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Bible Dictionaries
Bethesda
Morrish Bible Dictionary
or Pool at Jerusalem, near the sheep market or gate, into which an angel occasionally descended and troubled the water. The person who first stepped in after this, was cured of whatever disease he had. John 5:2 . This was a marvellous witness of God's mercy still left to Israel, though it met the need of those only who had sufficient strength to avail themselves of it, and did not reach the most weakly and destitute, whose condition truly sets forth the state of man spiritually. In contrast to the law, which was 'weak through the flesh,' the Son of God was there with life and liberty in His gift. The name signifies 'house of mercy:' cf. Exodus 15:26 , "I am Jehovah that healeth thee."
The large pool, called 'Birket Israil,' near St. Stephen's Gate is the traditional Pool of Bethesda, but its identity is refused by most. There are other tanks in the city, and some prefer the 'fountain of the Virgin' outside of the city; but there is no certainty that any one of them is the pool mentioned in scripture.
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Morrish, George. Entry for 'Bethesda'. Morrish Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/mbd/b/bethesda.html. 1897.
