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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Therefore he called that place Beer-sheba, because there the two of them took an oath.
Abraham and Isaac went back to the servants who had come with him. They returned to Abraham's home in Beer-sheba.
Early the next morning each man made his promise and sealed it with a vow. Isaac said good-bye to them. They parted as friends. That day Isaac's servants told him about the well they dug. They said: We have found water. read more. Isaac named the well Shibah. The town is still called Beer-sheba.
Isaac named the well Shibah. The town is still called Beer-sheba.
The people of Israel came from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, as well as from the land of Gilead in the east. They were united in Jehovah's presence at Mizpah.
While Jehoshaphat was living in Jerusalem, he regularly went to the people between Beersheba and the mountains of Ephraim. He brought the people back to Jehovah the God of their ancestors.
And Zanoah, Adullam and their villages, Lachish and its fields, Azekah and its villages. So they were living from Beer-sheba to 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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Therefore he called that place Beer-sheba, because there the two of them took an oath.
Therefore he called that place Beer-sheba, because there the two of them took an oath.
Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beer-sheba. There he called on the name of Jehovah, the Everlasting God.
Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beer-sheba. There he called on the name of Jehovah, the Everlasting God.
Isaac asked: Why have you now come to see me? You were so unfriendly to me before and made me leave your country.
Isaac asked: Why have you now come to see me? You were so unfriendly to me before and made me leave your country.
Early the next morning each man made his promise and sealed it with a vow. Isaac said good-bye to them. They parted as friends.
Early the next morning each man made his promise and sealed it with a vow. Isaac said good-bye to them. They parted as friends. That day Isaac's servants told him about the well they dug. They said: We have found water.
That day Isaac's servants told him about the well they dug. They said: We have found water. Isaac named the well Shibah. The town is still called Beer-sheba.
Isaac named the well Shibah. The town is still called Beer-sheba.
Isaac named the well Shibah. The town is still called Beer-sheba.
Isaac named the well Shibah. The town is still called Beer-sheba.
Jacob (Israel) packed up everything he owned and left for Egypt. On the way he stopped near the town of Beer-sheba and offered sacrifices to the God his father Isaac had worshiped.
Jacob (Israel) packed up everything he owned and left for Egypt. On the way he stopped near the town of Beer-sheba and offered sacrifices to the God his father Isaac had worshiped. That night, God spoke to him and said: Jacob! Jacob! Here I am, Jacob answered.
That night, God spoke to him and said: Jacob! Jacob! Here I am, Jacob answered. God said: I am God! I am the same God your father worshiped. Do not be afraid to go to Egypt. I will give you so many descendants that one day they will become a nation.
God said: I am God! I am the same God your father worshiped. Do not be afraid to go to Egypt. I will give you so many descendants that one day they will become a nation. I will go to Egypt with you. I will make sure you come back again. Joseph will close your eyes when you die.
I will go to Egypt with you. I will make sure you come back again. Joseph will close your eyes when you die. Jacob left Beer-sheba. Israel's sons put their father Jacob, their children, and their wives in the wagons Pharaoh had sent to bring him back.
Jacob left Beer-sheba. Israel's sons put their father Jacob, their children, and their wives in the wagons Pharaoh had sent to bring him back.
The second lot came for Simeon, even for the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families: and their inheritance was within the inheritance of the children of Judah.
The second lot came for Simeon, even for the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families: and their inheritance was within the inheritance of the children of Judah. Their inheritance included: Beer-sheba, or Sheba, and Moladah,
Every year he went around to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah in order to judge Israel in all those places.
Every year he went around to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah in order to judge Israel in all those places. Then he returned home to Ramah where he judged Israel. And in Ramah he built an altar to Jehovah.
Then he returned home to Ramah where he judged Israel. And in Ramah he built an altar to Jehovah.
The name of his firstborn son was Joel. He named his second son Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba.
The name of his firstborn son was Joel. He named his second son Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba.
Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He took his servant and went to Beersheba in Judah. He left the servant there.
Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He took his servant and went to Beersheba in Judah. He left the servant there. Elijah walked a whole day into the wilderness. He stopped and sat down under a broom plant and wished he would die. It is just too much, Jehovah, he prayed. Take away my life. I could just as well be dead.
Elijah walked a whole day into the wilderness. He stopped and sat down under a broom plant and wished he would die. It is just too much, Jehovah, he prayed. Take away my life. I could just as well be dead.
Jehoash became king of Judah. It was the seventh year of Jehu's rule over Israel. Jehoash ruled for forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zibiah of Beersheba.
Jehoash became king of Judah. It was the seventh year of Jehu's rule over Israel. Jehoash ruled for forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zibiah of Beersheba.
He brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah from Geba to Beersheba and made the places where those priests sacrificed unclean. He tore down the worship site at the entrance of the Gate of Joshua, the gate named after the mayor of the city. The worship site was to the left of anyone going through the city gate.
He brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah from Geba to Beersheba and made the places where those priests sacrificed unclean. He tore down the worship site at the entrance of the Gate of Joshua, the gate named after the mayor of the city. The worship site was to the left of anyone going through the city gate.
David gave orders to Joab and the other officers. He said: Go through Israel, from one end of the country to the other, and count the people. I want to know how many there are.
David gave orders to Joab and the other officers. He said: Go through Israel, from one end of the country to the other, and count the people. I want to know how many there are.
And Zanoah, Adullam and their villages, Lachish and its fields, Azekah and its villages. So they were living from Beer-sheba to the valley of Hinnom.
And Zanoah, Adullam and their villages, Lachish and its fields, Azekah and its villages. So they were living from Beer-sheba to the valley of Hinnom.
Do not seek Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal. Do not pass to Beersheba. For Gilgal will surely go into captivity (exile), and Bethel will come to nothing.
Do not seek Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal. Do not pass to Beersheba. For Gilgal will surely go into captivity (exile), and Bethel will come to nothing.
They who swear by the sin of Samaria. They will say: 'As your god lives, O Dan, the way Beersheba lives.' They will fall and never rise up again.
They who swear by the sin of Samaria. They will say: 'As your god lives, O Dan, the way Beersheba lives.' They will fall and never rise up again.
He asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, that if he found any there who belonged to The Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
He asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, that if he found any there who belonged to The Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
Now this I say: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.
Now this I say: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify 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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Early the next morning Abraham took bread and a container of water and gave them to Hagar, putting them on her shoulder. He also gave her the boy and sent her on her way. So she left and wandered around in the desert near Beer-sheba.
God heard the lad crying. The angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her: What is the matter with you, Hagar? Do not fear! God has heard the voice of the lad where he is.
Therefore he called that place Beer-sheba, because there the two of them took an oath.
Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beer-sheba. There he called on the name of Jehovah, the Everlasting God.
He went from there to Beer-sheba. That night Jehovah appeared to Isaac. Jehovah said: I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, because I am with you. I will bless you and increase the number of your descendants for my servant Abraham's sake.
Isaac named the well Shibah. The town is still called Beer-sheba.
Jacob (Israel) packed up everything he owned and left for Egypt. On the way he stopped near the town of Beer-sheba and offered sacrifices to the God his father Isaac had worshiped. That night, God spoke to him and said: Jacob! Jacob! Here I am, Jacob answered.
The people of Israel came from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, as well as from the land of Gilead in the east. They were united in Jehovah's presence at Mizpah.
The name of his firstborn son was Joel. He named his second son Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba.
Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He took his servant and went to Beersheba in Judah. He left the servant there.
Stretching himself on the earth, he went to sleep under the broom-plant. An angel touched him and said: Get up and eat some food.
Jehoash became king of Judah. It was the seventh year of Jehu's rule over Israel. Jehoash ruled for forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zibiah of Beersheba.
Seek Jehovah, and you will live. Lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and it will devour, and there will be none to quench it in Bethel.
They who swear by the sin of Samaria. They will say: 'As your god lives, O Dan, the way Beersheba lives.' They will fall and never rise up again.
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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Early the next morning Abraham took bread and a container of water and gave them to Hagar, putting them on her shoulder. He also gave her the boy and sent her on her way. So she left and wandered around in the desert near Beer-sheba.
Therefore he called that place Beer-sheba, because there the two of them took an oath. They made a covenant at Beer-sheba. Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, arose and returned to the land of the Philistines. read more. Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beer-sheba. There he called on the name of Jehovah, the Everlasting God.
Abraham and Isaac went back to the servants who had come with him. They returned to Abraham's home in Beer-sheba.
Isaac named the well Shibah. The town is still called Beer-sheba.
The second lot came for Simeon, even for the tribe of the children of Simeon according to their families: and their inheritance was within the inheritance of the children of Judah. Their inheritance included: Beer-sheba, or Sheba, and Moladah,
And Zanoah, Adullam and their villages, Lachish and its fields, Azekah and its villages. So they were living from Beer-sheba to the valley of Hinnom.
Do not seek Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal. Do not pass to Beersheba. For Gilgal will surely go into captivity (exile), and Bethel will come to nothing. Seek Jehovah, and you will live. Lest he break out like fire in the house of Joseph, and it will devour, and there will be none to quench it in Bethel.
They who swear by the sin of Samaria. They will say: 'As your god lives, O Dan, the way Beersheba lives.' They will fall and never rise up again.
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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Jehovah had made it impossible for any woman in Abimelech's household to have children because of Abraham's wife Sarah.