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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 21:31 So that place was called Beersheba, because it was there that the two of them swore an oath.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/21-31.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/01_Gen_21_31.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 21:31 - The Covenant at Beersheba" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So that place was called Beersheba, because it was there that the two of them swore an oath." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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because there they sware both of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because the two of them swore an oath there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because there the two of them took an oath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because there the two of them took an oath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Therefore he called that place Beersheba; because there the two of them took an oath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because there the two of them swore <i>an oath</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Therefore that place was called Beersheba (Well of the Oath or Well of the Seven), because there the two of them swore an oath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Therefore that place was called Beer-sheba because it was there that the two of them swore an oath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Therefore that place was called Beer-sheba because it was there that the two of them swore an oath. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Wherefore he called that place Beer-sheba; because there they sware both of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />So they called the place Beersheba, because they made a treaty there. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Wherefore he called that place Beer-sheba; because there they sware both of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />This is why that place is called Beersheba, because both of them swore an oath there. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />And so the place was called Beersheba, because it was there that the two of them made a vow. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Therefore that place was called Beer-sheba, because the two of them swore an oath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So that place was called Beersheba, because it was there that the two of them swore an oath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />That is why he named that place Beer Sheba, because the two of them swore an oath there. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because they both swore there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Wherefore he called that place Beer-sheba: because there they swore both of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because they both swore an oath there. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />therefore he has called that place “Beer-Sheba,” for both of them have sworn there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> therefore hath he called that place 'Beer-Sheba,' for there have both of them sworn.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For this he called that place, The well of the oath, for there they two aware.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Therefore that place was called Bersabee: because both of them did swear. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For this reason, that place was called Beersheba, because there both of them did swear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />This is why the place is called Beer-sheba; the two of them took an oath there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Therefore that place was called Beer-sheba; because there both of them swore an oath.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Therefore he called that place Beer-sheba, because there they swore both of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because of this he called that place Beersheba, because there both of them had sworn.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Wherefore that place was called Beer-sheba; because there they swore both of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Therefore he named the name of that place, The Well of the Oath, for there they both swore.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/21-31.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=4769" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/21.htm">The Covenant at Beersheba</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">30</span>He replied, “You are to accept the seven ewe lambs from my hand as my witness that I dug this well.” <span class="reftext">31</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">So</a> <a href="/hebrew/3651.htm" title="3651: kên (Adv) -- So, thus. From kuwn; properly, set upright; hence just; but usually rightly or so."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: ha·hū (Art:: Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/884.htm" title="884: bə·’êr (Prep) -- Well of seven, a place in the Negev. From 'er and sheba'; well of an oath; Beer-Sheba, a place in Palestine."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4725.htm" title="4725: lam·mā·qō·wm (Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- Or maqom; also mqowmah; or mqomah; from quwm; properly, a standing, i.e. A spot; but used widely of a locality; also of a condition.">place</a> <a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: qā·rā (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">was called</a> <a href="/hebrew/884.htm" title="884: šā·ḇa‘ (N-proper-fs) -- Well of seven, a place in the Negev. From 'er and sheba'; well of an oath; Beer-Sheba, a place in Palestine.">Beersheba,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">because</a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: šām (Adv) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence.">it was there</a> <a href="/hebrew/8147.htm" title="8147: šə·nê·hem (Number-mdc:: 3mp) -- Two (a card. number). Dual of sheniy; feminine shttayim; two; also twofold.">that the two</a> <a href="/hebrew/7650.htm" title="7650: niš·bə·‘ū (V-Nifal-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; propr. To be complete, but used only as a denominative from sheba'; to seven oneself, i.e. Swear.">of them swore an oath.</a> </span><span class="reftext">32</span>After they had made the covenant at Beersheba, Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army got up and returned to the land of the Philistines.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/26-33.htm">Genesis 26:33</a></span><br />So he called it Shibah, and to this day the name of the city is Beersheba.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/26-20.htm">Genesis 26:20-22</a></span><br />But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen and said, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Esek, because they contended with him. / Then they dug another well and quarreled over that one also; so he named it Sitnah. / He moved on from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over it. He named it Rehoboth and said, “At last the LORD has made room for us, and we will be fruitful in the land.