CISAI (si'sai), (Esth. ii:5). See KISH, 2. CISTERN (sYs'tern), (Heb. "t, bore', well, pit).
In a country which has scarcely more than one perennial stream, where fountains are not abun dant, and where the months of summer pass with out rain, the preservation of the rain water in cisterns must always have been a matter of vast importance, not only in the pasture grounds, but in gardens, and, above all, in towns. Hence the frequent mention of cisterns in Scripture, and more especially of those which arc found in the open country. These were, it seems, the prop erty of those by whom they were formed (Num. xxi :22). They arc usually little more than large pits, but sometimes take the character of exten sive subterranean vaults, open only by a small mouth, like that of a well. They are filled with rain water, and (where the climate allows) with snow during winter, and are then closed at the mouth with large flat stones, over which sand is spread in such a way as to prevent their being easily discovered. If by any chance the waters which the shepherd has thus treasured up are lost by means of an earthquake or some other cas ualty, or arc stolen, both he and his flocks are exposed to great and imminent danger ; as arc also travelers who hasten to a cistern and find its waters gone. For this reason a failure of water is used as the image of any great calamity (Is. xli:17, 18; xliv:3). There is usually a large de posit of mud at the bottom of these cisterns, so that he who falls into them, even when they are without water, is liable to perish, miserably (Gen. xxxvii :22, sq. ; Jer. xxxviii :6 ; Lam. iii :53; Ps. x1:2; lxix :15). Cisterns were sometimes used, when empty, as prisons, and indeed prisons which were constructed underground received the same name, - (Gen. xxxix:2o; x1:15).
In cities the cisterns were works of much labor, for they were either hewn in the rocks or surrounded with subterranean walls, and lined with a fine incrustation. The system which in this respect formerly prevailed in Palestine is, doubtless, the same that exists at present ; and indeed there is every probability that most of the cisterns now in use were constructed in very an cient times. The main dependence of Jerusalem at the present day is on its cisterns, and this has probably always been the case. There are im mense cisterns now and anciently existing with in the area of the temple, supplied partly by rain water and partly by an aqueduct from Solo mon's Pools, and which, of themselves, would furnish a tolerable supply in case of a siege. But, in addition to these, almost every private house in Jerusalem of any size is understood to have at least one or more cisterns, excavated in the soft limestone rock on which the city is built. The cisterns have usually merely a round opening at the top. sometimes built up with stonework
above, and furnished with a curb and a wheel for the bucket, so that they have externally much the appearance of an ordinary well. The water is conducted into them from the roofs of the houses during the rainy season, and, with proper care, remains pure and sweet during the whole summer and autumn. In this manner most of the larger houses and the public buildings are supplied. The Latin convent, in particular, is said to be amply furnished, and in seasons of drought is able to deal out a sufficiency for all the Christian inhabit ants of the city.
Most of these cisterns have undoubtedly come down from ancient times, and their immense ex tent furnishes a full solution of the question as to the supply of water for the city Under the dis advantages of its position in this respect. Jeru salem must necessarily have always heen depend ent on its cisterns; and a city which thus an nually laid in its supply for seven or eight months could never be overtaken by a want of water during a siege. Nor is this a trait peculiar to the Holy City, for the case is the same through out all the hill country of Judah and Benjamin. Fountains and streams are few, as compared with Europe and America, and the inhabitants, there fore, collect water during the rainy season in tanks and cisterns in the cities, in the fields and along the high roads, for the sustenance of them selves and of their flocks and herds and for the comfort of the passing traveler. Many. if not the most, of these are obviously antique, and they exist not unfrequently along the ancient roads which arc now deserted. Thus, on the long-forgotten way from Jericho to Bethel, 'broken cisterns' of high antiquity are found at regular intervals. That Jerusalem was thus ac tually supplied of old with water is apparent also from the numerous remains of ancient cistern: still existing in the tract north of the city, which was once enclosed within the walls, and which modern excavations have investigated carefully.
Figurative. The left ventricle of the heart, which retains the blood till it be redispersed through the body, is called a cistern (Eccles. xii: 6). Wives are called cisterns, as they, when dutiful, arc a great pleasure, assistance and com fort to their husbands (Prow. v:15). The com parison of a wife to a cistern, in the passage Just quoted, means, "Keep at home, wander not to others,"follow not her who says,"Stolen waters are sweet." Idols, armies and outward enjoy ments, when trusted to. are "broken cisterns that can hold no water:" they can afford no solid or lasting happiness and comfort (Jer. :13). They arc soon emptied of all the aid and comfort which they possess and cannot fill themselves again.