The Well of Seeing

And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac dwelt by the well Lahairoi. Genesis 25:11

G. Fitzpatrick observed:

"Isaac dwelt in the south country west of Kadesh, by the well Lahairoi. The word Kadesh means "a place of separation". The word Lahairoi means "the well of the living seeing one", or "the well of the vision of life".

A well in the desert country of Palestine was the sign of wealth. It was also the sign of independence. Wells were dug by hand, and it took much time and much hard labor. Today if someone has need of a well, they call out the well driller and they drill down through the earth until they hit water. The well is then cased with steel casing.

In Abraham's day the wells were dug by hand through solid limestone. Sometimes steps were carved in the limestone and the people went into the well with their containers and carried the water out. Other wells used ropes and buckets, or waterskins to draw out the water. Some had water wheels where pitchers were attached to a rope that went down into the water and came up full of water.

Around the mouth of the well was built a low wall. This kept animals and people from falling into the well. Those who owned wells sold their water, or bartered with those who used the well. Wells were most important to the herdsmen in Palestine. Without wells the herds could not exist. Because of this, those who owned the wells generally became very important, wealthy men in the land.

Those who owned wells could maintain larger flocks of sheep. Sheep were also a sign of wealth. Abraham was very wealthy and he passed his wealth to Isaac. Wells are always signs of life. Oasis are planted around wells in the desert. These areas of green are always a contrast to the desolate desert around them.

Isaac dwelt by the Well Lohairoi, or the Well of the Vision of Life in the place of separation. As we view the typology of the Well Lohairoi, it is easy to relate it to the Word of God. The scriptures contain the vision of life and those who have separated themselves [from the world] and apply the Word to their lives become like the Word as Jesus became the Word.

Where there is no vision the people perish. Even those who are called by His name sometimes have no vision. If they are not drinking of the Well Lohairoi, the vision and words of life, they are perishing because they are not being nourished from the water of the well of life."

And as we freely partake of the waters of this well, we are like " a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season;his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."