Water.

From: The New Topical Textbook By: Reuben Archer Torrey

• 3 min. read • grade level: 12

One of the elements of the world. Gen. 1:2²And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:2).

GOD ORIGINALLY

Created the firmament to divide. Gen. 1:6, 7⁶And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. ⁷And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. (Genesis 1:6‑7).

Collected into one place. Gen. 1:9⁹And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. (Genesis 1:9).

Created fowls and fishes, &c. from. Gen. 1:20, 21²⁰And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. ²¹And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:20‑21).

Necessary to vegetation. Gen. 2:5, 6⁵And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground. ⁶But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground. (Genesis 2:5‑6). Job 14:9⁹Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant. (Job 14:9). Isa. 1:30³⁰For ye shall be as an oak whose leaf fadeth, and as a garden that hath no water. (Isaiah 1:30).

Some plants particularly require. Job 8:11¹¹Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water? (Job 8:11).

Necessary to the comfort and happiness of man. Isa. 41:17¹⁷When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. (Isaiah 41:17), with Zech. 9:11¹¹As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein is no water. (Zechariah 9:11).

COLLECTED IN

Springs. Josh. 15:19¹⁹Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs. (Joshua 15:19).

Pools. 1 Kin. 22:38. Neh. 2:14¹⁴Then I went on to the gate of the fountain, and to the king's pool: but there was no place for the beast that was under me to pass. (Nehemiah 2:14).

Ponds. Ex. 7:10¹⁰And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the Lord had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent. (Exodus 7:10). Isa. 19:10¹⁰And they shall be broken in the purposes thereof, all that make sluices and ponds for fish. (Isaiah 19:10).

Fountains. 1 Kin. 18:5. 2 Chr. 32:3³He took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were without the city: and they did help him. (2 Chronicles 32:3).

Wells. Gen. 21:19¹⁹And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink. (Genesis 21:19).

Brooks. 2 Sam. 17:20²⁰And when Absalom's servants came to the woman to the house, they said, Where is Ahimaaz and Jonathan? And the woman said unto them, They be gone over the brook of water. And when they had sought and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. (2 Samuel 17:20). 1 Kin. 18:5.

Streams. Psa. 78:16¹⁶He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers. (Psalm 78:16). Isa. 35:6⁶Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. (Isaiah 35:6).

Rivers. Isa. 8:7⁷Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks: (Isaiah 8:7). Jer. 2:18¹⁸And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river? (Jeremiah 2:18).

The sea. Gen. 1:9, 10⁹And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. ¹⁰And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:9‑10). Isa. 11:9⁹They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:9).

The clouds. Gen. 1:7⁷And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. (Genesis 1:7). Job 26:8, 9⁸He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them. ⁹He holdeth back the face of his throne, and spreadeth his cloud upon it. (Job 26:8‑9).

Rises in vapor to the clouds. Ecc. 1:7, with Psa. 104:8⁸They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for them. (Psalm 104:8).

Drops from the clouds in rain. Deut. 11:11¹¹But the land, whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven: (Deuteronomy 11:11). 2 Sam. 21:10¹⁰And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night. (2 Samuel 21:10).

DESCRIBED AS

Fluid. Psa. 78:16¹⁶He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers. (Psalm 78:16). Prov. 30:4⁴Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell? (Proverbs 30:4).

Unstable. Gen. 49:4⁴Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch. (Genesis 49:4).

Penetrating. Psa. 109:18¹⁸As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones. (Psalm 109:18).

Reflecting images. Prov. 27:9⁹Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel. (Proverbs 27:9).

Wearing the hardest substances. Job 14:19¹⁹The waters wear the stones: thou washest away the things which grow out of the dust of the earth; and thou destroyest the hope of man. (Job 14:19).

Cleansing. Ezek. 36:25²⁵Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. (Ezekiel 36:25). Eph. 5:26²⁶That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (Ephesians 5:26).

Refreshing. Job 22:7⁷Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou hast withholden bread from the hungry. (Job 22:7). Prov. 25:25²⁵As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. (Proverbs 25:25).

