A Deeper Well

What was the life story of the Samaritan woman Jesus met at the well, the first person to whom he declared that he was the Messiah? Jesus knew her story, but Scripture offers only sparse details.

In this historical fiction novel based on the biblical narrative, author Jill Eileen Smith gives readers a window into what might possibly have happened in the woman’s life. In an endnote, Smith writes, “Most of the teaching that I’ve heard of the story of the woman at the well has come with the belief that she was a moral outcast, no better than a prostitute, in her village. Why else would she be at the well in the middle of the day, avoiding the other women? ... When I began to research her story, I questioned these age-old beliefs, matching them against the culture of her day. Could a woman be married five times by choice? Did a woman have the right to seek a divorce, and if she did, why would she want to unless she was living with abuse?”

Smith masterfully narrates the story of 13-year-old Nessa, the most beautiful girl in Sychar, from the time she is considered to be a woman because she has begun to menstruate, and is quickly betrothed to an older man, till the time she meets Jesus at the well. In Nessa’s voice, Smith explores the ramifications of living in the culture of ancient Israel where women had no rights, where they could be divorced at their husband’s whim, and where their misfortunes were mistakenly interpreted as a sign of God’s displeasure and punishment instead of the consequences of misuse of the Mosaic law.

As Nessa navigates her five marriages and feels used and discarded for various reasons, she questions whether Adonai hears her prayers for relief and help. Bitter, defeated, and angry that her life is not her own to control, Nessa secretly keeps her hope alive that one day she will be allowed to marry Lavi, her first love, but one that was forbidden by her father.

Throughout the challenging years of her marriages as she faces one rejection after another, Nessa is “thirsty for love. Acceptance. Someone to keep me without censure or rebuke for the rest of my life.” When Nessa meets Jesus, she believes he offers her living water so she will never thirst again. In Jesus, Nessa realizes that her prayers to Adonai are being answered.

In this thought-provoking novel, readers might find their preconceived notions of the reasons for the Samaritan woman’s misfortunes challenged and receive much insight into the culture of Jesus’ day.

(Revell)