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/16-14.htm">Genesis 16:14</a></span><br />Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi. It is located between Kadesh and Bered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/28-10.htm">Genesis 28:10</a></span><br />Meanwhile Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Haran.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/12-8.htm">Genesis 12:8</a></span><br />From there Abram moved on to the hill country east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. There he built an altar to the LORD, and he called on the name of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/13-3.htm">Genesis 13:3</a></span><br />From the Negev he journeyed from place to place toward Bethel, until he came to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had formerly been pitched,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/22-19.htm">Genesis 22:19</a></span><br />Abraham went back to his servants, and they got up and set out together for Beersheba. And Abraham settled in Beersheba.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/24-62.htm">Genesis 24:62</a></span><br />Now Isaac had just returned from Beer-lahai-roi, for he was living in the Negev.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/31-47.htm">Genesis 31:47-48</a></span><br />Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha, and Jacob called it Galeed. / Then Laban declared, “This mound is a witness between you and me this day.” Therefore the place was called Galeed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/33-17.htm">Genesis 33:17</a></span><br />but Jacob went on to Succoth, where he built a house for himself and shelters for his livestock; that is why the place was called Succoth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/35-7.htm">Genesis 35:7</a></span><br />There Jacob built an altar, and he called that place El-bethel, because it was there that God had revealed Himself to Jacob as he fled from his brother.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/46-1.htm">Genesis 46:1</a></span><br />So Israel set out with all that he had, and when he came to Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/17-7.htm">Exodus 17:7</a></span><br />He named the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled, and because they tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/5-9.htm">Joshua 5:9</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” So that place has been called Gilgal to this day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/7-12.htm">1 Samuel 7:12</a></span><br />Afterward, Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Why he called that place Beersheba; because there they swore both of them.</p><p class="hdg">called.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/26-33.htm">Genesis 26:33</a></b></br> And he called it Shebah: therefore the name of the city <i>is</i> Beersheba unto this day.</p><p class="hdg">Beer-sheba.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/21-14.htm">Genesis 21:14</a></b></br> And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave <i>it</i> unto Hagar, putting <i>it</i> on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/26-23.htm">Genesis 26:23</a></b></br> And he went up from thence to Beersheba.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/15-28.htm">Joshua 15:28</a></b></br> And Hazarshual, and Beersheba, and Bizjothjah,</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/21-14.htm">Beersheba</a> <a href="/genesis/21-14.htm">Beer-Sheba</a> <a href="/genesis/21-24.htm">Oath</a> <a href="/hebrews/6-16.htm">Oaths</a> <a href="/revelation/10-6.htm">Sware</a> <a href="/revelation/10-6.htm">Swore</a> <a href="/genesis/14-22.htm">Sworn</a> <a href="/genesis/21-10.htm">Wherefore</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/21-32.htm">Beersheba</a> <a href="/genesis/21-32.htm">Beer-Sheba</a> <a href="/genesis/22-16.htm">Oath</a> <a href="/genesis/26-31.htm">Oaths</a> <a href="/genesis/24-7.htm">Sware</a> <a href="/genesis/24-7.htm">Swore</a> <a href="/genesis/22-16.htm">Sworn</a> <a href="/genesis/24-31.htm">Wherefore</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/21-1.htm">Isaac is born, and circumcised.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/21-6.htm">Sarah's joy.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/21-8.htm">Isaac is weaned.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/21-9.htm">Hagar and Ishmael sent away.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/21-15.htm">Hagar in distress.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/21-17.htm">The angel relieves and comforts her.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/21-23.htm">Abimelech's covenant with Abraham at Beersheba.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>So that place was called Beersheba</b><br>The name "Beersheba" is derived from two Hebrew words: "beer," meaning "well," and "sheba," meaning "oath" or "seven." This location is significant in biblical history as a site of covenant-making. Beersheba is situated in the southern part of Israel, marking the boundary of the Promised Land. It became a central location for the patriarchs, including Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Archaeological evidence suggests that Beersheba was an important settlement during the time of the patriarchs, with remains of ancient wells and fortifications.<p><b>because it was there that the two of them swore an oath</b><br>The "two of them" refers to Abraham and Abimelech, the king of Gerar. This oath was a formal agreement to settle a dispute over a well of water, which was a crucial resource in the arid region. The act of swearing an oath was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern cultures to ensure peace and cooperation. This event highlights the importance of water rights and the establishment of peaceful relations between different groups. The oath at Beersheba also prefigures the concept of covenant, which is central to biblical theology and finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Covenant through Jesus Christ. The swearing of oaths in the Bible often points to God's faithfulness and the seriousness of commitments made before Him.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a></b><br>The patriarch of the Israelites, who made a covenant with Abimelech at Beersheba.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/abimelech.htm">Abimelech</a></b><br>The king of Gerar, who entered into a covenant with Abraham to ensure peaceful relations.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/beersheba.htm">Beersheba</a></b><br>The location where Abraham and Abimelech made their covenant, named for the oath sworn there. The name "Beersheba" is derived from the Hebrew words "be'er" (well) and "sheba" (oath or seven), indicating the well of the oath or the well of seven.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_oath.htm">The Oath</a></b><br>A formal agreement between Abraham and Abimelech, signifying peace and mutual respect.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_well.htm">The Well</a></b><br>A significant resource in the arid region, symbolizing sustenance and life, and the subject of the covenant.