Lexical Definition

‎φρέαρ‎ phréar (freh'-ar) well/abyss ^G:N-N
of uncertain derivation

well, pit.

• a hole in the ground (dug for obtaining or holding water or other purposes), i.e. a cistern or well
• figuratively, an abyss (as a prison)

Abbott-Smith

φρέαρ, -ατος, τό [in LXX chiefly for בְּאֵר ;]
a well: Lk 14:5, Jo 4:11, 12; φ. τῆς ἀβύσσου, Re 9:1, 2.†

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

φρέαρ-αρ,

epigram φρεῖαρ [φρέαρᾱτος (see. entry near the end)">Refs 2nd c.BC+], contraction φρητός [Refs 1st c.AD+], Hdn.Gr.1.409; Epic dialect dative φρέαρᾰτι [Refs 3rd c.BC+]; plural φρέαρᾱτα, also φρῆτα [Refs 3rd c.BC+]; Epic dialect plural φρείᾰτα (see. below):—an artificial well (thus distinguished from κρήνη,[Refs 5th c.BC+]; but φ. ἀσφάλτον naphtha-spring, [LXX+8th c.BC+]; the stem φρεατ - first in [Refs]

__2 later, tank, cistern, reservoir, [Refs 5th c.BC+], etc.; εἰς φ. καταβαίνειν καὶ κολυμβᾶν [Refs 5th c.BC+]: generally, pit, φ. διαφθορᾶς [LXX]
__2.b perhaps oil-jar, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
__3 metaphorically, εἰς φρέαρατά τε καὶ πᾶσαν ἀπορίαν ἐμπίπτων [φρέαρατι συσχόμενος [prev. work] 165b ">Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἡ περὶ τὸ φ. ὄρχησις, proverbial of persons 'on the brink of a volcano', [Refs 1st c.AD+]; λύκος περὶ φ. χορεύει proverbial cited in [Refs 5th c.AD+]; πίνειν ἐξ ἀργυροῦ φρέαρατος, i.e. a large wine-cup, [Refs 2nd c.AD+]. [Attic dialect genitive φρέαρᾱτος [Refs 5th c.BC+] genitive frhvṇτος, cf. Armenian albiur 'well', Goth. and O[Refs 5th c.BC+] brunna 'stream, burn', Latin ferveo, defrutum.)

_{LSJ Scripture Refs: LXX.Gen.14.10 ☩ LXX.Ps.54.24*}