Genesis 21:31

Listen to Genesis 21:31
31 Therefore 1that place was called Beersheba, [a] because there both of them swore an oath.

Genesis 21:31 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 21:31

Wherefore he called that place Beersheba
Either Abraham or Abimelech, or both, called it so; or it may be read impersonally, "therefore the place was called Beersheba" F20, for two reasons, one implied, the other expressed; one was, because of the seven lambs before mentioned; so the Targum of Jonathan,

``and therefore he called the well the well of seven lambs;''
"Beer" signifying a well, and "sheba" seven; the other, and which is more certain, being expressed, is as follows; because there they sware both of them;
by the living God, to keep the covenant inviolably they had made between them.
FOOTNOTES:

F20 (arqy) "vocatus", V. L. Calvin, Piscator.
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Genesis 21:31 In-Context

29 And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs that you have set apart? ”
30 He said, “These seven ewe lambs you will take from my hand, that this may be a witness for me that I dug this well. ”
31 Therefore that place was called Beersheba, because there both of them swore an oath.
32 So they made a covenant at Beersheba. Then Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army rose up and returned to the land of the Philistines.
33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called there on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God.

Cross References 1

  • 1. 21:31 ch. 26:33

Footnotes 1

  • [a] 21:31 'Beersheba' means 'well of seven' or 'well of the oath'
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025