Morrish Bible Dictionary · Wells.

There are several Hebrew words for the wells that were in Palestine. Some may have been dug in connection with springs of water and others have been principally supplied by water from the surrounding land. The word ayin differs from either of the above: it signifies literally 'an eye,' and was like an eye in the ground from which the waters sprang up, and is not said to be dug, and yet is called 'a well' in the A.V. It occurs in Gen. 24:13-45; Gen. 49:22; Ex. 15:27; Neh. 2:13, and the same word is often translated 'fountain.' From the same is mayan. Ps. 84:6; Isa. 12:3; etc. The words beer, bor refer to any well, cistern, or pit. Gen. 16:14; Gen. 24:11, 20; Deut. 6:11; etc.