Bears, Prophets, Lodges
cistern (n.) "natural or artificial receptacle for holding water or some other fluid," mid-13c., from Old French cisterne "cistern; dungeon, underground prison" (12c., Modern French citerne), from Latin cisterna "underground reservoir for water," from cista "chest, box," from Greek kistē "box, chest" (see chest). Related: Cisternal. also from mid-13c. Source
The rendering of a Hebrew word bor, which means a receptacle for water conveyed to it; distinguished from beer, which denotes a place where water rises on the spot (Jeremiah 2:13; Proverbs 5:15; Isaiah 36:16), a fountain. Cisterns are frequently mentioned in Scripture. The scarcity of springs in Palestine made it necessary to collect rain-water in reservoirs and cisterns (Numbers 21:22). (see WELL.) Empty cisterns were sometimes used as prisons (Jeremiah 38:6; Lamentations 3:53; Psalm 40:2; 69:15). The "pit" into which Joseph was cast (Genesis 37:24) was a beer or dry well. There are numerous remains of ancient cisterns in all parts of Palestine. Source
Beer (where the water rises) ibid. Sheva--
The Hebrew number for seven is שבע - sheva. A homonymic root is שבע - "to swear, to take an oath". Is there a connection between the two? There seems to be. Klein says the verb derives from sheva (seven) and "prob. meaning lit.: 'to bind oneself by seven things, or by seven oaths'." Source
2 Kings 2:23-24 Elisha Is Jeered 23 From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered at him. “Get out of here, baldy!” they said. “Get out of here, baldy!” 24 He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the Lord. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys.
Western mindsets trivialize the folly of youth as though life were eternal summer. There is always tomorrow, and everything was simply a misunderstanding with hilarious implications. In the East, though, where the Great Bear Lodge still holds sway, it may be that when a reckless fool of a youth mocks an elder, they simply get chewed apart.
Moral to the Story: Thirsty bears can quench their thirst on many liquids. It is better not to provoke Prophets, bears, or heavenly Fathers.