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_covenants.htm">The Importance of Covenants</a></b><br>Covenants are foundational in biblical accounts, representing commitments and relationships. They remind us of the seriousness of our promises to God and others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness.htm">God's Faithfulness</a></b><br>Just as God was faithful to Abraham in securing peace and provision, He remains faithful to His promises to us today.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_significance_of_names.htm">The Significance of Names</a></b><br>Naming places and events in the Bible often carries deep meaning. Beersheba serves as a reminder of God's provision and the importance of peace.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_peace_in_relationships.htm">The Role of Peace in Relationships</a></b><br>Abraham and Abimelech's covenant highlights the importance of seeking peace and reconciliation in our relationships.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/resource_stewardship.htm">Resource Stewardship</a></b><br>The well at Beersheba symbolizes the importance of managing and valuing the resources God provides us.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'by_my_spirit'_mean.htm">Where is Beersheba mentioned in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/where_is_beersheba_in_the_bible.htm">Where is Beersheba mentioned in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_simeon's_towns_with_evidence.htm">Joshua 19:2–8: How can we reconcile the extensive list of Simeon’s towns with the limited archaeological evidence for these places? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_abraham_israel's_sole_ancestor.htm">In Isaiah 51:2, how can Abraham be considered the sole origin of a great nation if other historical accounts suggest multiple ancestral lines for Israel? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/genesis/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(31) <span class= "bld">Beer-sheba.</span>--That is, <span class= "ital">the well of seven, </span>but with a covert allusion to the seven lambs having been used for the ratification of an oath. Robinson found the exact site in the Wady-es-Seba, with its name still preserved as Bir-es-Seba. There are there two wells of solid construction, the first twelve and a half feet in diameter; the other, situated about 200 yards to the south, much smaller, being only five feet in diameter. Both are lined with solid masonry, and reach down to never-failing springs in the rock. Around are stone troughs for watering the cattle, and the parapet of the larger well is worn into deep indentations, by the ropes used in drawing the water (Finn,<span class= "ital"> Bye-ways in Palestine, </span>p. 190).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/genesis/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 31.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Wherefore he called that place Beersheba</span>. <span class="accented">I.e.</span> "the well of the oath," <span class="greek">φρέαρ ὁρκισμοῦ</span> (LXX., Gesenius, Furst, Rosenmüller), or the well of the seven (Keil), rather than the seven wells (Lange); discovered by Robinson in <span class="accented">Bir-es-seba, in</span> the Wady-es-seba, twelve miles to the south of Hebron, with two deep wells of excellent water. "The great well has an internal diameter at the mouth of twelve feet six inches, or a circumference of nearly forty feet. The shaft is formed of excellent masonry to a great depth until it reaches the rock, and at this juncture a spring trickles perpetually. Around the mouth of the well is a circular course of masonry, topped by a circular parapet of about a foot high; and at a distance of ten or twelve feet are stone troughs placed in a concentric circle with the well, the sides of which have deep indentions made by the wear of ropes on the upper edges The second well, about 200 yards farther south, is not more than five feet in diameter, but is formed of equally good masonry, and furnishes equally good water" (<span class="accented">vide</span> 'Byeways in Palestine,' by James Finn, M.R.A.S., p. 190). <span class="cmt_word">Because there they aware both of them.</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/21-31.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">So</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">הַה֖וּא</span> <span class="translit">(ha·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">place</span><br /><span class="heb">לַמָּק֥וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(lam·mā·qō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4725.htm">Strong's 4725: </a> </span><span class="str2">A standing, a spot, a condition</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was called</span><br /><span class="heb">קָרָ֛א</span> <span class="translit">(qā·rā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, proclaim, read</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Beersheba,</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁ֑בַע</span> <span class="translit">(šā·ḇa‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_884.htm">Strong's 884: </a> </span><span class="str2">Beersheba -- 'well of seven', a place in the Negev</span><br /><br /><span class="word">because</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֛י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it was there</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(šām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8033.htm">Strong's 8033: </a> </span><span class="str2">There, then, thither</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that the two</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁנֵיהֶֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(šə·nê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - mdc | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8147.htm">Strong's 8147: </a> </span><span class="str2">Two (a cardinal number)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of them swore an oath.</span><br /><span class="heb">נִשְׁבְּע֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(niš·bə·‘ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7650.htm">Strong's 7650: </a> </span><span class="str2">To seven oneself, swear</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/21-31.htm">Genesis 21:31 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/21-31.htm">Genesis 21:31 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/21-31.htm">Genesis 21:31 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/21-31.htm">Genesis 21:31 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/21-31.htm">Genesis 21:31 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/21-31.htm">Genesis 21:31 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/21-31.htm">Genesis 21:31 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/21-31.htm">Genesis 21:31 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/21-31.htm">Genesis 21:31 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/21-31.htm">Genesis 21:31 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/21-31.htm">OT Law: Genesis 21:31 Therefore he called that place Beersheba because (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/21-30.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 21:30"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 21:30" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/21-32.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 21:32"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 21:32" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>