How many times is water mentioned in the Bible? (what does the Bible say about water?)

Last Sunday, I took the congregants through the meaning of water and its significance in Christianity. We looked at the different scenarios where the Bible mentions water while trying to understand its meaning. I paused a question to the congregation as a take-home question: ‘ How many times is water mentioned in the Bible?’

Join me as we look at what the Bible says about water in the write-up below. Various Bible verses and examples of stories mention water, which we will delve into. Also, understand the importance of water in Christianity and the different bodies of water discussed in the Bible. We will have to look at that; read on to learn more about water in the Bible.

Where does water appear first in the Bible?

The word water first appears in Genesis 1:2, which is the beginning. It is part of the verse that talks of the Spirit of God moving over the water, which signifies God’s presence. The verse reminds us that the Spirit of God was present from the beginning when the earth was void.

In this regard, water holds a significant connection with God. It also shows that water is essential in life, such that it was present at the beginning. Water was present before describing other things in the universe, which signifies life.

What are six examples of water stories in the Bible?

There are several stories in the scripture which feature water. Let’s start with one where Jesus walked on water. In Mathew 14:22-23, Jesus walked on water towards his disciples who were on a boat. It is one of the miracles that showed Jesus’ power.

John 2:1-11, we get another instance during the wedding Jesus attended in Cana in Galilee where he turned water into wine. It served a great purpose in his ministerial work as it was among the first miracles he performed.

In the Old Testament, when reading through Genesis, one of the greatest stories is Noah and the Floods. Genesis 6:17 says God sent the vast waters to wash away all that was on earth except Noah and His family.

When Moses led the Israelites from Egypt, the water paved the way for their journey. In Exodus 14:21, God created a path for the Israelites to pass through the Red Sea. He protected them from the Egyptians, who were swept away by the same waters the Israelites passed through.

2 Kings 5:1-14 is another example where the waters of river Jordan cured Naaman of leprosy. It is one of the many other stories where water was a medium through which God displayed His greatness.

What is the importance of water in Christianity?

Purification

John baptized people in the water, even Jesus himself. In this essence, water signifies purification. It washes away the sins and past while ushering in the start of a new purified life. In John 13:10, after Jesus washed his disciple’s feet, he said they were clean, which agrees with water as a symbol of purification. Naaman, a leper, received healing through the waters of Jordan, which purified him.

Life and death

There are different water stories in the scripture which signify life and death. During crossing of the Red Sea, God spared the Israelites’ lives with the same waters that killed the Egyptians. In Exodus, Noah built an ark that saved his life and his family’s, but it swept away the lives of living things. From these stories, we see the difference that water has, good and bad.

Connection to God

In John 4:10, Jesus speaks to the Samaritan woman and mentions that God grants living water that springs into everlasting life. It shows the significant connection between God and the waters. Genesis 1:2 says God’s Spirit hovering over the water’s face, a connection between the Holy Spirit, God, and water. We can imply this to mean that water signifies God’s presence.

What Bodies of Water are mentioned in the Bible?

There are different forms of bodies of water mentioned in the Bible. One of them is a river which we come across severally in the scripture. Some are River Nile, River Jordan, and River Euphrates. In Mathew 3:13-17, John the Baptist baptized Jesus in River Jordan. Apart from that, there are several mentions of the River Jordan in the scripture, including when it was used to perform miracles.

Another body of water is the sea, which includes the Red Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Sea of Galilee. Each of these plays a significant role in the scripture. For instance, the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea served as the border for the Israelites.

Bible verses about water

Hebrews 10:22 talks of the state we should be in as we approach God—sincerity of heart, faith, and bodies purified with water.

In Isaiah 43:2, God reassuresHis presence and protection in our lives. It mentions that he will be us when walking through water, and they will not sweep over us.

In Mathew 3:11, John baptizes using water but mentions that a more extraordinary being who will baptize using Holy Spirit and fire will come.

Revelation 21:6 highlights God speaking, saying He will water the thirsty without charge. It further states that the water will be from the spring of the water of life.

Ezekiel 36:25-26 mentions that God will sprinkle clean water on men to cleanse them from impurities.

2 Samuel 22:17 states that David sang a song of praise to God, mentioning that God rescued him from many waters.

John 4:10narrates the conversation Jesus had with a Samaritan woman where He says that God provides living water which quenches all thirst.

John 3:5 mentions a conversation Jesus had with his disciples where he says that unless one is born of water and the Spirit, they cannot enter the Kingdom of God.