Reference: Beersheba
Easton
well of the oath, or well of seven, a well dug by Abraham, and so named because he and Abimelech here entered into a compact (Ge 21:31). On re-opening it, Isaac gave it the same name (Ge 26:31-33). It was a favourite place of abode of both of these patriarchs (Ge 21:33-22:1; 22:19; 26:33; 28:10). It is mentioned among the "cities" given to the tribe of Simeon (Jos 19:2; 1Ch 4:28). From Dan to Beersheba, a distance of about 144 miles (Jg 20:1; 1Ch 21:2; 2Sa 24:2), became the usual way of designating the whole Promised Land, and passed into a proverb. After the return from the Captivity the phrase is narrowed into "from Beersheba unto the valley of Hinnom" (Ne 11:30). The kingdom of the ten tribes extended from Beersheba to Mount Ephraim (2Ch 19:4). The name is not found in the New Testament. It is still called by the Arabs Bir es-Seba, i.e., "well of the seven", where there are to the present day two principal wells and five smaller ones. It is nearly midway between the southern end of the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean.
Illustration: Beersheba Well
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On this account, was the name of that place called Beer-sheba, - because there, had they two sworn.
So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they mounted, and went on their way together unto Beer-sheba, - and Abraham dwelt in Beer-sheba.
and rose up early in the morning, and took an oath each man to his brother, so Isaac let them go, and they departed from him in peace. And it came to pass, on the same day, that the servants of Isaac came in, and told him concerning the well which they had digged, and said to him, We have found water! read more. So he called it, Shibah. For this cause, hath the name of the city, been Beer-sheba, unto this day.
So he called it, Shibah. For this cause, hath the name of the city, been Beer-sheba, unto this day.
Then went forth all the sons of Israel, and the assembly came together as one man, from Dan even to Beersheba with the land of Gilead, - unto Yahweh at Mizpah.
So Jehoshaphat dwelt in Jerusalem, - and he again went forth among the people, from Beersheba as far as the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back unto Yahweh, the God of their fathers.
Zanoah, Adullam and their villages, Lachish, and the fields thereof, Azekah, and the hamlets thereof, - so they encamped from Beer-sheba, unto the valley of Hinnom.
Fausets
Beersheba means "well of the oath". The southern limit of the Holy Land, as Dan in the N.: "from Dan to Beersheba" (compare in David's census, 1Ch 21:2; 2Sa 24:2-7) comprehends the whole. Called so from the oath of peace between Abraham and Abimelech, king of the Philistines (Ge 21:31), else from the seven (sheba' ) ewe lambs slain there: indeed sheba', an oath, is from the custom of binding one's self by seven things, as Abraham made the seven ewe lambs a pledge of his covenant with Abimelech. Again, from the like oath between Abimelech (with Phichol, his captain) and Isaac, it being not uncommon for an event to be recorded as occurring apparently for the first time, which has been recorded as occurring earlier before: so Bethel (Ge 26:31-33).
The well dug by Abraham and secured to him by oath had been covered and lost. It is found by Isaac's servants just after the covenant made between him and Abimelech. The series of events recalls to Isaac's mind the original name and that which gave rise to the name; so he restores both the well itself and the name. Seven (sheba' which also may explain the name) wells are at the place, so that a different one may have been named by Isaac from that named by Abraham. They all pour their streams into the wady es Seba, and are called Bir es seba, the largest 12 ft. diameter, and masonry round reaching 28 ft. down, and 44 from bottom to surface of the water. The second, at a hundred yards distance, 5 in diameter, 42 in depth. The other five further off. The stones around the mouth are worn into grooves by the action of ropes for so many ages. Around the large are nine stone troughs; around the smaller, five.
