THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
A source of living water, meaning that which flows upward from a spring beneath.
Genesis 26:19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers
And they digged in the torrent, and found living water:
וַיַּחְפְּר֥וּ עַבְדֵֽי־יִצְחָ֖ק בַּנָּ֑חַל וַיִּ֨מְצְאוּ־שָׁ֔ם בְּאֵ֖ר מַ֥יִם חַיִּֽים׃
The Church Fathers on this verse
2 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Jerome of Stridon
The text states, "water." In this context, the term "stream" is used instead of "valley," since a source of living water is not typically found in a low area.
In this case, "living water" most likely refers to flowing water. It is noteworthy that both the Hebrew and Latin languages share similar idiomatic expressions: חַיַּים מַיִם and aqua viva.
Cross references
Passages read together with this verse.
- John 7:38He that believeth in me, as the scripture saith: Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
- John 4:10Jesus answered and said to her: If thou didst know the gift of God and who he is that saith to thee: Give me to drink; thou perhaps wouldst have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
- John 4:11The woman saith to him: Sir, thou hast nothing wherein to draw, and the well is deep. From whence then hast thou living water?
- Song 4:15The fountain of gardens: the well of living waters, which run with a strong stream from Libanus.