Fountain of the Virgin

The perennial source from which the Pool of Siloam (q.v.) is "supplied, the waters flowing in a copious stream to it through a" "tunnel cut through the rock, the actual length of which is 1,750" feet. The spring rises in a cave 20 feet by 7. A serpentine "tunnel 67 feet long runs from it toward the left, off which the" tunnel to the Pool of Siloam branches. It is the only unfailing fountain in Jerusalem. "The fountain received its name from the "fantastic legend" that here the virgin washed the swaddling-clothes of our Lord. "This spring has the singular characteristic of being "intermittent, flowing from three to five times daily in winter," "twice daily in summer, and only once daily in autumn. This" peculiarity is accounted for by the supposition that the outlet from the reservoir is by a passage in the form of a siphon.

Related Bible Dictionary Terms:
Fountain    Jezreel Fountain of    Virgin