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.