בַּעֲלַת בְּאֵר

Baalath-Beer, a place in Palestine

Definition

Baalath-Beer is a place name meaning 'mistress of a well' or 'lady of the well.' It was a town in the territory allotted to the tribe of Simeon, as recorded in the list of cities within Judah's inheritance (Joshua 19:8). This location is likely associated with a significant water source, a vital feature for settlement in the arid regions of southern Palestine. The name reflects the common practice of naming locations after geographical features or local deities.

Biblical Usage

This proper noun is used only once in the Old Testament, in Joshua 19:8, within a detailed list of cities given to the tribe of Simeon. Its usage is purely geographical, serving to identify a specific location within the tribal allotments following the Israelite conquest of Canaan.

Etymology

The name is a compound of two Hebrew words: בַּעֲלָה (baʿălâ, H1172), meaning 'mistress' or 'lady,' and בְּאֵר (bᵉʼêr, H875), meaning 'well.' It is constructed similarly to other place names in the region that combine 'Baal' or its feminine form with a natural feature, indicating a site of importance, likely due to its water supply.

Semantic Range

Place names incorporating 'Baal' or 'Baalath' (referring to the Canaanite deity or the title 'lord/lady') were common in ancient Palestine, often denoting ownership or patronage of a site. A 'well' was a critical community asset, and naming a town 'mistress of the well' highlights the cultural and survival importance of reliable water sources. This name may have pre-Israelite origins, later adopted by the Israelites.

בְּאֵר (Bᵉʼêr, H875) — The simpler term for 'well,' without the possessive/descriptive element. בְּאֵר שֶׁבַע (Bᵉʼêr Shevaʿ, H884) — Another well-known compound place name, 'well of the oath' (Genesis 21:31).

Word Details

Scripture References