the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Bible Dictionaries
Enrogel
Fausset's Bible Dictionary
or ("fountain of feet".) So called because fullers trod their cloth with the feet here. On the border between Benjamin and Judah (Joshua 15:7; Joshua 18:16). At a lower level than Jerusalem, as "descended" implies. At the southern extremity of the valley of Hinnom near its junction with the valley of Jehoshaphat. Here Jonathan and Ahimaaz remained to receive intelligence for David from within the walls (2 Samuel 17:17). Here also by the stone Zoheleth Adonijah held his feast preparatory to claiming the throne (1 Kings 1:9). The site is by many thought to be that now called "the well of Nehemiah," and by the natives" the well of Job," Bir-eyub. The spot is one of the most fertile round Jerusalem. The well is 125 ft. deep, and in winter usually full; it is walled up and arched above.
But Behar (Land of Promise) argues for Ain Umm ed daraj, "spring of the mother of steps," namely, the steps by which the reservoir is reached; "the Fountain of the Virgin," the only real spring near Jerusalem (Bir-eyub is a well, not a spring); which if not meant will be (what is not likely) unmentioned in the Bible. This spring suits better, as being nearer Jerusalem than Bir-eyub, which is too far for 2 Samuel 17:17, and altogether away from the direct road over Olivet to Jordan, and too much in full view of the city for Jonathan's and Ahimaaz' secret purpose. Daraj and Rogelare related names. The Fount of the Virgin is still the women's place of resort for washing and treading clothes; and it is above the king's gardens and so suitable for irrigation, which Bir-eyub is not. Ganneau found the stone of Zoheleth in the village of Siloam under the name Zehweile. This identifies Enrogel with the Fountain of the Virgin.
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Fausset, Andrew R. Entry for 'Enrogel'. Fausset's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/fbd/e/enrogel.html. 1949.
