Irrigation
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Irrigation in the Bible?
Ancient agricultural systems in Palestine, Syria, and Egypt relied on irrigation techniques such as channeling water to gardens through canals, cisterns, and the use of shadufs to sustain crops.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding these agricultural practices clarifies the economic and environmental context of biblical narratives, particularly regarding the dependence on water sources for sustenance and the theological symbolism of water as a provision from God.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Irrigation. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Irrigation in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Irrigation clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Irrigation." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/irrigation/