The water is excellent, and grass with crocuses and lilies abounds. Abraham planted here a" grove" ('eshel) (distinct from the idol grove, Asheerah, or Astarte Baal), or tree, the tamarisk, long living, of hard wood, with long, clustering, evergreen leaves, as a type of the ever enduring grace of the faithful, covenant keeping God (Ge 21:33), "and called on the name (the self manifested character and person) of Jehovah, the everlasting God." (See BAAL.) Here it was that Isaac lived when Jacob stole from his father the blessing already forfeited by Esau's profane sale of his birthright (Ge 26:33,27; 28:10). Long afterward, on Jacob's descent to Egypt, he halted there, sacrificed unto the God of Isaac, and had a vision of God encouraging him to go down. The dispensation of the promise, which began with Abraham's call from Ur to Canaan, ended on the last night of the sojourn of his grandson Israel in Canaan.
So God's promise was repeated for the last time (Ge 46:1-5). Possibly the 430 years (Ga 3:17) dates from this, the end, not from the beginning, of the dispensation of the promise. Beersheba was given to Simeon, in the extreme S. of Judah (Jos 15:28; 19:1-2; 1Ch 4:28). Samuel's sons, Joel and Abiah, were judges there (1Sa 8:2), its distance preventing his going in circuit to it, as he did to others yearly (1Sa 7:16-17). Here Elijah left his confidential servant (narow) on his way to Horeb (1Ki 19:3-4).
From Geba to Beersheba or "from Beersheba to mount Ephraim" was the formula comprehending the southern kingdom of Judah after the severance of Israel's ten tribes (2Ki 23:8; 2Ch 19:4), and on the return from Babylon still narrower, "from Beersheba to the valley of Hinnom" (Ne 11:30). Ahaziah's wife, Zibiah, mother of Joash, was of Beersheba (2Ki 12:1.) It became seat of an idolatry akin to that of Bethel or Gilgal, so that it was a formula of superstition, "the manner (cultus, or religion, as in Ac 9:2 the new religion of Christ is designated "this way") of Beersheba liveth" (Am 5:5; 8:14). In Christian times, it became an episcopal city under the Bishop of Jerusalem.
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On this account, was the name of that place called Beer-sheba, - because there, had they two sworn.
On this account, was the name of that place called Beer-sheba, - because there, had they two sworn.
Then planted he a tamarisk tree in Beer-sheba, - and called there on the name of Yahweh the age-abiding GOD.
Then planted he a tamarisk tree in Beer-sheba, - and called there on the name of Yahweh the age-abiding GOD.
And Isaac said unto them, Wherefore have ye come in mite me, seeing that, ye, hated me, and sent me away from you?
And Isaac said unto them, Wherefore have ye come in mite me, seeing that, ye, hated me, and sent me away from you?
and rose up early in the morning, and took an oath each man to his brother, so Isaac let them go, and they departed from him in peace.
and rose up early in the morning, and took an oath each man to his brother, so Isaac let them go, and they departed from him in peace. And it came to pass, on the same day, that the servants of Isaac came in, and told him concerning the well which they had digged, and said to him, We have found water!
And it came to pass, on the same day, that the servants of Isaac came in, and told him concerning the well which they had digged, and said to him, We have found water! So he called it, Shibah. For this cause, hath the name of the city, been Beer-sheba, unto this day.
So he called it, Shibah. For this cause, hath the name of the city, been Beer-sheba, unto this day.
So he called it, Shibah. For this cause, hath the name of the city, been Beer-sheba, unto this day.
So he called it, Shibah. For this cause, hath the name of the city, been Beer-sheba, unto this day.
So Israel brake up, with all that he had, and came in to Beer-sheba, - and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.
So Israel brake up, with all that he had, and came in to Beer-sheba, - and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. And God said to Israel in the visions of the night, and he said - Jacob! Jacob!
And God said to Israel in the visions of the night, and he said - Jacob! Jacob! And he said - Behold me! And he said: I, am GOD himself, the God of thy father, - Be not afraid of going down to Egypt, seeing that for a great nation, will I plant thee there.
And he said - Behold me! And he said: I, am GOD himself, the God of thy father, - Be not afraid of going down to Egypt, seeing that for a great nation, will I plant thee there. I will go down with thee to Egypt, and will bring thee up, yea wholly up, - and, Joseph, shall lay his own hand upon thine eyes.
