Fountain

Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types

 Leviticus 20:18 (a) By this word is described the monthly period which is common among women.

 Deuteronomy 33:28 (a) By this type we understand the continual, abundant harvest of grain and fruits.

 Psalm 36:9 (a) This is a prophecy, or a picture, of the blessed source of both our physical and our spiritual life. (See  Psalm 68:26).

 Proverbs 5:16 (a) The Lord is using this figure to express His desire that each one of us who knows our Lord should be a source of blessing, comfort, help and joy to those around us.

 Proverbs 5:18 (a) Here is probably a reference to the fertility of a normal man in his marital relationships.

 Proverbs 13:14 (a) By this figure we are instructed to observe GOD's rules, and His desires toward us so that we may enjoy life to the full. (See  Proverbs 14:27).

 Proverbs 25:26 (a) This situation is unnatural and breeds trouble in a home, or in a nation.

 Ecclesiastes 12:6 (c) This may be taken as a picture of the end of life.

The silver cord may refer to the spinal cord which no longer operates normally.

The golden bowl may be the brain which is no longer active.

The pitcher may refer to the heart which no longer pours out the blood.

The fountain may refer to the blood stream in the arteries and the veins, as well as the heart.

The wheel probably refers to the inability of the nervous system to function properly.

All of this is a picture of old age.

 Isaiah 41:18 (a) The Lord is telling us that in the valleys of despair and sorrow He will bring sweet rich blessings for the heart. He will cause His mercy, love and grace to fill the soul of that one who in the hour of need turns to Him for solace. It is also a picture of the great blessings that GOD will send upon this earth in the millennial age.

 Jeremiah 2:13 (a) Here is a type, a splendid picture of GOD as the source of life and all things that pertain to life and godliness. We should never turn away from the living GOD. (See also  Jeremiah 17:13).

 Hosea 13:15 (a) The curse of GOD will cause the blessings of Ephraim to cease.

 Joel 3:18 (a) By this we see the abundant blessings that GOD will pour out on His people in a coming day. It may be a prophecy concerning the coming of Christ as in  Zechariah 13:1.

 Revelation 21:6 (a) This fountain represents the Holy Spirit. The Lord Jesus is the giver of that lovely Person. He is also referred to in joh4as a well of water, which has the same meaning (See  John 4:14).

Morrish Bible Dictionary

1. bor , 'pit, well:' translated 'fountain' only in  Jeremiah 6:7 .

2. mabbua , 'spring of water,'  Ecclesiastes 12:6 : translated 'spring' in  Isaiah 35:7;  Isaiah 49:10 .

3. ayin, lit. 'eye,' and hence orifice through which water flows.   Genesis 16:7;  2 Chronicles 32:3;  Nehemiah 2:14;  Nehemiah 3:15;  Nehemiah 12:37;  Proverbs 8:28 .

4. mayan (from ayin ); translated 'spring.'  Psalm 87:7;  Psalm 104:10; 'well,'  Joshua 18:15;  2 Kings 3:19,25;  Psalm 84:6;  Isaiah 12:3; and 'fountain' often, as at the flood.  Genesis 7:11;  Genesis 8:2;  2 Chronicles 32:4;  Psalm 74:15;  Psalm 114:8;  Song of Solomon 4:12,15;  Joel 3:18 .

5. maqor , πηγή, 'source, perpetual spring.' This is rendered 'spring' in  Proverbs 25:26;  Jeremiah 51:36;  Hosea 13:15 . It is used for the 'fountain of blood,'  Mark 5:29; the 'fountain of life,' as applied to Jehovah for Israel,  Psalm 36:9; the 'fountain of tears,'  Jeremiah 9:1; the 'fountain of living waters.'  Jeremiah 2:13;  Jeremiah 17:13;  Revelation 7:17;  Revelation 21:6 .

The fountains form a striking feature in Palestine, which is described as "a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills."  Deuteronomy 8:7 .

In the modern names of localities in Palestine the prefix ain or en signifies a 'well;' and bir or beer signifies a fountain or spring, often artificially enclosed. The water from such is called 'living water' in distinction from the water in wells or cisterns.

Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary

is properly the source or spring-head of waters. There were several celebrated fountains in Judea, such as that of Rogel, of Gihon, of Siloam, of Nazareth, &c; and allusions to them are often to be met with in both the Old and New Testament. Dr. Chandler, in his travels in Asia Minor, says, "The reader, as we proceed, will find frequent mention of fountains. Their number is owing to the nature of the country and the climate. The soil, parched and thirsty, demands moisture to aid vegetation; and a cloudless sun, which inflames the air, requires for the people the verdure, with shade and air, its agreeable attendants. Hence fountains, are met with, not only in the towns and villages, but in the fields and gardens, and by the sides of the roads, and of the beaten tracks on the mountains. Many of them are the useful donations of humane persons while living, or have been bequeathed as legacies on their decease." As fountains of water were so extremely valuable to the inhabitants of the eastern countries, it is easy to understand why the inspired writers so frequently allude to them, and thence deduce some of their most beautiful and striking similitudes, when they would set forth the choicest spiritual blessings. Thus Jeremiah calls the blessed God, "the fountain of living waters,"  Jeremiah 2:13 . As those springs or fountains of water are the most valuable and highly prized which never intermit or cease to flow, but are always sending forth their streams; such is Jehovah to his people: he is a perennial source of felicity. Zechariah, pointing in his days to the atonement which was to be made in the fulness of time, by the shedding of the blood of Christ, describes it as a fountain that was to be opened in which the inhabitants of Jerusalem might wash away all their impurities: "In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness,"  Zechariah 13:1 . Joel predicted the salvation which was to come out of Zion, under the beautiful figure of "a fountain which should come forth out of the house of the Lord, and water the plain of Shittim,"  Joel 3:18 . The Psalmist, expatiating on the excellency of the loving-kindness of God, not only as affording a ground of hope to the children of men, but also as the source of consolation and happiness, adds, "Thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures; for with thee is the fountain of life,"  Psalms 36:7-9 . In short, the blessedness of the heavenly state is shadowed forth under this beautiful figure; for as "in the divine presence there is fulness of joy, and at God's right hand, pleasures for evermore,"  Psalms 16:11; so it is said of those who came out of great tribulation, that "the Lamb that was in the midst of the throne shall lead them unto living fountains of water, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes,"  Revelation 7:17 .

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

''Αyin , or 'Eeyn , in many names, "the eye" of the landscape as distinguished from the artificially sunk and enclosed well. (See Engedi ; Eneglaim Also Mayan , etc. The natural bursting of waters from the ground, which drank of the rain of heaven ( Deuteronomy 8:7;  Deuteronomy 11:11), would on Israel's entrance into Canaan form a striking contrast to Egypt watered from below "with the foot," i.e. either by treadwheels working pumps, or by artificial rills led in ducts from the Nile, the petty embankments being removed with the foot to let in the stream. Canaan as a mountainous country depended for its crops on the rain from above, without which in the late autumn to quicken the newly sown seed, and in the spring to swell the grain, the harvest would fail.

The configuration of the country did not favor much irrigation. "The eyes of the Lord, Israel's God, were always upon the land from the beginning of the year even unto the end," so long as Israel was faithful ( Deuteronomy 11:11-12). Egypt symbolizes spiritually the world drawing all its resources, material, intellectual, and moral, from beneath. The Holy Land answers to the church, all whose supplies are continually from above ( Psalms 87:7;  John 8:23). When the country was more wooded its brooks were more filled than now, and though short lived now are remarkable still for their beauty.

Thus to Palestine peculiarly of eastern lauds the psalmist's language is appropriate, "He sendeth the springs into the valleys which run among the hills" ( Psalms 104:10).  Deuteronomy 8:7; "a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills." Hot springs of volcanic origin are found near the sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. Philip built Tiberias at the sulphureous hot springs S. of the sea of Galilee. Besides the main supply of cistern rain water Jerusalem had at least one perennial spring issuing by more than one outlet (Tacitus, Hist., 5:12, " Fons Perennis Aquae ".) Jerusalem evidently possessed public fountains ( Nehemiah 2:13-14), "the dragon well... the gate of the fountain" ( 2 Samuel 17:17). (See Enrogel .)

