What does the Bible say about …
cisterns

Cistern is the translation of the 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 (Jeremiah 2:13; Proverbs 5:15; Isaiah 36:16), a fountain.

Cisterns are frequently mentioned in Scripture. The scarcity of springs in Israel made it necessary to collect rain-water in reservoirs and cisterns (Numbers 21:22). (See WELL.)

Empty cisterns were sometimes used as prisons (Jeremiah 38:6; Lam. 3:53; Psalm 40:2; 69:15). The “pit” into which Joseph was cast (Genesis 37:24) was a beer or dry well.

There are numerous remains of ancient cisterns in all parts of Israel.

More information

• Answers about water in the Bible
• WATER: A miracle of God’s Creation
• What is a spring? What springs are mentioned in the Bible?
• What is a fountain in the Bible?
• Answers about irrigation in the Bible
What does the Bible say about pools?
• Channels
• Conduits