Archaeology

Jacob’s Well

During the 4th century, a Christian church was built at the site of Jacob’s Well. Several centuries later, the Crusaders came upon the church building and found it in ruins. They rebuilt it only to have it destroyed again during the 12th century. It lay dormant until it was unearthed again in 1838 by Robinson, who discovered the entrance to the well’s mouth.
Recommend To A Friend
Audio Options: MP3

Jacob’s Well

Article#: 748

The Bible is a reliable history book and the shovels of archaeology continually discover and reaffirm its credibility. This subject today will again certify its veracity.

GOD SAID, John 4: 5-6:

5 Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.

6 Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.

Jesus came to drink at the well that the patriarch Jacob (later to be called Israel) had dug nearly 4,000 years before.

MAN SAID: The Biblical account of Jacob’s Well does not deserve attention because it is not a reliable historical record.

Now THE RECORD. There in fact is a well that is commonly known by Samaritans, Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike as "Jacob’s Well," the very one which Jacob dug and also the one where Jesus conversed with the Samaritan woman. Jacob’s well is located 1/2 mile south of Sychar on the high road from Jerusalem. This one very authentic site is found near Joseph’s tomb on land which his father Jacob had purchased.

The Samaritan tradition of Jacob’s Well dates back 23 centuries. It was attested to by the woman at the well who said to Jesus in John 4:12:

Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?

During the 4th century, a Christian church was built at the site of Jacob’s Well. Several centuries later, the Crusaders came upon the church building and found it in ruins. They rebuilt it only to have it destroyed again during the 12th century. It lay dormant until it was unearthed again in 1838 by Robinson, who discovered the entrance to the well’s mouth. He measured the depth of Jacob’s Well at 105 feet. Later in 1881, Dr. C.A. Barclay excavated around the well. He found that because debris had fallen into the well, at that time it measured only 67 feet deep. Later it was cleaned out and restored to its original depth. Today, a Greek Christian church that had purchased the site built their church right over the well. Water from Jacob’s Well is sold in small collectors’ bottles and carried all over the world.

The well’s mouth measures 7’ 6" in circumference and the water is cool and refreshing. The well is supplied by two water sources: surface water as well as an underground source. After nearly 4,000 years, Jacob’s well continues to quench the thirst of its visitors.

Is the record that God left us in His Holy Bible true? Can we rely on it? Will it stand up in the face of the skeptics and detractors? Jacob’s Well says, "Yes."

GOD SAID, John 4: 5-6:

5 Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.

6 Now Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.

MAN SAID: The Biblical account of Jacob’s Well does not deserve attention because it is not a reliable historical record.

Now you have THE RECORD.




References:

King James Bible

Owen, G.F., Archaeological Supplement, B.B. Kirkbridge Bible Co.

Visits: 19120