Genesis 21:31
New International Version
So that place was called Beersheba, because the two men swore an oath there.

New Living Translation
Then he named the place Beersheba (which means “well of the oath”), because that was where they had sworn the oath.

English Standard Version
Therefore that place was called Beersheba, because there both of them swore an oath.

Berean Standard Bible
So that place was called Beersheba, because it was there that the two of them swore an oath.

King James Bible
Wherefore he called that place Beersheba; because there they sware both of them.

New King James Version
Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because the two of them swore an oath there.

New American Standard Bible
Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because there the two of them took an oath.

NASB 1995
Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because there the two of them took an oath.

NASB 1977
Therefore he called that place Beersheba; because there the two of them took an oath.

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because there the two of them swore an oath.

Amplified Bible
Therefore that place was called Beersheba (Well of the Oath or Well of the Seven), because there the two of them swore an oath.

Christian Standard Bible
Therefore that place was called Beer-sheba because it was there that the two of them swore an oath.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Therefore that place was called Beer-sheba because it was there that the two of them swore an oath.

American Standard Version
Wherefore he called that place Beer-sheba; because there they sware both of them.

Contemporary English Version
So they called the place Beersheba, because they made a treaty there.

English Revised Version
Wherefore he called that place Beer-sheba; because there they sware both of them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is why that place is called Beersheba, because both of them swore an oath there.

Good News Translation
And so the place was called Beersheba, because it was there that the two of them made a vow.

International Standard Version
Therefore that place was called Beer-sheba, because the two of them swore an oath.

Majority Standard Bible
So that place was called Beersheba, because it was there that the two of them swore an oath.

NET Bible
That is why he named that place Beer Sheba, because the two of them swore an oath there.

New Heart English Bible
Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because they both swore there.

Webster's Bible Translation
Wherefore he called that place Beer-sheba: because there they swore both of them.

World English Bible
Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because they both swore an oath there.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
therefore he has called that place “Beer-Sheba,” for both of them have sworn there.

Young's Literal Translation
therefore hath he called that place 'Beer-Sheba,' for there have both of them sworn.

Smith's Literal Translation
For this he called that place, The well of the oath, for there they two aware.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Therefore that place was called Bersabee: because both of them did swear.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For this reason, that place was called Beersheba, because there both of them did swear.

New American Bible
This is why the place is called Beer-sheba; the two of them took an oath there.

New Revised Standard Version
Therefore that place was called Beer-sheba; because there both of them swore an oath.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Therefore he called that place Beer-sheba, because there they swore both of them.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because of this he called that place Beersheba, because there both of them had sworn.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Wherefore that place was called Beer-sheba; because there they swore both of them.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Therefore he named the name of that place, The Well of the Oath, for there they both swore.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Covenant at Beersheba
30He replied, “You are to accept the seven ewe lambs from my hand as my witness that I dug this well.” 31So that place was called Beersheba, because it was there that the two of them swore an oath. 32After 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.…

Cross References
Genesis 26:33
So he called it Shibah, and to this day the name of the city is Beersheba.

Genesis 26:20-22
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.”

Genesis 16:14
Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi. It is located between Kadesh and Bered.

Genesis 28:10
Meanwhile Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Haran.

Genesis 12:8
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.

Genesis 13:3
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,

Genesis 22:19
Abraham went back to his servants, and they got up and set out together for Beersheba. And Abraham settled in Beersheba.

Genesis 24:62
Now Isaac had just returned from Beer-lahai-roi, for he was living in the Negev.

Genesis 31:47-48
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.

Genesis 33:17
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.

Genesis 35:7
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.

Genesis 46:1
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.

Exodus 17:7
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?”

Joshua 5:9
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.

1 Samuel 7:12
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.”


Treasury of Scripture

Why he called that place Beersheba; because there they swore both of them.

called.

Genesis 26:33
And he called it Shebah: therefore the name of the city is Beersheba unto this day.

Beer-sheba.

Genesis 21:14
And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.

Genesis 26:23
And he went up from thence to Beersheba.

