Ancient Water Rites in Various Cultures

As a young child I can recall hearing mythical stories involving some watery milieu, the legend of Jonah in the belly of a large whale—Jonah prayed and the whale spit Jonah out onto dry land, the story of Noah and the ark—all who entered into the ark would be saved from a flood that would wipe out all civilization on earth, Moses and the Hebrew people crossing the Red Sea—they were delivered or saved from Pharaoh and, Jesus being baptized by John in the Jordan River while a dove descended over Jesus. The mythic dimension of these stories has been repeated for generations, including by great storytellers like my parents and grandparents. The Jonah, Noah, Moses and Jesus myths serve only to provide a means to explicate that myths and/or legends about water are numerous and have existed throughout the ages.

In this chapter I begin by surveying how water functioned as a symbol in primeval water myths. I will then focus on water rites in the Hebrew Bible and conclude by exploring how and why water rites were executed in the communities of the Essenes and the Pharisees prior to the Jesus movement. As I explore water myths of various peoples I find it useful to call attention to Eliade's explanation of myth functions and rituals. The main function of a myth Eliade asserts is "to determine the exemplar models of all ritual, and of all significant human acts."

Primeval Water Myths, Legends and Symbolization

Water myths and beliefs have long been embraced by various peoples dating back to primeval times. Water symbolization is very much a part of creation myths. The Torah tells of creation beginning when God created the heavens and earth; earth was a formless void and darkness was upon the waters and God spoke light into existence. God spoke all creation into existence and gave order to chaos in creation: "Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place ..." and "God called the ... waters that were gathered together ... Seas." (Gen. 1:9-10) Polynesian creation myth too tells of a void with the existence only of primordial waters, cosmic darkness when Io, the supreme god, awakened and light appeared and the heavens were formed. Io spoke the world into existence. Water, Eliade explains "... is fons et origo, the source of all possible existence." Eliade's theory on water captures the essence of water in creation:

In cosmogony, in myth, ritual and iconography, water fills the same function in whatever type of cultural pattern we find it; it precedes all forms and upholds all creation. Immersion in water symbolizes a return to the pre-formal, a total regeneration, a new birth, for immersion means a dissolution of forms, a reintegration into the formlessness of pre-existence; and emerging from the water is a repetition of the act of creation in which form was first expressed. Every contact with water implies regeneration: first, because dissolution is succeeded by a "new birth", and then because immersion fertilizes, increases the potential of life and of creation. In initiation rituals, water confers a "new birth", in magic rituals it heals, and in funeral rites it assures rebirth after death. Because it incorporates in itself all potentiality, water becomes a symbol of life ("living water").

Considering this statement, we can deduce that water symbolization embodies an overall connection in creation.

Dating back to prehistoric times civilizations have used hieroglyphs for water patterns or images to portray beliefs. Rites involving water use were often seen in non-Jewish pagan religions. Other myths and legends told of ancient creation beliefs involving water include the Babylonian creation legend that speaks of a watery chaos. Since primitive times myths believed by various peoples have conceived water as an element linked with the moon and a woman as the path of fertility for man and the universe. Eliade asserts, "At every level of existence, water is a source of life." Of fertilization Eliade states, "Water nourishes life, rain fertilizes as does the semen virile. In the erotic symbolism of the creation, the sky embraces and fertilizes the earth with rain. This same symbolism is found universally." Further expounding on water symbolization Eliade states, "In initiation rituals, water confers a "new birth..." and "immersion in water symbolizes ... a total regeneration."

Mesopotamians, Wakuta and Trobriand Islanders, Pima Indians all believed some mythical tradition connected to water. Water has been referred to as Mother Earth, Living Water; it has served as a medicinal component. Even today, the phrase "fountain of youth" is used universally. Eliade asserts, "Karaja Indians in Brazil recall a mythological time when `they still lived in the water." Another mythical water ritual includes newborn babies in Mexico being consecrated to the goddess of waters, Chalchihuitlycue Chalchiuhtlatonac. This was part of a baptismal washing ritual that involved being immersed in water. The baptismal washing is symbolic of cleansing newborn babes of the sins and imperfections passed on to them by their parents. In the Hebrew Bible the deluge presents an example of water as a symbol of deliverance.

Since the rise of civilization in the ancient Near East water has been used for its purifying properties. Primeval water myths, legends and symbols practiced by various peoples and/or cultures are mentioned here as examples that serve as precursors to the focus of this thesis, water rites in Judaism as background for Spirit baptism in Luke-Acts. Myriad religious traditions used ceremonial water rites in ancient times including the Jews.

Water Rites in Judaism Prior to the Jesus Movement

Moving along towards the crux of this writing I will now discuss water rights in Judaism notably prior to the Jesus Movement. During the tribal confederacy period of Hebrew/Jewish civilization around 1250 B.C.E., the priests were required by commandment of God punishable by death, to use the water in the laver to wash their hands and feet before entering the Tabernacle in the wilderness at Sinai (Exodus 30). So we find that the Hebrew/Jewish people have adhered to an elaborate system of water purification rituals long before the Common Era. Purification lustration ceremonies have been performed using water for healing and cleansing in a religious and physical sense since primitive times. The Hebrew Bible records God giving Moses instructions on the techniques of purification rites when a person suffered a disease or physical impurity.

A person suffering from the disease of leprosy, for instance, was required to undergo a mandatory intricate purification cleansing ritual. During one fraction of the purification process the leper was required to bathe his body in water and wash his clothes. Purification rites were administered by a priest (Leviticus chapter 14). The Torah is saturated with accounts of God's commandments to Hebrew peoples regarding water purification rituals (e.g., Ex. 40:12, 30-32; Lev. 8:6;...