Living Waters: φρέαρ (Strong’s G5421: phrear) Reveals Ancient Well Wisdom

Strong’s G5421: A noun denoting a well, pit, or shaft dug into the earth, often for water collection. In ancient Near Eastern culture, wells were crucial gathering places and sources of life, carrying deep social and spiritual significance.

U – Unveiling the Word

φρέαρ represents more than just a physical well or pit in biblical usage. In ancient Near Eastern culture, wells were centers of community life, places of meeting, and symbols of God’s provision. They served as crucial gathering spots where significant encounters occurred and covenants were made. In the New Testament, the word appears in contexts that highlight both its practical and metaphorical significance. The early church fathers often used well imagery to discuss spiritual refreshment and the depths of divine truth. Today, φρέαρ reminds us of both God’s practical provision and the spiritual depths we must plumb to find living water.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: φρέαρ, phrear, FREH-ar
• Detailed Pronunciation: FREH (as in ‘fresh’) + ar (as in ‘car’)
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• Root: φρε- (phre-) – indicating a well or pit
• Ending: -αρ (neuter noun ending)

D – Defining Meanings

• A well (for water)
• A pit or shaft dug in the ground
• An abyss or deep hole

Translation Options:

• “well” – emphasizing its primary function as a water source
• “pit” – highlighting its physical characteristics
• “shaft” – emphasizing its constructed nature

E – Exploring Similar Words

• πηγή (pege, pay-GAY) – a spring or fountain, emphasizing flowing water – See G4077
• λάκκος (lakkos, LAK-kos) – a cistern or pit, usually man-made – See G2998
• ἄβυσσος (abussos, A-boos-sos) – bottomless pit, emphasizing depth – See G12

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Nominal Features:

• Case: Nominative/Accusative/Vocative
• Number: Singular
• Gender: Neuter
• Declension: Third

The word can appear in different forms:

• φρέαρ (nominative/accusative singular)
• φρέατος (genitive singular)
• φρέατι (dative singular)

Cross-reference: φρεατιαῖος (phreatiaios) – adjective meaning “belonging to a well”

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

The major lexicons provide rich insight into φρέαρ. BDAG emphasizes its distinction from natural springs, noting it specifically refers to dug wells. Thayer’s highlights its usage in both literal and metaphorical contexts. LSJ provides extensive classical references showing its consistent meaning across Greek literature. Vine’s notes its importance in biblical narratives. Strong’s connects it to ancient Near Eastern culture, while Moulton and Milligan cite papyri showing its common usage in property documents. The LEH adds perspective from Septuagint usage, where wells play crucial roles in patriarchal narratives.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Luke 14:5: “And He answered them, saying, ‘Which of you shall have a donkey or an ox fall into a well [φρέαρ], and will not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day?'”

Additional References:
John 4:11
John 4:12
Revelation 9:1
Revelation 9:2

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

φρέαρ embodies both physical and spiritual dimensions in biblical usage. While representing literal wells that sustained life in ancient times, it also points to deeper spiritual truths. Jesus used well imagery to discuss living water, and the woman at the well encounter shows how these gathering places became sites of divine revelation. The word reminds us that just as wells provided essential water in arid lands, Christ offers living water to satisfy our spiritual thirst. It testifies to God’s provision, both physical and spiritual, and His desire to meet us at our points of daily need.

D – Did You Know?

• Ancient wells were often sites of marriage arrangements in biblical narratives
• The depth of ancient wells could exceed 100 feet
• In Revelation, φρέαρ takes on apocalyptic significance as the “bottomless pit”

Strong’s G5421: A noun referring to a well or pit, particularly one dug for water. In biblical contexts, wells were significant as gathering places and sources of life. The word carries both literal meaning as a water source and metaphorical significance in spiritual contexts.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: well, water, provision, meeting-place, pit, shaft, community, sustenance, biblical-culture, ancient-near-east, water-source, divine-provision