Congealed by cold. Job 38:29²⁹Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it? (Job 38:29). Psa. 147:16, 17¹⁶He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. ¹⁷He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold? (Psalm 147:16‑17).

WAS USED BY THE JEWS

As their principal beverage. Gen. 24:43⁴³Behold, I stand by the well of water; and it shall come to pass, that when the virgin cometh forth to draw water, and I say to her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water of thy pitcher to drink; (Genesis 24:43). 1 Kin. 13:19, 22. 1 Kin. 18:4. Hos. 2:5⁵For their mother hath played the harlot: she that conceived them hath done shamefully: for she said, I will go after my lovers, that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oil and my drink. (Hosea 2:5).

For culinary purposes. Ex. 12:9⁹Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof. (Exodus 12:9).

For washing the person. Gen. 18:4⁴Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree: (Genesis 18:4). Gen. 24:32³²And the man came into the house: and he ungirded his camels, and gave straw and provender for the camels, and water to wash his feet, and the men's feet that were with him. (Genesis 24:32).

For legal purification. Ex. 29:4⁴And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water. (Exodus 29:4). Heb. 9:10¹⁰Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. (Hebrews 9:10). 19.

Kept for purification in large water-pots. John 2:6⁶And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. (John 2:6).

Carried in vessels. Gen. 21:14¹⁴And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beer-sheba. (Genesis 21:14). 1 Sam. 26:11¹¹The Lord forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the Lord's anointed: but, I pray thee, take thou now the spear that is at his bolster, and the cruse of water, and let us go. (1 Samuel 26:11). Mar. 14:13.

Artificial mode of conveying, into large cities. 2 Kin. 20:20.

Frequently brackish and unfit for use. Ex. 15:23²³And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. (Exodus 15:23). 2 Kin. 2:19.

The want of, considered a great calamity. Ex. 17:1-3¹And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the Lord, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink. ²Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the Lord? ³And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst? (Exodus 17:1‑3). Num. 20:2²And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron. (Numbers 20:2). 2 Kin. 3:9, 10. Isa. 3:1¹For, behold, the Lord, the Lord of hosts, doth take away from Jerusalem and from Judah the stay and the staff, the whole stay of bread, and the whole stay of water, (Isaiah 3:1).

In times of scarcity, sold at an enormous price. Lam. 5:4⁴We have drunken our water for money; our wood is sold unto us. (Lamentations 5:4).

MIRACLES CONNECTED WITH

Turned into blood. Ex. 7:17, 20¹⁷Thus saith the Lord, In this thou shalt know that I am the Lord: behold, I will smite with the rod that is in mine hand upon the waters which are in the river, and they shall be turned to blood. (Exodus 7:17)
²⁰And Moses and Aaron did so, as the Lord commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. (Exodus 7:20).

Turned into wine. John 2:7-9⁷Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. ⁸And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. ⁹When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, (John 2:7‑9).

Brought from the rock. Ex. 17:6⁶Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. (Exodus 17:6). Num. 20:11¹¹And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also. (Numbers 20:11).

Brought from the jaw-bone of an ass. Judg. 15:19¹⁹But God clave an hollow place that was in the jaw, and there came water thereout; and when he had drunk, his spirit came again, and he revived: wherefore he called the name thereof En-hakkore, which is in Lehi unto this day. (Judges 15:19).

Consumed by fire from heaven. 1 Kin. 18:38.

Divided and made to stand on heap. Ex. 14:21, 22²¹And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. ²²And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left. (Exodus 14:21‑22). Josh. 3:16¹⁶That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho. (Joshua 3:16).

Trenches filled with. 2 Kin. 3:17-22.

Iron made to swan in. 2 Kin. 6:5, 6.

Our Lord, &c. walking on. Matt. 14:26-29²⁶And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. ²⁷But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. ²⁸And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. ²⁹And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. (Matthew 14:26‑29).

Healing powers communicated to. 2 Kin. 5:14. John 5:4⁴For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. (John 5:4). John 9:7⁷And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing. (John 9:7).

The world and its inhabitants once destroyed by. Gen. 7:20-23²⁰Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered. ²¹And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: ²²All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died. ²³And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark. (Genesis 7:20‑23), with 2 Peter 3:6⁶Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: (2 Peter 3:6).

The world not to be again destroyed by. Gen. 9:8-15⁸And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying, ⁹And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you; ¹⁰And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth. ¹¹And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. ¹²And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: ¹³I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. ¹⁴And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: ¹⁵And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. (Genesis 9:8‑15). 2 Peter 3:7⁷But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. (2 Peter 3:7).

ILLUSTRATIVE

Of the support of God. Isa. 8:6⁶Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son; (Isaiah 8:6).

Of the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit. Isa. 41:17, 18¹⁷When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. ¹⁸I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. (Isaiah 41:17‑18). Isa. 44:3³For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: (Isaiah 44:3). Ezek. 36:25²⁵Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. (Ezekiel 36:25). John 7:38, 39³⁸He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. ³⁹(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) (John 7:38‑39).

Of persecutors. Psa. 124:4, 5⁴Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul: ⁵Then the proud waters had gone over our soul. (Psalm 124:4‑5).

Of persecutions. Psa. 88:17¹⁷They came round about me daily like water; they compassed me about together. (Psalm 88:17).

Of hostile armies. Isa. 8:7⁷Now therefore, behold, the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory: and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks: (Isaiah 8:7). Isa. 17:13¹³The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind. (Isaiah 17:13).

(Still,) of the ordinances of the gospel. Psa. 23:2²He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. (Psalm 23:2).

(Deep,) of severe affliction. Psa. 66:12¹²Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place. (Psalm 66:12). Psa. 69:1¹<<To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, A Psalm of David.>> Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. (Psalm 69:1). Isa. 30:20²⁰And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers: (Isaiah 30:20). Isa. 43:2²When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. (Isaiah 43:2).

(Deep,) of counsel in the heart. Prov. 20:5⁵Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out. (Proverbs 20:5).

(Deep,) of the words of the wise. Prov. 18:4⁴The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. (Proverbs 18:4).

(Poured out,) of the wrath of God. Hos. 5:10¹⁰The princes of Judah were like them that remove the bound: therefore I will pour out my wrath upon them like water. (Hosea 5:10).

(Poured out,) of faintness by terror. Psa. 22:14¹⁴I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. (Psalm 22:14).

(Pouring, out of buckets,) of a numerous progeny. Num. 24:7⁷He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. (Numbers 24:7).

(Spilled on the ground,) of death. 2 Sam. 14:14¹⁴For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him. (2 Samuel 14:14).

(Its instability,) of a wavering disposition. Gen. 49:4⁴Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch. (Genesis 49:4).

(Its weakness,) of faintness and cowardice. Josh. 7:5⁵And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water. (Joshua 7:5). Ezek. 7:17¹⁷All hands shall be feeble, and all knees shall be weak as water. (Ezekiel 7:17).

(Difficulty of stopping,) of strife and contention. Prov. 17:14¹⁴The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. (Proverbs 17:14).

(Rapidly flowing away,) of the career of the wicked. Job 24:18¹⁸He is swift as the waters; their portion is cursed in the earth: he beholdeth not the way of the vineyards. (Job 24:18). Psa. 58:7⁷Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces. (Psalm 58:7).

(Many,) of different nations and people. Rev. 17:1, 15¹And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: (Revelation 17:1)
¹⁵And he saith unto me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. (Revelation 17:15). Jer. 51:13¹³O thou that dwellest upon many waters, abundant in treasures, thine end is come, and the measure of thy covetousness. (Jeremiah 51:13).

(Many,) of a variety of afflictions. 2 Sam. 22:17¹⁷He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters; (2 Samuel 22:17).

(Noise of many,) of the word of Christ. Rev. 1:15¹⁵And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. (Revelation 1:15).

(Covering the sea,) of the general diffusion of the knowledge of God. Isa. 11:9⁹They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:9). Hab. 2:14¹⁴For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. (Habakkuk 2:14).

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