En Rogel, En-Rogel
Fountain southeast of Jerusalem.
Description
A large rectangular basin, covered and enclosed on all sides except one. A well, a large covered well, the largest I have ever seen. It is bigger than that of the Samaritan and must give more Water because the ground around it benefits from its nourishment and shows great fertility, which contrasts with the arid and sepulchral Kidron valley that can be partially glimpsed to the northwest. Only a construction of cut stones, like those of the well and its cover, could have resisted the humidity of the soil. And the stones, which without being an expert one can judge as ancient, resist, black and massive, to protect the precious Water.
The place is pleasant, both for its fertility and because behind it, to the north, there are vast gardens planted with trees of all kinds, raising their leafy crowns against the gray sky that descends on the city, and in front, to the south, the Kidron valley whose bed widens and carries more abundant Waters.[1]
Notable facts
It was at this well of the Rogel fountain that the uncertain and disappointed three Magi from the East stayed, because the Star that had led them from so far had disappeared here. They prayed all night to see it again, and the following night their prayer was answered. Jesus gave a discourse there on faithfulness to the spiritual king:
"remember that near the fountain of En Rogel, the Source of Wisdom gave you to drink its waters"[2].
Its name
En Rogel (Enroguel – Ein Rogel) means "the fountain of the fuller". Also known as the well of Nehemiah or well of Job or additionally source of the Fuller.
Where is it mentioned in the work?
EMV 493
EMV 515 EMV 516.1 EMV 519.5 EMV 536.2 EMV 538.4 EMV 570.3 EMV 588.8 EMV 590.1 EMV 598.2
Learn more about this place
The fountain of En Roguel refers to two troubled episodes of the reign of David: The revolt of his son Absalom first. Hushai, friend of David, pretends to side with the cause of the rebel son to better inform David. He does so through Jonathan, son of the high priest Zadok, and Ahimaaz, son of Abiathar, also a high priest. Both hidden in the fountain of En Roguel[3].
Later Adonijah, eldest of the surviving sons of old King David, prepared to proclaim himself king during a banquet at En Roguel. Warned by Bathsheba, David hastily had his chosen son Solomon crowned by Zadok, who remained faithful[4].
The well of En Rogel, by D. Roberts 1840:"En Rogel has witnessed the faithfulness of David's servants and the sin of Adonijah, as it has witnessed the faith of the three Wise Men. It is the same well. Upon its stones and its waters have leaned and drank Jonathan and Ahimaaz, as well as Adonijah and his followers, and the three Wise Men. But the water and the stones have witnessed three different things: a loyalty to King David, a betrayal against David, and a loyalty to God and the King of kings. (...) At this well, a guardian was placed so that no one would contaminate the water. And in addition to the guardian, walls and a roof were given to it so that wind would not carry leaves or garbage inside that would dirty the precious water."[5]. All these abundant details are entirely accurate, which will surprise no faithful readers of Maria Valtorta!Flavius Josephus indicates that the source was located near the royal gardens[6], as is also confirmed by Maria Valtorta's account. (See King's Gardens[7])
Explore
- 31° 45' 50" N / 35° 14' 10" E
- +630m
Notes and references
Article partially written from the Geographical Dictionary of the Gospel Salton Maria Valtorta, by Jean-François Lavère.
- ↑ EMV 493.
- ↑ EMV 493.
- ↑ 2 Samuel 17:17.
- ↑ 1 Kings 1:5-10.
- ↑ EMV 493.4
- ↑ Jewish Antiquities VII, 14,4.
- ↑ Geographical Dictionary of the Gospel Salton M.V.