Joshua 15:28
And Hazarshual, and Beersheba, and Bizjothjah,

Jump to Previous
Beersheba Beer-Sheba Oath Oaths Sware Swore Sworn Wherefore
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Beersheba Beer-Sheba Oath Oaths Sware Swore Sworn Wherefore
Genesis 21
1. Isaac is born, and circumcised.
6. Sarah's joy.
8. Isaac is weaned.
9. Hagar and Ishmael sent away.
15. Hagar in distress.
17. The angel relieves and comforts her.
23. Abimelech's covenant with Abraham at Beersheba.














So that place
The phrase "so that place" refers to a specific location that holds significant historical and spiritual importance. In the Hebrew context, the word for "place" is "מָקוֹם" (maqom), which often denotes a site of divine encounter or covenant. This highlights the importance of physical locations in the biblical narrative, where God’s promises and human actions intersect. Theologically, it reminds us that God often uses specific places to fulfill His purposes and establish His covenants.

was called
The act of naming in the Bible is deeply significant, often reflecting the character or destiny of a person or place. The Hebrew verb "קָרָא" (qara) means "to call" or "to name," indicating an authoritative declaration. In this context, naming the place Beersheba signifies a formal recognition of the events that transpired there, embedding the location with historical and spiritual meaning. It underscores the power of words and names in shaping identity and memory.

Beersheba
Beersheba, from the Hebrew "בְּאֵר שֶׁבַע" (Be'er Sheva), translates to "Well of the Oath" or "Well of Seven." This dual meaning reflects both the oath made between Abraham and Abimelech and the seven ewe lambs that Abraham set apart as a witness. Beersheba becomes a symbol of peace and covenant, a place where disputes are resolved through mutual agreement. Historically, Beersheba is a significant city in the southern part of Israel, often seen as the southern boundary of the Promised Land, emphasizing its role as a landmark of God’s promises.

because it was there
This phrase emphasizes the specific location where the events occurred, reinforcing the idea that God’s actions in history are tied to real places and times. The Hebrew word "שָׁם" (sham) means "there," pointing to the tangible reality of God’s interventions in human affairs. It serves as a reminder that God’s covenants and promises are not abstract but are grounded in the physical world.

that the two of them
The "two of them" refers to Abraham and Abimelech, representing a moment of reconciliation and agreement between two leaders. This phrase highlights the importance of relationships and diplomacy in the biblical narrative. It underscores the biblical principle of living peaceably with others and the value of making covenants to ensure harmony and mutual respect.

swore an oath
The act of swearing an oath, "נִשְׁבְּעוּ" (nishbe'u) in Hebrew, is a solemn promise or commitment made before God. In ancient Near Eastern culture, oaths were binding and sacred, often invoking divine witnesses. This oath between Abraham and Abimelech signifies a formal and binding agreement, reflecting the seriousness with which God’s people are to approach promises and covenants. It serves as a reminder of the faithfulness required in our commitments, both to God and to others.

(31) Beer-sheba.--That is, the well of seven, 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, Bye-ways in Palestine, p. 190).

Verse 31. - Wherefore he called that place Beersheba. I.e. "the well of the oath," φρέαρ ὁρκισμοῦ (LXX., Gesenius, Furst, Rosenmüller), or the well of the seven (Keil), rather than the seven wells (Lange); discovered by Robinson in Bir-es-seba, in 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" (vide 'Byeways in Palestine,' by James Finn, M.R.A.S., p. 190). Because there they aware both of them.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

that
הַה֖וּא (ha·hū)
Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

place
לַמָּק֥וֹם (lam·mā·qō·wm)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition

was called
קָרָ֛א (qā·rā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

Beersheba,
שָׁ֑בַע (šā·ḇa‘)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 884: Beersheba -- 'well of seven', a place in the Negev

because
כִּ֛י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

it was there
שָׁ֥ם (šām)
Adverb
Strong's 8033: There, then, thither

that the two
שְׁנֵיהֶֽם׃ (šə·nê·hem)
Number - mdc | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

of them swore an oath.
נִשְׁבְּע֖וּ (niš·bə·‘ū)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7650: To seven oneself, swear


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OT Law: Genesis 21:31 Therefore he called that place Beersheba because (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 21:30
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