What is…
Jacob's Well

Mentioned in John 4:5-6.

This is a site in Israel about which there is no dispute. It was dug by Jacob, and hence its name, in the “parcel of ground” which he purchased from the sons of Hamor (Genesis 33:19).

It still exists, but although after copious rains it contains a little water, it is now usually quite dry. It is at the entrance to the valley between Ebal and Gerizim, about 2 miles southeast of Shechem. It is about 9 feet in diameter and about 75 feet in depth, though in ancient times it was no doubt much deeper, probably twice as deep. The digging of such a well must have been a very laborious and costly undertaking.

More information

• Who is Jacob?
• Have any man-made structures mentioned in the Bible been unearthed by archaeologists?
• Wells in the Bible
• Water in the Bible
• Irrigation in the Bible
• Springs
• Fountains
• 
  Visit our large Bible archaeology section