The flowing of the water from the rock in the desert was celebrated by the Israelites, after their establishment in Canaan, with demonstrations of great rejoicing. In the time of Christ this celebration had become a most impressive ceremony. It took place on the occasion of the Feast of Tabernacles, when the people from all the land were assembled at Jerusalem. On each of the seven days of the feast the priests went out with music and the choir of Levites to draw water in a golden vessel from the spring of Siloam. They were followed by multitudes of the worshipers, as many as could get near the stream drinking of it, while the jubilant strains arose, "With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." Isaiah 12:3. Then the water drawn by the priests was borne to the temple amid the sounding of trumpets and the solemn chant, "Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem." Psalm 122:2. The water was poured out upon the altar of burnt offering, while songs of praise rang out, the multitudes joining in triumphant chorus with musical instruments and deep-toned trumpets.

Vandet, som flød fra klippen i ørkenen, mindedes efter israelitternes bosættelse i Kanaan ved en stor glædesfest. På Kristi tid var denne fest blevet til en imponerende ceremoni, der fandt sted under løvsalsfesten, når folk fra hele landet var samlet i Jerusalem. På hver af festens syv dage gik præsterne under musikledsagelse og korsang af levitterne ud for at drage vand i et guldkar af Siloams kilde. I skarevis af tilbedende mennesker fulgte efter dem, så mange, som kunne komme til at drikke af kilden, mens jubelsangen tonede: "I skal øse vand med glæde af frelsens kilder." Es. 12, 3. Så blev det vand, præsterne havde draget op, båret til templet under trompetklang og afsyngelse af den højtidelige sang: "Så står da vore fødder i dine porte, Jerusalem." Sl. 122, 2. Vandet blev hældt ud over brændofferalteret, mens der lød lovsange, og skarerne forenedes i et sejrskor med ledsagelse af musikinstrumenter og dybe trompettoner.