
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