RESERVOIR (מִקְוֶה֮, H5224, meaning cistern or reservoir). A place for the storage of water.

The general climate of Pal. made it necessary for the ancient people to devise ways of preserving their water supply through the dry months from May through September. The rocky terrain provided convenient opportunity for water storage with minimal effort. The rain or spring water was channeled into these storage facilities (i.e. cisterns, Heb. בּﯴר, H1014), and with care could be kept palatable for a considerable time. An adequate supply of water was vital at all times, esp. during siege (cf. 2 Chron 32:3, 4). The word “ditch” in Isaiah 22:11 KJV is a poor tr. of the Heb. מִקְוֶה֮, H5224. It comes from a verb which means “to collect” (i.e., nations in Jer 3:17 and waters in Gen 1:9). Proper precision in terminology requires a reservoir as a “storage” facility, a conduit (or aqueduct as a “transportation” facility, and a well (Heb. עַ֫יִנ֒, H6524) as a living spring. See Cistern; Pool.