Genesis 26:33

33 He called it Shibah; therefore, the city's name has been Beer-sheba until today.

Genesis 26:33 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 26:33

And he called it Sheba
Which, according to Jerom, signifies "fulness", as if it had its name from the abundance of water in it; but rather it signifies an "oath", and was so called from the oath, which he and Abimelech had just took to one another; and these circumstances meeting together, the taking of the oath, and the account of the well, therefore the name of the city is Beersheba unto this day;
that is, the well of the oath: it had been so called by Abraham an hundred years ago or more; but now upon this occasion it was renewed and confirmed, and so continued until the times of Moses, and many ages after.

Genesis 26:33 In-Context

31 They got up early in the morning, and they gave each other their word. Isaac sent them off, and they left peacefully.
32 That day Isaac's servants informed him about the well that they had been digging and said to him, "We found water."
33 He called it Shibah; therefore, the city's name has been Beer-sheba until today.
34 When Esau was 40 years old, he married Judith daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath daughter of Elon the Hittite.
35 They made life very difficult for Isaac and Rebekah.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Or giving one’s word or seven
  • [b]. Or Well of giving one’s word or Well of seven
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible