He bore the flagon to the altar, which occupied a central position in the court of the priests. Here were two silver basins, with a priest standing at each one. The flagon of water was poured into one, and a flagon of wine into the other; and the contents of both flowed into a pipe which communicated with the Kedron, and was conducted to the Dead Sea. This display of the consecrated water represented the fountain that at the command of God had gushed from the rock to quench the thirst of the children of Israel. Then the jubilant strains rang forth, "The Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song;" "therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." Isa. 12:2, 3.

Han bar flasken hen til alteret, som indtog midterpladsen i præsternes gård. Her stod to sølvskåle, og ved siden af hver af dem stod en præst. Vandet blev hældt i den ene af skålene, og i den anden en flaske vin, og indholdet af begge skåle flød gennem et rør, der havde forbindelse med Kedron, og derfra ud i Det døde Hav. Det, der her skete med det indviede vand, var symbolsk for den kilde, der på Guds befaling vældede frem af klippen for at slukke Israels børns tørst. Derefter klang disse jublende toner: "Herren er min styrke og min lovsang;" "I skal øse vand med glæde af frelsens kilder." Es. 12,2-3.