אֶגֶל
a reservoir
Definition
The Hebrew noun אֶגֶל (ʼegel) refers to a reservoir or a collection of water, specifically a pool or pond formed by gathering water. In its sole biblical occurrence in Job 38:28, it is poetically paired with 'dew' and 'rain,' describing a source from which rain emerges. The term emphasizes water that has been collected or channeled, rather than a natural spring. It conveys the idea of a contained, gathered body of water, likely used for irrigation or drinking in arid regions.
Biblical Usage
This word appears only once in the Old Testament, in the poetic book of Job. In Job 38:28, God uses it rhetorically while questioning Job about the mysteries of creation: 'Does the rain have a father? Or who fathers the drops of dew? From whose womb does the ice come? Who gives birth to the frost of heaven?' (referring to water sources). Here, אֶגֶל is translated as 'dew' in some versions (like the KJV) but contextually fits as a reservoir or source from which rain is drawn, highlighting God's sovereign provision and the hidden origins of natural phenomena.
Etymology
אֶגֶל derives from an unused Hebrew root meaning 'to flow down' or 'to gather together,' suggesting the flowing or collecting of liquid drops. It is related to the idea of water droplets coalescing into a pool. Cognates in other Semitic languages, like Akkadian 'eglu,' also refer to a pool or pond, reinforcing this sense of a collected water source.
Semantic Range
Though a rare word, אֶגֶל carries theological weight in its single use. In Job 38:28, it contributes to a profound discourse on God's wisdom and sovereignty over creation. By referencing a reservoir as a source of rain, it underscores that even the most fundamental natural processes—like rainfall—are under divine control and originate from God's provision. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Job by highlighting the poetic imagery of God as the ultimate source and sustainer of life's necessities, inviting reflection on human dependence on the Creator.
In the ancient Near Eastern context, reservoirs were vital for survival in semi-arid regions like Israel. They were man-made or natural collections of rainwater used for agriculture, livestock, and drinking. The term אֶגֶל would have evoked practical knowledge of water management and the preciousness of stored water. This cultural reality makes the poetic use in Job more impactful, as listeners would intimately understand the importance of a reliable water source, thus amplifying the metaphor of God as the provider of all sustenance.
בּוֹר (bor, H953) — a cistern or pit for water, often man-made and dug into the ground. | בְּאֵר (beʼer, H875) — a well, a deep source of spring water. | אֲגַם (ʼagam, H98) — a pool or marsh, typically a natural collection of water.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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