Beer Sheba
“Well of the oath, or well of seven”
Summary
The southernmost city of Israel, associated with the patriarchs Abraham and Isaac, marking the traditional southern boundary expressed in the phrase 'from Dan to Beer-sheba.'
☩Patriarchal History
Abraham dug a well here and made a covenant with Abimelech, naming the place Beer-sheba ('well of the oath' or 'well of seven'). Abraham planted a tamarisk tree and called on the name of the Lord. Isaac later returned to Beer-sheba, where God appeared to him and renewed the covenant promises.
☩Jacob's Journey
Jacob departed from Beer-sheba when fleeing to Haran, experiencing the vision of the heavenly ladder at Bethel along the way. Years later, he offered sacrifices at Beer-sheba before going down to Egypt to see Joseph.
☩Territorial Significance
Beer-sheba became part of the tribal inheritance, first assigned to Judah and later to Simeon. The phrase 'from Dan to Beer-sheba' became the standard expression for the entire extent of the promised land.
Related Verses15 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Beer-Sheba," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Beersheba," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).