(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).