I will go down with thee to Egypt, and will bring thee up, yea wholly up, - and, Joseph, shall lay his own hand upon thine eyes. So Jacob rose up from Beer-sheba, - and the sons of Israel brought Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the waggons which Pharaoh had sent to bring him;
So Jacob rose up from Beer-sheba, - and the sons of Israel brought Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the waggons which Pharaoh had sent to bring him;
And the second lot came out, for Simeon, for the tribe of the sons of Simeon, by their families, - and their inheritance was in the midst of the inheritance of the sons of Judah.
And the second lot came out, for Simeon, for the tribe of the sons of Simeon, by their families, - and their inheritance was in the midst of the inheritance of the sons of Judah. And they had for their inheritance, - Beer-sheba or Sheba, and Moladah,
And he used to take his journey, from year to year, and go round to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpah, - and used to judge Israel, at all these places.
And he used to take his journey, from year to year, and go round to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpah, - and used to judge Israel, at all these places. And, his returning, was to Ramah, for, there, was his house, and, there, judged he Israel, - so he built there an altar unto Yahweh.
And, his returning, was to Ramah, for, there, was his house, and, there, judged he Israel, - so he built there an altar unto Yahweh.
and the name of his firstborn son was, Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah, - they were judges in Beer-sheba.
and the name of his firstborn son was, Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah, - they were judges in Beer-sheba.
And, when he saw that , he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongeth to Judah, - and left his servant there.
And, when he saw that , he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongeth to Judah, - and left his servant there. But, he himself, went into the wilderness a day's journey, and came and sat down under a certain shrub, - and asked for his life, that he might die, and said - Enough, now, O Yahweh! take away my life, for, no better, am, I, than, my fathers.
But, he himself, went into the wilderness a day's journey, and came and sat down under a certain shrub, - and asked for his life, that he might die, and said - Enough, now, O Yahweh! take away my life, for, no better, am, I, than, my fathers.
In the seventh year of Jehu, began Jehoash to reign, and, forty years, reigned he in Jerusalem, - and, the name of his mother, was Zibiah of Beer-sheba.
In the seventh year of Jehu, began Jehoash to reign, and, forty years, reigned he in Jerusalem, - and, the name of his mother, was Zibiah of Beer-sheba.
and be brought in all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places where, the priests, had burned incense, from Geba unto Beer-sheba, - and brake down the high places of the gates, that were at the entrance of the gate of Joshua, the governor of the city, which were on one's left hand, in the gate of the city;
and be brought in all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places where, the priests, had burned incense, from Geba unto Beer-sheba, - and brake down the high places of the gates, that were at the entrance of the gate of Joshua, the governor of the city, which were on one's left hand, in the gate of the city;
And David said unto Joab and unto the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel, from Beer-sheba even unto Dan, - and bring the report unto me, that I may know the number of them.
And David said unto Joab and unto the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel, from Beer-sheba even unto Dan, - and bring the report unto me, that I may know the number of them.
Zanoah, Adullam and their villages, Lachish, and the fields thereof, Azekah, and the hamlets thereof, - so they encamped from Beer-sheba, unto the valley of Hinnom.
Zanoah, Adullam and their villages, Lachish, and the fields thereof, Azekah, and the hamlets thereof, - so they encamped from Beer-sheba, unto the valley of Hinnom.
Then do not seek Bethel, and, Gilgal, shall ye not enter, and, unto Beer-sheba, shall ye not cross over, For, Gilgal, shall, surely go into exile, and, Bethel, shall become a trouble.
Then do not seek Bethel, and, Gilgal, shall ye not enter, and, unto Beer-sheba, shall ye not cross over, For, Gilgal, shall, surely go into exile, and, Bethel, shall become a trouble.
They who swear by the Guilt of Samaria, and say, As thy God, liveth, O Dan! and, As the Way of Beer-sheba, liveth, shall fall, and shall not rise any more.
They who swear by the Guilt of Samaria, and say, As thy God, liveth, O Dan! and, As the Way of Beer-sheba, liveth, shall fall, and shall not rise any more.
asked from him letters for Damascus, unto the synagogues; to the end that, if he should find, any, who were of The Way, whether men or women, he might bring them, bound, unto Jerusalem.
asked from him letters for Damascus, unto the synagogues; to the end that, if he should find, any, who were of The Way, whether men or women, he might bring them, bound, unto Jerusalem.
And, this, I say - a covenant previously confirmed by God, the law which, after four hundred and thirty years, hath been brought into being, doth not annul, so as to do away with the promise.
And, this, I say - a covenant previously confirmed by God, the law which, after four hundred and thirty years, hath been brought into being, doth not annul, so as to do away with the promise.
Hastings
A halting-place of Abraham (Ge 21:31), where Hagar was sent away (Ge 21:14), and where he made a covenant with Abimelech, from which the place is alleged to take its name ('well of the covenant,' according to one interpretation). Isaac after his disputes with the Philistines settled here (Ge 26:23), and discovered the well Shibah, another etymological speculation (Ge 26:33). Hence Jacob was sent away (Ge 28:10), and returned and sacrificed on his way to Egypt (Ge 46:1). It was assigned to the tribe of Judah (Jos 15:28), but set apart for the Simeonites (Jos 19:2). Here Samuel's sons were judges (1Sa 8:2), and hither Elijah fled before Jezebel (1Ki 19:3). Zibiah, the mother of Joash, belonged to Beersheba (2Ki 12:1). It was an important holy place: here Abraham planted a sacred tree (Ge 21:33), and theophanies were vouchsafed to Hagar (Ge 21:17), to Isaac (Ge 26:24), to Jacob (Ge 46:2), and to Elijah (1Ki 19:5). Amos couples it with the shrines of Bethel and Gilgal (Am 5:6), and oaths by its numen are denounced (Am 8:14). It is recognized as the southern boundary of Palestine in the frequent phrase 'from Dan unto Beersheba' (Jg 20:1 etc.). Seven ancient wells exist here, and it has been suggested that these gave its name to the locality; the suffixed numeral being perhaps due to the influence of the syntax of some pre-Semitic language, as in Kiriath-arba ('Tetrapolis'). The modern name is Bir es-Seba', where are extensive remains of a Byzantine city; the ancient city is probably at Tell es-Seba', about 2 miles to the east. Till recently the site was deserted by all but Bedouin; now a modern town has sprung up, built from the ruins of the ancient structures, and has been made the seat of a sub-governor.
R. A. S. Macalister.
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So Abraham rose up early in the morning - and took bread and a skin of water and gave unto hagar, - putting them on her shoulder and the child, and sent her forth, - so she went her way and wandered, in the desert of Beer-sheba.
And God heard the voice of the boy, and a messenger of God called unto Hagar out of the heavens; and said to her, What aileth thee, Hagar? Do not fear, for God hath hearkened unto the voice of the boy where he is.
On this account, was the name of that place called Beer-sheba, - because there, had they two sworn.
Then planted he a tamarisk tree in Beer-sheba, - and called there on the name of Yahweh the age-abiding GOD.
And be went up from thence, to Beer-sheba. And Yahweh appeared unto him the same night, and said, I, am the God of Abraham thy father, - Do not fear for with thee, am, I, And I will bless thee and multiply thy seed, For the sake of Abraham my servant.
So he called it, Shibah. For this cause, hath the name of the city, been Beer-sheba, unto this day.
So Israel brake up, with all that he had, and came in to Beer-sheba, - and offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac. And God said to Israel in the visions of the night, and he said - Jacob! Jacob!
Then went forth all the sons of Israel, and the assembly came together as one man, from Dan even to Beersheba with the land of Gilead, - unto Yahweh at Mizpah.
and the name of his firstborn son was, Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah, - they were judges in Beer-sheba.
And, when he saw that , he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beer-sheba, which belongeth to Judah, - and left his servant there.
And, as he lay, and slept, under a certain shrub, lo! a messenger, touching him, who said to him - Rise, eat.
