1/18 Lecture

We discussed the many arguments that surround the question of how to get water from the Gihon Spring to Jerusalem. It is a central question that contributes to the significance and sacredness of Jerusalem, because as stated in the first lecture, every great city needs a water source. However, I was a bit confused about whether the water source in Jerusalem was an important factor in promoting the image of Jerusalem as a holy city. The impression I got from the very first lecture was that Jerusalem actually lacks in factors that one needs for a great city, which included water, sea port, and a trade route. But the reality for Jerusalem was that it had just one spring that was located outside the city in the Kidron Valley. G.A. Smith, referring to Jerusalem, states that the "whole plateau stands aloof, waterless, on the road to nowhere. There are none of the natural conditions of a great city."


On the other hand, in Tuesday's lecture, this water source is much more glamorized and there are, indeed, evidence that supports this idea. Gihon actually means "gushing," and the amount of water it provides is 317 gallons per day, which can support about 2500 people--a very suitable statistic for the ancient Jerusalem population. Also, the excavation of Warren's Shaft not only shed evidence that it connected the Gihon Spring to Siloam Pool, but its correlation to the Bible added validity to its historical existence and significance to the actual water source it's connected to. In addition, there are also Biblical texts that designate Gihon as the site for anointing new kings of Israel, which also increased Gihon's historical and religious significance.


So was Gihon Spring a legitimate water source that contributed to Jerusalem's image as a great city or was it only after Jerusalem developed into a great city that Gihon Spring received recognition?