Bereshis 21:31

31 Therefore he called that place Beer-Sheva; because there they swore an oath both of them.

Bereshis 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.

Bereshis 21:31 In-Context

29 And Avimelech said unto Avraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set apart by themselves?

30 And he said, For these sheva ewe lambs shalt thou accept of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have dug this well.

31 Therefore he called that place Beer-Sheva; because there they swore an oath both of them.

32 Thus they made a brit at Beer-Sheva: then Avimelech rose up, and Phichol the sar tzeva of his, and they returned into eretz Pelishtim.

33 And Avraham planted an eshel (tamarisk tree) in Beer-Sheva, and called there on the Shem of Hashem El Olam.