Bible Word Study
בְּשׂוֹר
Bᵉsôwr · Besor, a stream of Palestine
בְּשׂוֹר
Besor, a stream of Palestine
Definition
Besor is the name of a seasonal stream or wadi in southern Judah, mentioned only in the context of David's pursuit of the Amalekites in 1 Samuel 30. It served as a significant geographical marker, dividing David's forces during the campaign. The name itself, meaning 'cheerful' or 'good news,' provides a stark contrast to the weary and distressed state of the 200 men who remained at the brook while 400 continued the pursuit (1 Samuel 30:10, 21).
Biblical Usage
The word בְּשׂוֹר is used exclusively as a proper noun for a location in 1 Samuel 30. It appears three times, each time identifying the 'brook Besor' (נַחַל בְּשׂוֹר). Its usage is purely geographical, marking the point where David's exhausted men stayed behind with the baggage (1 Samuel 30:9-10) and where David later returned to greet and share the spoils with them (1 Samuel 30:21).
Etymology
Derived from the root בָּשַׂר (bāśar, H1319), which means 'to bear news,' 'to announce,' or 'to be fresh/fat.' The specific form בְּשׂוֹר (Besor) is understood to mean 'cheerful' or 'good news,' likely referring to the nature of the stream itself (e.g., a welcome source of water in a dry region) or the positive outcome of events associated with it.
Semantic Range
While the name itself is a geographical marker, its etymological meaning ('good news') and its narrative context in 1 Samuel 30 offer a subtle theological insight. The story at the Brook Besor establishes a principle of equitable sharing in God's blessings, even for those too weary to fight (1 Samuel 30:24-25). David's action there reflects God's grace and justice, prefiguring a community where all participants in the mission share in its rewards. In the arid climate of the Negev region, a seasonal stream (wadi or 'brook') like the Besor was a crucial landmark and resource. Its name likely reflected its value as a source of water and refreshment. The event described in 1 Samuel 30 highlights the practical military reality of leaving exhausted troops at a secure, well-watered location to guard supplies while a fresher force pursued the enemy. נַחַל (naḥal, H5158) — The common Hebrew word for 'brook,' 'valley,' or 'wadi,' of which Besor is a specific instance.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB, 1906, public domain). Concordance and morphology data are from the OSHB (Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible).
Full methodology & sources →References
- Abbott-Smith, G. (1921) A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Brown, F., Driver, S.R. and Briggs, C.A. (1906) A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press. [Public Domain]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Tyndale Brief lexicon of Extended Strongs for Greek (TBESG). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Formatted full LSJ (TFLSJ). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
- Thayer, J.H. (1889) A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. [Public Domain]
- Gesenius, W. (1846) Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament. [Public Domain]
- Dodson, J. (2010) Greek Lexicon. Biblical Humanities. [CC0]