THE PLACE AND METAPHORICAL MEANINGS OF THE WELL CONCEPT IN ABRAHAMIC RELIGIONS

This study examines the interpretation and metaphorical meanings of the well meta-phor in the three Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam). Through an analysis of Prophet Joseph's experience with the well, it is observed that the well is treated not merely as a physical place but as a symbol of spiritual journey, trials, and divine wisdom. In the Jewish tra-dition, the well is interpreted as a symbol of exile and redemption; in the Christian tradition as a prefiguration of the Passion and Resurrection of Christ, and in the Islamic tradition as a stage of self-discipline and spiritual development. Employing comparative textual analysis and semiotic methods, the study explores the multi-layered structure of the well metaphor by examining sacred texts, exegeses, and modern interpretations. Consequently, the well metaphor emerges not only as an element of religious narrative but also as a universal symbol that describes humanity's exis-tential journey, its falls and rises, and its oscillations between hope and despair. It serves as a guide for modern individuals in coping with life's challenges, discovering themselves, and achieving spiritual maturity.