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Joshua 17:11 Ezekiel 47:10 Joshua 15:34 Joshua 15:62 Joshua 19:21 Judges 15:19 Joshua 19:37 Nehemiah 11:29 Joshua 15:7 Joshua 17:7 Joshua 15:34 Deuteronomy 8:7

The Old Testament portrays the earth's dry land resting on foundations over the fountains of the deep ( Genesis 7:11 ). The unleashing of these waters amounted to a return to the chaos before the creation ( Genesis 1:1 ,Genesis 1:1, 1:9 ).

Provisions of spring water is an expression of God's providential care ( Psalm 104:10 ). God's special concern for the poor and needy is pictured in terms of providing fountains and springs ( Isaiah 41:17-18 ). The blessedness of the endtime includes pictures of fountains flowing from the Temple ( Ezekiel 47:1-12;  Joel 3:18 ), Jerusalem ( Zechariah 14:8 ), or the throne of God ( Revelation 22:1-2 ) with amazing life-giving powers.

The metaphorical use of fountain for source is common. The teaching of the wise is a fountain (source) of life ( Proverbs 13:14; contrast  Proverbs 25:26 ).

Chris Church

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

1: Πηγή (Strong'S #4077 — Noun Feminine — pege — pay-gay' )

"a spring or fountain," is used of (a) "an artificial well," fed by a spring,  John 4:6; (b) metaphorically (in contrast to such a well), "the indwelling Spirit of God,"  John 4:14; (c) "springs," metaphorically in  2—Peter 2:17 , RV, for AV, "wells;" (d) "natural fountains or springs,"  James 3:11,12;  Revelation 8:10;  14:7;  16:4; (e) metaphorically, "eternal life and the future blessings accruing from it,"  Revelation 7:17;  21:6; (f) "a flow of blood,"  Mark 5:29 .

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Deuteronomy 8:7 11:11

These fountains, bright sparkling "eyes" of the desert, are remarkable for their abundance and their beauty, especially on the west of Jordan. All the perennial rivers and streams of the country are supplied from fountains, and depend comparatively little on surface water. "Palestine is a country of mountains and hills, and it abounds in fountains of water. The murmur of these waters is heard in every dell, and the luxuriant foliage which surrounds them is seen in every plain." Besides its rain-water, its cisterns and fountains, Jerusalem had also an abundant supply of water in the magnificent reservoir called "Solomon's Pools" (q.v.), at the head of the Urtas valley, whence it was conveyed to the city by subterrean channels some 10 miles in length. These have all been long ago destroyed, so that no water from the "Pools" now reaches Jerusalem. Only one fountain has been discovered at Jerusalem, the so-called "Virgins's Fountains," in the valley of Kidron; and only one well (Heb. beer), the Bir Eyub, also in the valley of Kidron, south of the King's Gardens, which has been dug through the solid rock. The inhabitants of Jerusalem are now mainly dependent on the winter rains, which they store in cisterns. (See Well .)

Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary

This word is used in Scripture to denote the spring and source of divine life to the church; and what is worthy of remark, as if to confirm the fundamental truth of our holy faith, in that of JEHOVAH existing in a threefold character of persons, this word is equally applied to each and to all. To God the Father,"as the fountain of living waters." ( Jeremiah 2:13) To God the Son, who had opened a "fountain for sin and uncleanness to the house of David and inhabitants of Jerusalem." ( Zechariah 13:1) And to God the Holy Ghost, as a "river of living water in the hearts of believers." ( John 7:38) Hence the church sings so blessedly concerning her Beloved, calling him "a fountain of gardens; a well of living waters; and streams from Lebanon." ( Song of Song of Solomon 4:15)

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

Fountain . A word applied to living springs of water as contrasted with cisterns (  Leviticus 11:35 ); specifically of Besr-lahai-roi (  Genesis 16:7 ), Elim (  Numbers 33:8 , RV [Note: Revised Version.] here ‘springs’), Nephtoah (  Joshua 15:9 ), and Jezreel (  1 Samuel 29:1 ). The porous chalky limestone of Palestine abounds in good springs of water, which, owing to their importance in a country rainless half the year, were eagerly coveted (  Judges 1:15 ). In many springs the flow of water has been directed and increased by enlarging to tunnels the fissures through which the water trickled; many of these tunnels are of considerable length. Specimens exist at Urtas. Bittir, and other places near Jerusalem.

