2S5-20: The Pool of Siloam – Where A Blind Man Saw And The Bible Speaks

Let’s continue to take a closer look at how the water system in the city of David grew over time.

Following “Warren’s Shaft,” the next big project was called the Siloam Channel, also known as the Canaanite Tunnel.

It was built at the start of the 2nd millennium B.C.

This channel begins at the Gihon Spring and stretches about a quarter-mile to the south.

It follows the lower, eastern slope of the City of David, curves around the city’s southern end, and finally empties into a reservoir in the Tyropoeon Valley.

The northern part of the channel is about three feet deep and covered with big stones, while the southern part is open but turns into a rock-cut tunnel near the end.

There were openings along the channel that let water flow out to water the terraces on the city’s eastern slope.

These terraces were used as private gardens, likely by King David himself.

Next, the third and final water system built is one you might have heard of—Hezekiah’s Tunnel.

It was built during the time of King Hezekiah of Judah, near the end of the 8th century B.C.

There’s even a six-line inscription, written in early Hebrew, carved into the rock near the tunnel’s exit.

It tells the story of how the tunnel was made and says something like this:

“Here’s how the breakthrough happened. While the workers were digging with their picks, each group digging toward the other, they were still about three cubits apart. Then, they heard each other’s voices through a crack in the rock—one group was on the south side, and the other was on the north. Finally, the two groups broke through, striking pick against pick. Once the tunnel was connected, water began flowing from the spring to the pool, traveling 1,200 cubits. The rock above the workers was about 100 cubits tall!”

So there can be no doubt that Hezekiah’s Tunnel is the most amazing water system built in the City of David!

The tunnel was carved into the rock under the city and winds its way in an “S” shape for almost half a mile.

What’s even more amazing is that the workers started digging from both ends and met perfectly in the middle.

That’s exactly what the inscription tells us—and they did it without any modern tools!

It’s incredible to think about.

If they had dug in a straight line, the distance between the Gihon Spring and the Siloam Pool would have been only a quarter of a mile.

The tunnel is about 2 feet wide and 6 feet tall in most places, just big enough for someone to walk through.

This last water system is what feeds the recently discovered Pool of Siloam, which we read about in the New Testament.

I’ve never been inside the Canaanite Tunnel or Hezekiah’s Tunnel, but from what I heard, it can be quite harrowing.

Nevertheless, the construction is next-level, really beyond its time.

It’s hard to believe they were built using such simple tools.

During the winter, the water flow is quite robust.

So it’s not unimaginable to see how a big city like this could grow with just the water from the Gihon Spring.

Again, quite incredible if you think about it.

So here’s the takeaway for today.