Genesis 16:14

KJV

Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi; behold, [it is] between Kadesh and Bered.

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore the well {H875} was called {H7121} Beerlahairoi {H883}{H2416}; behold, it is between Kadesh {H6946} and Bered {H1260}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This is why the well has been called Be'er-Lachai-Ro'i [well of the one who lives and sees]; it lies between Kadesh and Bered.

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi. It is located between Kadesh and Bered.

American Standard Version

Wherefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse concludes the poignant narrative of Hagar's divine encounter in the wilderness, recording the naming of the well Beerlahairoi, a Hebrew phrase meaning "the well of the Living One who sees me." Its precise geographical location, "between Kadesh and Bered," is meticulously noted, immortalizing the specific place where God's compassionate presence brought comfort, direction, and life-sustaining provision to a distressed and marginalized Hagar.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Genesis 16:14 serves as the climactic conclusion to the significant narrative of Hagar's flight and divine encounter, which begins with Sarai's harsh treatment of her handmaid ([Genesis 16:6](/genesis/16-6 "Sarai's harsh treatment of Hagar")). Pregnant with Abram's child, Hagar flees into the desolate wilderness, a place of extreme vulnerability. It is here that the Angel of the Lord miraculously appears to her, offering specific instructions to return to Sarai and a profound promise concerning her unborn son, Ishmael, assuring her of an innumerable lineage ([Genesis 16:10](/genesis/16-10 "The Angel's promise to Hagar concerning Ishmael")). Overwhelmed by this unexpected divine intervention and personal acknowledgment, Hagar responds with a profound theological declaration, "Thou God seest me" ([Genesis 16:13](/genesis/16-13 "Hagar's declaration of God's seeing presence")), and subsequently names the well to commemorate this life-altering revelation. This naming act solidifies the spiritual significance of the physical location, marking it as a perpetual reminder of God's active involvement in the lives of the overlooked.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, wells were not merely sources of water; they were vital lifelines, often serving as gathering places, territorial markers, and sites of significant events, especially in arid regions like the Negev where Hagar found herself. The naming of a well after a pivotal experience, as seen here, was a common cultural practice, transforming a geographical feature into a memorial of divine interaction. Hagar's status as an Egyptian handmaid, particularly one bearing the heir of her mistress's husband, placed her in a precarious social position, highlighting the cultural complexities of surrogacy (as practiced by Sarai and Abram). Her flight into the wilderness underscores the severe consequences for a servant who displeased her mistress, making God's direct intervention all the more remarkable and counter-cultural, demonstrating a divine concern that transcended social hierarchies and ethnic boundaries. The mention of "Kadesh" (likely Kadesh-barnea) and "Bered" provides geographical anchors in a region known for its harshness, emphasizing the miraculous nature of finding sustenance and divine presence in such a desolate environment.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Genesis and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **God's Omniscience and Compassion**, demonstrating that God sees and cares for the marginalized and vulnerable, even those outside the immediate covenant family. Hagar's encounter underscores God's personal knowledge of individual suffering and His willingness to intervene directly. It also highlights the theme of **Divine Providence and Provision**, as God provides not only spiritual comfort but also physical sustenance (the well) in a barren land, ensuring Hagar's survival and the continuation of Ishmael's lineage. Furthermore, the act of naming the well reinforces the biblical theme of **Commemoration of Divine Encounters**, where significant places are named to serve as lasting memorials to God's faithfulness and intervention, ensuring that future generations remember His mighty acts, much like Jacob named Bethel ([Genesis 28:19](/genesis/28-19 "Jacob names Bethel after his dream")) or the Israelites named Ebenezer ([1_samuel/7-12](/1-samuel/7-12 "Samuel names Ebenezer after God's help")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Genesis 16:14 states: "Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi; behold, [it is] between Kadesh and Bered." This verse culminates Hagar's profound encounter, focusing on the naming of the well and its geographical markers.

#### Key Word Analysis
* **well (Hebrew, _bᵉʼêr'_):** From the root _bāʼar_, meaning "a pit," specifically "a well." This word refers to a dug source of water, a vital resource in the desert. In this context, it signifies not just a physical location but a place of life-sustaining provision, directly linked to God's intervention for Hagar.
* **called (Hebrew, _qârâʼ'_):** A primitive root meaning "to call out to," "address by name," or "proclaim." Here, it denotes the act of naming the well, which serves as a public declaration and a permanent memorial. The naming is not arbitrary but a direct response to a profound spiritual experience, signifying an acknowledgment of God's presence and action.
* **Beerlahairoi (Hebrew, _Bᵉʼêr la-Chay Rôʼîy'_):** This is a compound Hebrew phrase, meticulously constructed from "well" (_bᵉʼêr_), "to the Living One" (_la-Chay_, from _chay_ meaning "alive" or "living"), and "my Seer" (_Rôʼîy_, from _ra'ah_ meaning "to see"). The full name translates to "the well of the Living One who sees me" or "the well of the Living One of my seeing." This name perfectly encapsulates Hagar's experience: she was seen, acknowledged, and provided for by the living God in her distress, affirming God's personal and active involvement in her life.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi":** This clause directly links the naming of the well to Hagar's preceding declaration and experience. The act of calling the well "Beerlahairoi" is a commemorative act, solidifying the profound spiritual encounter into a tangible, permanent marker. It signifies Hagar's acknowledgment of God's personal attention and care, transforming a desolate spot into a place of divine revelation and provision. The name itself becomes a theological statement, testifying to God's attribute as the "Living One who sees."
* **"behold, [it is] between Kadesh and Bered":** This clause provides the precise geographical location of the well. "Kadesh" (likely Kadesh-barnea) was a significant oasis and a well-known landmark in the Negev desert, often associated with later Israelite wanderings. "Bered" is less certainly identified but is understood to be in the same general arid region. The inclusion of these specific geographical markers grounds the spiritual event in historical reality, emphasizing that God's intervention occurred in a real, desolate place, making His provision and presence all the more striking and memorable. It ensures that the location of this profound encounter is not forgotten.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Naming Convention** is central, as the act of naming the well "Beerlahairoi" transforms a physical location into a symbolic memorial of a divine encounter. This is a common biblical practice, where names convey meaning and commemorate significant events, ensuring their remembrance across generations. **Symbolism** is also profoundly present; the "well" itself symbolizes life, sustenance, and divine provision in a barren land, representing God's active care for the vulnerable. Furthermore, the name "Beerlahairoi" is a powerful example of **Theological Statement**, as it encapsulates Hagar's profound theological realization ("Thou God seest me") within a geographical marker, making the well a perpetual witness to God's omniscience and compassion. The precise geographical anchoring ("between Kadesh and Bered") functions as **Verisimilitude**, lending authenticity and historical grounding to the narrative, emphasizing that this was a real event in a real place.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 16:14 profoundly illustrates God's intimate knowledge and compassionate care for individuals, particularly the marginalized and overlooked. Hagar, a foreign servant in distress, experiences God's direct intervention and personal acknowledgment, revealing a God who is not confined to human expectations or social hierarchies but actively engages with those in need. This encounter establishes a foundational truth: God sees, hears, and responds to the cries of the vulnerable, providing both spiritual comfort and tangible provision. The naming of the well serves as an enduring testament to this divine attribute, ensuring that the memory of God's faithfulness in a desolate place endures.

