### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew verb shâʼab (שָׁאַב, `{{H7579}}`) is a primitive root primarily signifying the act of "drawing water." Its core meaning revolves around the physical labor involved in extracting water from a well, spring, or cistern. This often entails using a bucket, pitcher, or other vessel to lift the water from its source. The semantic range is quite narrow, focusing almost exclusively on this specific action. While literal, the act itself is profoundly significant within the arid biblical world, where water is a precious and life-sustaining resource. The term inherently implies effort, provision, and the meeting of fundamental needs.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of shâʼab throughout the Hebrew Bible consistently reinforce its literal meaning of drawing water, often highlighting key social, covenantal, or symbolic interactions.
One prominent context is the provision of water for travelers and flocks, particularly in the patriarchal narratives. In [[Genesis 24]], Rebekah's willingness to "draw water" (שָׁאַב) not only for Abraham's servant but also for his numerous camels ([[Genesis 24:13]], [[Genesis 24:19]], [[Genesis 24:20]]) serves as a divinely orchestrated sign of her suitability as Isaac's wife. Her industriousness and generosity in performing this laborious task are central to the narrative, showcasing a virtuous character. Similarly, the daughters of Jethro "draw water" (שָׁאַב) for their father's flock in [[Exodus 2:16]], a scene where Moses intervenes to protect them from aggressive shepherds, leading to his welcome into Jethro's household.
Another significant usage appears in the account of the Gibeonites. As a consequence of their deception, Joshua curses them to become "hewers of wood and drawers of water" (שָׁאַב) for the congregation and the altar of the Lord ([[Joshua 9:21]], [[Joshua 9:23]], [[Joshua 9:27]]). Here, shâʼab denotes a menial, subservient, and perpetual task, symbolizing their subjugation and their role in serving the Israelite community and its worship.
Beyond these narratives of daily life and social interaction, shâʼab also appears in contexts with deeper symbolic resonance. In [[1 Samuel 7:6]], during a time of national repentance, the Israelites "drew water" (שָׁאַב) and poured it out before the Lord. This act is not for consumption but is a symbolic gesture of humility, self-abasement, and perhaps a pouring out of their very lives in contrition before God. It signifies a profound spiritual act, transforming a mundane task into a ritual of devotion.
Perhaps the most profound symbolic usage is found in [[Isaiah 12:3]]: "With joy you will draw water (שָׁאַב) from the wells of salvation." Here, the physical act of drawing water becomes a metaphor for receiving God's abundant grace, deliverance, and spiritual refreshment. The "wells of salvation" are not literal but represent the inexhaustible source of divine blessing and joy available to those who trust in the Lord.
### Related Words & Concepts
The verb shâʼab is intimately connected with several other Hebrew terms and concepts that illuminate its significance:
* **Water (מַיִם, `{{H4325}}`):** The direct object of shâʼab is always water, the most fundamental element for life in the ancient Near East. The scarcity and importance of water underscore the value of the act of drawing it.
* **Well/Spring (בְּאֵר, `{{H875}}`; עַיִן, `{{H5869}}`):** These are the primary sources from which water is "drawn." Wells and springs were vital communal gathering places, sites of significant encounters (e.g., Jacob and Rachel at the well, Moses and Zipporah), and often indicators of prosperity and settlement.
* **Thirst (צָמָא, `{{H6778}}`):** The act of drawing water directly addresses the need to quench thirst, both literally and, as seen in Isaiah, spiritually.
* **Provision/Sustenance:** shâʼab is a verb of provision. It speaks to the effort required to secure a basic necessity for survival, whether for individuals, families, or entire communities and their livestock.
* **Hospitality:** The willingness to draw water, especially for strangers or their animals, was a profound act of hospitality, a highly valued virtue in ancient Israelite culture. Rebekah's actions in [[Genesis 24]] exemplify this.
* **Service/Labor:** The act of drawing water was often laborious and frequently assigned to women or those in a subservient role (e.g., the Gibeonites), highlighting its association with service and physical toil.
### Theological Significance
The seemingly simple act of shâʼab (drawing water) carries layers of theological significance within the biblical narrative:
1. **Divine Provision and Sustenance:** Water is a gift from God, essential for life. The act of drawing it reminds humanity of its dependence on God as the ultimate provider. In a land prone to drought, the availability of water, and the ability to access it, was a direct sign of God's blessing or judgment. God is the "fountain of living waters" ([[Jeremiah 2:13]]), and the act of shâʼab from these sources is an act of receiving divine life.
2. **Covenant and Encounter:** Wells, as places where water was drawn, frequently served as sites of significant encounters and covenant-making. Isaac's servants digging wells ([[Genesis 26]]) and the disputes over them underscore their importance in establishing territory and peace. The act of shâʼab often sets the stage for divine intervention or the unfolding of God's redemptive plan, as seen with Rebekah and Isaac.
3. **Symbol of Spiritual Refreshment and Salvation:** The most profound theological application is found in [[Isaiah 12:3]], where "drawing water from the wells of salvation" transforms the physical act into a metaphor for spiritual joy and deliverance. This imagery anticipates later New Testament themes of Jesus as the "living water" ([[John 4:10-14]]; [[John 7:37-38]]), where spiritual thirst is quenched by divine grace and the Holy Spirit. The Old Testament act of shâʼab thus prefigures the profound spiritual satisfaction found in God's redemptive work.
4. **Humility and Service:** The association of shâʼab with laborious tasks and subservient roles (e.g., the Gibeonites) highlights the theme of humility and service. It demonstrates that even the most mundane and physically demanding tasks can be imbued with spiritual meaning, whether as a consequence of sin or as an act of willing devotion. The pouring out of water in [[1 Samuel 7:6]] exemplifies a humble and contrite heart before the Lord.
### Summary
The Hebrew verb shâʼab (שָׁאַב, `{{H7579}}`) denotes the fundamental act of "drawing water," a critical activity in the arid ancient Near East. While literally describing the physical labor of extracting water from wells or springs, its biblical occurrences imbue it with rich layers of meaning. From the virtuous acts of hospitality performed by Rebekah and Jethro's daughters, ensuring the sustenance of life and flocks, to the imposed servitude of the Gibeonites, shâʼab consistently highlights themes of provision, labor, and social interaction. Most significantly, it transcends its literal meaning to become a powerful metaphor for spiritual refreshment and salvation, as joyfully drawing from the "wells of salvation" in Isaiah. The act of shâʼab thus serves as a tangible reminder of humanity's dependence on God's divine provision, the significance of humble service, and the profound spiritual nourishment available through His grace.