R. A. S. Macalister.

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Fountain. (A Spring in distinction from a well ). The springs of Palestine, though short-lived, are remarkable for their abundance and beauty, especially those which fall into the Jordan and into its lakes, of which there are hundreds throughout its whole course.

The spring or fountain of living water, the "eye" of the landscape, is distinguished in all Oriental languages from the artificially-sunk and enclosed well. Jerusalem appears to have possessed either more than one perennial spring or one issuing by more than one outlet.

In Oriental cities, generally, public fountains are frequent. Traces of such fountains at Jerusalem may perhaps be found in the names of Enrogel,  2 Samuel 17:17, the "Dragon well" or fountain, and the "gate of the fountain."  Nehemiah 2:13-14.

Webster's Dictionary

(1): ( n.) A reservoir or chamber to contain a liquid which can be conducted or drawn off as needed for use; as, the ink fountain in a printing press, etc.

(2): ( n.) The source from which anything proceeds, or from which anything is supplied continuously; origin; source.

(3): ( n.) An artificially produced jet or stream of water; also, the structure or works in which such a jet or stream rises or flows; a basin built and constantly supplied with pure water for drinking and other useful purposes, or for ornament.

(4): ( n.) A spring of water issuing from the earth.

King James Dictionary

FOUNT'AIN, n. L. fons.

1. A spring, or source of water properly, a spring or issuing of water from the earth. This word accords in sense with well, in our mother tongue but we now distinguish the, applying fountain to a natural spring of water, and well to an artificial pit of water, issuing from the interior of the earth. 2. A small basin of springing water. 3. A jet a spouting of water an artificial spring. 4. The head or source of a river. 5. Original first principle or cause the source of any thing.

Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness.

Fount of types. See Font.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

foun´tin , foun´tān  : In a country where no rain falls for half of the year, springs sume an importance unknown in more favored lands. In both eastern and western Palestine and even in Lebanon there are many villages which depend entirely upon reservoirs or cisterns of rain water. Others are situated along the courses of the few perennial streams. But wherever a spring exists it is very apt to be the nucleus of a village. It may furnish sufficient water to be used in irrigation, in which case the gardens surrounding the village become an oasis in the midst of the parched land. Or there may be a tiny stream which barely suffices for drinking water, about which the village women and girls sit and talk waiting their turns to fill their jars, sometimes until far in the night. The water of the village fountain is often conveyed by a covered conduit for some distance from the source to a convenient spot in the village where an arch is built up, under which the water gushes out. See Cistern; Spring; Well; En- , and place-names compounded with En- .

Figurative: (1) of God (  Psalm 36:9;  Jeremiah 2:13;  Jeremiah 17:13 ); (2) of Divine pardon and purification, with an obvious Messianic reference ( Zechariah 13:1 ); (3) of wisdom and godliness ( Proverbs 13:14;  Proverbs 14:27 ); (4) of wives ( Proverbs 5:18 ); (5) of children ( Deuteronomy 33:28; compare  Psalm 68:26;  Proverbs 5:16 ); (6) of prosperity ( Psalm 107:35;  Psalm 114:8;  Hosea 13:15 ); (7) of the heart ( Ecclesiastes 12:6; see Cistern ); (8) of life everlasting ( Revelation 7:17;  Revelation 21:6 ).

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

Fountain, a stream of 'living' or constantly running water, in opposition to standing or stagnant pools, whether it issues immediately from the ground or from the bottom of a well.

From the value of such supplies of water in arid countries, fountains figure much in the poetry of the East as the natural images of perennial blessings of various kinds. In the Scriptures fountains are made the symbols of refreshment to the weary, and also denote the perpetuity and inexhaustible nature of the spiritual comforts which God imparts to his people, whether by the influences of the Spirit, or through the ordinances of public worship. There are also various texts in which children, or an extended posterity, are, by a beautifully apt image, described as a fountain, and the father or progenitor as the source or spring from which that fountain flows (;;;; , etc.).

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Bibliography Information McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Fountain'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/f/fountain.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.