בְּאֵר שֶׁבַע

בְּאֵר שֶׁבַע

Beer-Sheba, a place in Palestine

Definition

Beer-Sheba is a significant southern city in the biblical narrative, most famously known as the 'well of the oath' or 'well of the seven.' This name originates from the covenant oaths sworn there by Abraham (Genesis 21:31) and Isaac (Genesis 26:33) with Abimelech, securing their rights to a vital water source. The site became a major patriarchal settlement and a key southern boundary marker for Israel, often paired with Dan to describe the nation's full extent 'from Dan to Beer-Sheba' (e.g., Judges 20:1, 1 Samuel 3:20). It also served as a place of worship, where Abraham planted a tamarisk tree and called on the name of the LORD (Genesis 21:33).

Biblical Usage

Beer-Sheba is used exclusively as a proper place name, appearing 33 times across 8 Old Testament books. It is most frequent in Genesis, detailing its founding by the patriarchs (Genesis 21:14-33, 26:23-33). Later historical and prophetic books reference it as a defining southern city, symbolizing the nation's territory (2 Samuel 24:7) or as a site of idolatry condemned by the prophet Amos (Amos 5:5, 8:14). Its usage consistently marks a geographical and spiritual landmark.

Etymology

The name is a compound of two Hebrew words: בְּאֵר (Bᵉʼêr, H875), meaning 'well,' and שֶׁבַע (Shebaʻ, H7651), meaning 'seven' or 'oath.' It derives from the root שָׁבַע (shāvaʻ, H7650), 'to swear.' The name thus means 'Well of the Oath' or 'Well of the Seven,' commemorating the seven ewe lambs involved in the covenant oath (Genesis 21:28-31) that secured the well.

Semantic Range

Beer-Sheba is theologically significant as a covenant landmark, where God's promises of land and progeny to Abraham and Isaac were tangibly affirmed through peaceful resolution and provision. Its role as a boundary ('from Dan to Beer-Sheba') symbolizes the fulfillment of the territorial promise. The patriarchs' worship there connects the promise to divine reverence. Its later corruption into a site of false worship (Amos 5:5) highlights the theme of Israel's spiritual decline, making it a symbol of both covenant fidelity and apostasy. In the arid Negev region, a reliable well was a source of life, wealth, and conflict. Securing water rights through a sworn oath was a solemn, binding cultural practice. Establishing Beer-Sheba transformed a contested resource into a permanent, inherited settlement, foundational for tribal identity. As the southernmost major Israelite city, it represented the edge of cultivated land and controlled trade routes, giving the phrase 'from Dan to Beer-Sheba' profound geographical and political meaning. None directly applicable as a unique place name. For 'well,' see: בְּאֵר (Bᵉʼêr, H875) — a general term for a well or pit. For 'oath,' see: שְׁבוּעָה (shᵉḇûʻâ, H7621) — a sworn oath or curse.

Word Details