Lahai roi
“Well of the Living One who sees me”
Summary
A well between Kadesh and Bered in the Negev, named by Hagar when the Angel of the LORD appeared to her there.
☩Hagar's Encounter
When Hagar fled from Sarah's harsh treatment during her pregnancy, the Angel of the LORD found her by a spring in the wilderness (Genesis 16:7-14). After receiving divine instructions and promises concerning her son Ishmael, Hagar named the LORD who spoke to her 'Thou God seest me' and called the well Beer-lahai-roi, meaning 'well of the Living One who sees me.' The well was located between Kadesh and Bered in the wilderness region south of Canaan.
☩Isaac's Residence
Beer-lahai-roi later became associated with Isaac. He was living near this well when the servant returned with Rebekah from Mesopotamia (Genesis 24:62), and he made his home there after Abraham's death (Genesis 25:11). The location's significance as a place of divine encounter may have drawn Isaac to settle there, continuing the connection between his family and this sacred site.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Lahai-Roi," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. V (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Lahairoi," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).