Water: Kept for Purification in Large Waterpots
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In the cultural and religious context of ancient Israel, water held significant symbolic and practical importance, particularly in the rites of purification. The Gospel of John provides a notable account of water kept for purification in large waterpots, which is both a testament to Jewish customs and a profound illustration of Jesus' miraculous power.

Biblical Account

The primary reference to water kept for purification in large waterpots is found in the Gospel of John, during the wedding at Cana. John 2:6-7 states, "Now six stone water jars had been set there for the Jewish rites of purification. Each could hold from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told the servants, 'Fill the jars with water.' So they filled them to the brim." These stone waterpots were used in accordance with Jewish purification laws, which required ritual washing to maintain ceremonial cleanliness.

Cultural and Religious Significance

In Jewish tradition, purification rituals were integral to religious life, as outlined in the Torah. Water was used to cleanse individuals and objects from ritual impurity, a practice rooted in passages such as Leviticus 11:32 and Numbers 19:17-19. The large stone waterpots at Cana were likely used for such purposes, ensuring that guests at the wedding could perform the necessary ablutions.

The use of stone for these waterpots is significant. Unlike earthenware, stone vessels were not susceptible to ritual impurity, as per Jewish law. This made them ideal for storing water intended for purification, underscoring the importance of maintaining purity in daily and religious activities.

The Miracle at Cana

The transformation of water into wine at the wedding in Cana is the first recorded miracle of Jesus in the Gospel of John. This event is rich with theological symbolism. By using water meant for purification, Jesus not only demonstrated His divine authority but also foreshadowed the new covenant, where purification would come through His sacrifice rather than through ritualistic practices.

John 2:9-11 describes the outcome: "When the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine, not knowing where it had come from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), he called the bridegroom aside and said, 'Everyone serves the fine wine first, and then the cheap wine after the guests are drunk. But you have saved the fine wine until now.' Jesus performed this, the first of His signs, at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him."

Theological Implications

The miracle at Cana is a profound illustration of Jesus' mission to fulfill and transcend the old covenant. The waterpots, symbols of the old purification system, are transformed into vessels of new life and joy through the wine, symbolizing the blood of Christ. This act signifies the transition from the law to grace, from ritual purification to spiritual renewal through faith in Jesus Christ.

In this context, the water kept for purification in large waterpots serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of Christ, who brings about a new creation and offers a deeper, spiritual cleansing that surpasses the physical rituals of the past.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
John 2:6
And there were set there six water pots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Resources
What is the water of life? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of bitter water in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to be born of water? | GotQuestions.org

Water: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Dowsing

Water

Water Baptism

Water in Times of Scarcity, Sold at an Enormous Price

Water of Bitterness or of Jealousy

Water of Hostile Armies

Water of Jealousy

Water of Persecutions

Water of Persecutors

Water of Separation

Water of Separation or of Uncleanness

Water of the Gifts and Graces of the Holy Spirit

Water of the Support of God

Water was Used by Jews for Culinary Purposes

Water was Used by Jews for Legal Purification

Water was Used by Jews for Washing the Person

Water was Used by Jews: As Their Principal Beverage

Water: (Covering the Sea) of the General Diffusion of The

Water: (Deep) of Counsel in the Heart

Water: (Deep) of Severe Affliction

Water: (Deep) of the Words of the Wise

Water: (Difficulty of Stopping) of Strife and Contention

Water: (Its Instability) of a Wavering Disposition

Water: (Its Weakness) of Faintness and Cowardice

Water: (Many) of a Variety of Afflictions

Water: (Many) of Different Nations and People

Water: (Noise of Many) of the Word of Christ

Water: (Poured Out) Faintness by Terror

Water: (Poured Out) the Wrath of God

Water: (Pouring, out of Buckets) a Numerous Progeny

Water: (Rapidly Flowing Away) the Career of the Wicked

Water: (Spilled on the Ground) Death

Water: (Still) the Ordinances of the Gospel

Water: Artificial Mode of Conveying, Into Large Cities

Water: Carried in Vessels

Water: Changed to Wine

Water: City Waterworks

Water: Cleansing

Water: Collected in Brooks

Water: Collected in Fountains

Water: Collected in Ponds

Water: Collected in Pools

Water: Collected in Rivers

Water: Collected in Springs

Water: Collected in Streams

Water: Collected in The Clouds

Water: Collected in The Sea

Water: Collected in Wells

Water: Congealed by Cold

Water: Covered the Whole Earth

Water: Creation of

Water: Daily Allowance of

Water: Domestic Love

Water: Drops from the Clouds in Rain

Water: Fluid

Water: Frequently Brackish and Unfit for Use

Water: God Originally: Collected Into One Place

Water: God Originally: Created Fowls and Fishes From

Water: God Originally: Created the Firmament to Divide

Water: Jesus Walks Upon

Water: Kept for Purification in Large Waterpots

Water: Libation of

Water: Miracles Connected With: Brought from the Jaw-Bone of an Ass

Water: Miracles Connected With: Brought from the Rock

Water: Miracles Connected With: Consumed by Fire from Heaven

Water: Miracles Connected With: Divided and Made to Stand on Heap

Water: Miracles Connected With: Healing Powers Communicated To

Water: Miracles Connected With: Iron Made to Swim In

Water: Miracles Connected With: Our Lord Walking On

Water: Miracles Connected With: Trenches Filled With

Water: Miracles Connected With: Turned Into Blood

Water: Miracles Connected With: Turned Into Wine

Water: Miraculously Supplied: To Jehoshaphat's Army

Water: Miraculously Supplied: To Samson

Water: Miraculously Supplied: To the Israelites

Water: Necessary to the Comfort and Happiness of Man

Water: Necessary to Vegetation

Water: One of the Elements of the World

Water: Penetrating

Water: Purified by Elisha

Water: Red Sea Divided

Water: Reflecting Images

Water: Refreshing

Water: Rises in Vapour to the Clouds

Water: some Plants Particularly Require

Water: Symbolical

Water: The Jordan River

Water: The Want of, Considered a Great Calamity

Water: The World and Its Inhabitants Once Destroyed By

Water: The World not to be Again Destroyed By

Water: Turned Into Blood

Water: Unstable

Water: Vision of, by Ezekiel

Water: Water of Affliction

Water: Water of Life

Water: Water of Salvation

Water: Wearing the Hardest Substances

Related Terms

Water-spring (16 Occurrences)

Water-vessel (14 Occurrences)

Water-springs (12 Occurrences)

Water-hole (25 Occurrences)

Water-courses (9 Occurrences)

Water-holes (8 Occurrences)

Water-plants (7 Occurrences)

Water-gate (5 Occurrences)

Water-brooks (6 Occurrences)

Water-doorway (4 Occurrences)

Water-streams (4 Occurrences)

Drinking-water (4 Occurrences)

Water-vessels (2 Occurrences)

Water-jugs (2 Occurrences)

Water-town (2 Occurrences)

Water-hen (2 Occurrences)

Water-jug (1 Occurrence)

Water-pipe (1 Occurrence)

Water-door (1 Occurrence)

Water-spouts (1 Occurrence)

Water-flood (1 Occurrence)

Water-skins (1 Occurrence)

Water-pot (1 Occurrence)

Water's (2 Occurrences)

Water-skin (1 Occurrence)

Snow-water (1 Occurrence)

Sail (32 Occurrences)

Springing (16 Occurrences)

Springs (59 Occurrences)

Ablution

Cleansing (37 Occurrences)

Snow (25 Occurrences)

Streaming (16 Occurrences)

Shepherd (76 Occurrences)

Causeth (209 Occurrences)

Swell (9 Occurrences)

Knee-deep (1 Occurrence)

Compacted (3 Occurrences)

Soak (1 Occurrence)

Shoal (2 Occurrences)

Swim (8 Occurrences)

Sooner (21 Occurrences)

Storing (10 Occurrences)

Swamp (1 Occurrence)

Shiloah (1 Occurrence)

Valleys (38 Occurrences)

Siloah (1 Occurrence)

Shelah (18 Occurrences)

Aqueduct (4 Occurrences)

Siloam (4 Occurrences)

Separation (50 Occurrences)

Streams (80 Occurrences)

Kneel (10 Occurrences)

Sprinkling (48 Occurrences)

Crystal (7 Occurrences)

Agitated (9 Occurrences)

Stank (6 Occurrences)

Shihor (5 Occurrences)

Sink (16 Occurrences)

Soap (4 Occurrences)

Sluice

Shrink (10 Occurrences)

Scant (4 Occurrences)

Adultery (49 Occurrences)

Hyssop (12 Occurrences)

Augury (5 Occurrences)

Cistern (21 Occurrences)

Arabah (32 Occurrences)

Sprinkle (37 Occurrences)

Camest (27 Occurrences)

Salim (1 Occurrence)

Siddim (3 Occurrences)

Adullam (10 Occurrences)

Slope (29 Occurrences)

Camped (100 Occurrences)

Ceremonially (38 Occurrences)

Vast (54 Occurrences)

Yields (21 Occurrences)

Water: Jesus Walks Upon
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