Genesis 21:31

31 That place was named Beersheba. That's because there the two men made a promise with 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.

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FOOTNOTES:

F20 (arqy) "vocatus", V. L. Calvin, Piscator.

Genesis 21:31 In-Context

29 Abimelech asked Abraham, "What's the meaning of these seven female lambs? Why have you taken them out and put them by themselves?"

30 Abraham replied, "Accept the seven lambs from me. They will be a witness that I dug this well."

31 That place was named Beersheba. That's because there the two men made a promise with an oath.

32 After the peace treaty had been made at Beersheba, Abimelech went back to the land of the Philistines. His army commander Phicol went with him.

33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba. There he worshiped the Lord, the God who lives forever.