Cistern:
the rendering of a 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 (Jer 2:13; Pro 5:15; Isa 36:16), a fountain. Cisterns are frequently mentioned in Scripture. The scarcity of springs in Palestine made it necessary to collect rain-water in reservoirs and cisterns (Num 21:22). (See WELL.)
Empty cisterns were sometimes used as prisons (Jer 38:6; Lam 3:53; Psa 40:2; 69:15). The "pit" into which Joseph was cast (Gen 37:24) was a beer or dry well. There are numerous remains of ancient cisterns in all parts of Palestine.
The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy of Scripture. Since the text and audio content provided by BLB represent a range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed in the resource materials are not necessarily affirmed, in total, by this ministry.
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