* [Psalm 139:7-12](/psalms/139-7-12 "God's Omnipresence and Omniscience")
* [Matthew 10:29-31](/matthew/10-29-31 "God's Care for Every Individual")
* [Isaiah 41:17-18](/isaiah/41-17-18 "God Provides Water in the Wilderness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of Hagar at Beerlahairoi offers profound comfort and practical application for believers today. In a world that often feels overwhelming, isolating, or indifferent, Genesis 16:14 serves as a powerful reminder that no one is invisible to God. Just as Hagar, a marginalized and desperate woman, was seen, heard, and provided for by the "God who sees," we too can find solace in the assurance that our struggles, our loneliness, and our deepest needs are known to Him. This verse encourages us to cultivate a posture of trust, acknowledging that God's compassionate gaze extends to every individual, regardless of their social standing, past mistakes, or current circumstances. It invites us to pause, reflect, and name the "wells" in our own lives—the moments, places, or provisions where God has met us in our distress—as enduring testimonies to His unwavering faithfulness. By remembering Beerlahairoi, we are called to live with the confidence that God is actively involved in our lives, offering hope, direction, and sustenance even in our most barren seasons.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what "wilderness" areas of your life do you feel unseen or overlooked by others, and how does the story of Hagar at Beerlahairoi speak to your current situation?**
* **Can you identify a "Beerlahairoi" in your own life—a specific moment or place where you distinctly felt God's presence, provision, or personal acknowledgment? How can you commemorate or remember that experience more intentionally?**
* **How does the truth that God "sees" you impact your prayer life, your sense of worth, or your willingness to trust Him with your deepest needs?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the well's name, Beerlahairoi?**

Answer: Beerlahairoi is a Hebrew compound phrase meaning "the well of the Living One who sees me." Its significance lies in commemorating Hagar's profound experience of being seen, known, and cared for by God in her distress. The name serves as a perpetual theological statement, emphasizing God's omniscience, compassion, and personal intervention in the lives of individuals, especially the vulnerable and marginalized, transforming a place of despair into a memorial of divine encounter.

**Why is the location "between Kadesh and Bered" mentioned?**

Answer: The geographical markers "between Kadesh and Bered" provide crucial historical and geographical specificity to Hagar's encounter. Kadesh (likely Kadesh-barnea) was a significant and well-known oasis in the Negev desert, while Bered's exact location is less certain but understood to be in the same arid region. This detail grounds the divine encounter in a real, desolate, and historically identifiable setting, underscoring the miraculous nature of God's presence and provision in a remote and seemingly abandoned place. It also serves to authenticate the narrative, making the event tangible and memorable.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Hagar's encounter with the "God who sees" at Beerlahairoi finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Hagar found a well of physical sustenance and spiritual acknowledgment in a specific place, Christ Himself is the living water who truly sees humanity's deepest spiritual thirst and offers eternal life to all who believe ([John 4:10-14](/john/4-10-14 "Jesus offers living water to the Samaritan woman")). The God who saw Hagar in her distress is fully revealed in Jesus, who consistently demonstrated unparalleled compassion for the outcast, the vulnerable, and the forgotten, embodying the very nature of the God who sees and actively seeks to save those who are lost ([Luke 19:10](/luke/19-10 "Jesus came to seek and save the lost")). In Christ, the promise of the God who sees is not merely an encounter at a desert well, but a constant, indwelling presence and an inexhaustible provision for all who place their faith in Him. He is the ultimate fulfillment of the "Living One who sees," not only our outward circumstances but the depths of our hearts, offering redemption and reconciliation to all who feel unseen or abandoned by the world ([Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "All things are naked and open before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 25:11

¶ And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac dwelt by the well Lahairoi.

Numbers 13:26

¶ And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land.

Genesis 24:62

¶ And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi; for he dwelt in the south country.

Genesis 21:31

Wherefore he called that place Beersheba; because there they sware both of them.

Genesis 14:7

And they returned, and came to Enmishpat, which [is] Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezontamar.