“Fountain” From Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(font). Springs of Palestine many but uncertain (Deut. 8:7). They furnish many figures of speech (Psa. 36:8-9; Isa. 49:10; Jer. 2:13; John 4:10; Rev. 7:17).
“Well” From Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:
(boil). Wells were of great importance in Palestine (Gen. 24:11; Num. 20:17-19; Judg. 7:1). They were sometimes deep (John 4:11); frequently owned in common (Gen. 29:2-3); covered at times with a stone and surrounded by a low wall to protect them from drifting sand (Gen. 29:2-8); to stop them up an act of hostility (Gen. 26:15-16); to invade them a cause for contention (Gen. 21:25); water sometimes drawn by sweeps or windlasses, but generally by a bucket attached to a rope, and in some cases steps led down to them (Gen. 21:25-31; Judg. 1:13-15; 1 Sam. 29:1); emblem of blessings (Jer. 2:13; 17:13).
“Fountain” From Concise Bible Dictionary:
Ahab’s Well—Jezreel
1. bor, “pit, well:” translated “fountain” only in Jeremiah 6:7.
2. mabbua, “spring of water” (Eccl. 12:6): translated “spring” in Isaiah 35:7 and Isaiah 49:10.
3. ayin, lit. “eye,” and hence orifice through which water flows (Gen. 16:7; 2 Chron. 32:3; Neh. 2:14; Neh. 3:15; Neh. 12:37; Prov. 8:28).
4. mayan (from ayin); translated “spring” (Psa. 87:7; Psa. 104:10; “well,” Josh. 18:15; 2 Kings 3:19, 25; Psa. 84:6; Isa. 12:3; and “fountain” often, as at the flood (Gen. 7:11; Gen. 8:2; 2 Chron. 32:4; Psa. 74:15; Psa. 114:8; Song of Sol. 4:12, 15; Joel 3:18).
5. maqor, “source, perpetual spring.” This is rendered “spring” (Prov. 25:26; Jer. 51:36; Hos. 13:15). It is used for the “fountain of blood” (Mark 5:29); the “fountain of life,” as applied to Jehovah for Israel (Psa. 36:9); the “fountain of tears” (Jer. 9:1); the “fountain of living waters” (Jer. 2:13; Jer. 17:13; Rev. 7:17: Rev. 21:6).
Ein Geti
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" (Deut. 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.
“Spring” From Concise Bible Dictionary:
See FOUNTAIN.
“Wells” From Concise Bible Dictionary:
There are several Hebrew words for the wells that were in Palestine. Some may have been dug in connection with springs of water and others have been principally supplied by water from the surrounding land. The word ayin differs from either of the above: it signifies literally “an eye,” and was like an eye in the ground from which the waters sprang up, and is not said to be dug, and yet is called “a well” in the AV. It occurs in Genesis 24:13-45; Genesis 49:22; Exodus 15:27 and Nehemiah 2:13; and the same word is often translated “fountain.” From the same is mayan (Psa. 84:6; Isa. 12:3; &c).
Ain Tabgha – Copious Spring
The words beer, bor refer to any well, cistern, or pit (Gen. 16:14; Gen. 24:11,20; Deut. 6:11; etc.).
Beersheba (Beer Seba)—An Ancient Well
There is the same difference in the New Testament, and the two words πηγή, “spring” or “fountain,” and φρέαρ, “well,” are both used respecting Jacob’s well; so that apparently it was a fountain (John 4:6) within the well (John 4:11-12).
Ruins at Jacob’s Well
In John 4:14 (πηγή) is used symbolically: it is “a fountain” which Christ gives that springs up into eternal life. It is the Holy Spirit, the power of life that springs up in the soul towards its heavenly source.
In 2 Peter 2:17 an apostate is a spring or fountain “without water”; he has left the only source of life.
Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew Words:
Meaning:
or ma ynow (Psa. 114:8) {mah-yen-o'}; or (feminine) ma yanah {mah-yaw-naw'}; from 5869 (as a denominative in the sense of a spring); a fountain (also collectively), figuratively, a source (of satisfaction)
KJV Usage:
fountain, spring, well