In the seventh year of Jehu, began Jehoash to reign, and, forty years, reigned he in Jerusalem, - and, the name of his mother, was Zibiah of Beer-sheba.
Seek ye Yahweh, and live, - lest he break forth, like a fire, upon the house of Joseph, and it devour with none to quench it, for Bethel.
They who swear by the Guilt of Samaria, and say, As thy God, liveth, O Dan! and, As the Way of Beer-sheba, liveth, shall fall, and shall not rise any more.
Morish
Beer'-sheba
This name, signifying well of the oath, was given to the place where Abraham and Abimelech made a covenant not to molest each other, and confirmed it by an oath. It afterwards became the dwelling place of Abraham and of Isaac, who also digged a well there, and a city is spoken of as bearing the same name. Ge 21:14,31-33; 22:19; 26:23,33; 28:10. It became a part of Simeon's lot, Jos 19:1-2; and after the settlement of the land it is constantly referred to as the most southern part of the land possessed, as Dan is pointed to as the most northern; thus 'from Dan to Beer-sheba' was the common expression for the whole territory even in the days of Solomon. 1 Kings 4:25.
The prophet Amos warns the people not to trust in any places of renown or of former blessing, as Bethel, Gilgal, nor Beersheba; the glory of all had faded: they must seek Jehovah, and they should live. Am 5:5,Am 5:6; 8:14. On the return of the exiles some of them dwelt at Beer-sheba, and from thence northward to the valley of Hinnom. Ne 11:27,30. Beer-sheba is identified with Bir es Seba, 31 15' N, 34 48' E. There are still two principal wells in the district giving excellent water, besides five smaller ones.
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So Abraham rose up early in the morning - and took bread and a skin of water and gave unto hagar, - putting them on her shoulder and the child, and sent her forth, - so she went her way and wandered, in the desert of Beer-sheba.
On this account, was the name of that place called Beer-sheba, - because there, had they two sworn. And when they had solemnised a covenant in Beer-sheba, - then arose Abimelech, with Phicol chief of his host, and returned unto the land of the Philistines. read more. Then planted he a tamarisk tree in Beer-sheba, - and called there on the name of Yahweh the age-abiding GOD.
So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they mounted, and went on their way together unto Beer-sheba, - and Abraham dwelt in Beer-sheba.
So he called it, Shibah. For this cause, hath the name of the city, been Beer-sheba, unto this day.
And the second lot came out, for Simeon, for the tribe of the sons of Simeon, by their families, - and their inheritance was in the midst of the inheritance of the sons of Judah. And they had for their inheritance, - Beer-sheba or Sheba, and Moladah,
Zanoah, Adullam and their villages, Lachish, and the fields thereof, Azekah, and the hamlets thereof, - so they encamped from Beer-sheba, unto the valley of Hinnom.
Then do not seek Bethel, and, Gilgal, shall ye not enter, and, unto Beer-sheba, shall ye not cross over, For, Gilgal, shall, surely go into exile, and, Bethel, shall become a trouble. Seek ye Yahweh, and live, - lest he break forth, like a fire, upon the house of Joseph, and it devour with none to quench it, for Bethel.
They who swear by the Guilt of Samaria, and say, As thy God, liveth, O Dan! and, As the Way of Beer-sheba, liveth, shall fall, and shall not rise any more.
Watsons
BEERSHEBA, or the well of the oath; so named from a well which Abraham dug in this place, and the covenant which he here made with Abimelech, king of Gerar, Ge 20:18. Here also he planted a grove, as it would appear, for the purpose of retirement for religious worship. In process of time, a considerable town was built on the same spot, which retained the same name. Beersheba was given by Joshua to the tribe of Judah, and afterward transferred to Simeon, Jos 15:28. It was situated twenty miles south of Hebron, in the extreme south of the land of Israel, as Dan was on the north. The two places are frequently thus mentioned in Scripture, as "from Dan to Beersheba," to denote the whole length of the country.
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For Yahweh, had restrained from bearing, every female a of the house of Abimelech, - because of Sarah, wife of Abraham.