Genesis 21:31

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore he called {H7121} that place {H4725} Beersheba {H884}; because there they sware {H7650} both of them {H8147}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This is why that place was called Be'er-Sheva [well of seven, well of an oath] - because they both swore an oath there.

Berean Standard Bible

So that place was called Beersheba, because it was there that the two of them swore an oath.

American Standard Version

Wherefore he called that place Beer-sheba; because there they sware both of them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 21:31 formally names the significant location of Beersheba, commemorating the solemn covenant established between Abraham and Abimelech, king of Gerar. This act solidified Abraham's claim to a vital water source and secured a peaceful resolution to their dispute, marking the place as a perpetual memorial to their sworn agreement and God's providential care.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes a significant episode in Abraham's narrative, immediately following the birth of Isaac and the subsequent expulsion of Hagar and Ishmael. The dispute over the well at Beersheba, detailed in [Genesis 21:25](/genesis/21-25 "Abraham's Complaint to Abimelech"), highlights Abraham's precarious position as a sojourner in the land promised to him. Abimelech, recognizing God's blessing on Abraham ([Genesis 21:22](/genesis/21-22 "Abimelech's Recognition of Abraham's Blessing")), initiates a covenant to ensure peace and secure their respective claims. The formal naming of the place in [Genesis 21:31](/genesis/21-31 "The Naming of Beersheba") serves as the climax and permanent record of this crucial agreement, ensuring Abraham's access to vital resources and establishing a foundation for his future dwelling in the land, leading directly into the subsequent narrative of Abraham's extended stay in Gerar and the ultimate test of his faith in [Genesis 22](/genesis/22 "The Binding of Isaac").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, water sources were indispensable for survival, particularly for nomadic or semi-nomadic peoples like Abraham and his household. Control over wells often led to conflict, making formal agreements like the one at Beersheba vital for maintaining peace and securing land rights. Covenants were solemn, legally binding agreements, often sealed with oaths, sacrifices, or the exchange of gifts, and frequently involved divine invocation as a witness. The act of naming a place after a significant event or person was a common practice, serving as a permanent historical marker and a mnemonic device for future generations. The "seven ewe lambs" ([Genesis 21:28](/genesis/21-28 "Abraham's Offering of Seven Ewe Lambs")) functioned as a tangible witness to the oath, reinforcing the agreement's validity and the number seven often carried symbolic weight, signifying completeness or a sworn agreement.
* **Key Themes:** [Genesis 21:31](/genesis/21-31 "The Naming of Beersheba") contributes to several overarching themes in Genesis. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **God's faithfulness in providing for Abraham**, even amidst disputes and challenges, securing his access to water and land. Secondly, it highlights the **importance and sanctity of covenants and oaths** in biblical thought, demonstrating how human agreements, when made with integrity, can reflect divine order and establish peace. Thirdly, the naming of Beersheba emphasizes the theme of **commemoration and memory**, as places are named to perpetually recall significant events and God's dealings with His people. Finally, it subtly reinforces the theme of **Abraham's gradual possession of the Promised Land**, as he secures specific claims through negotiation and divine favor, moving him closer to the fulfillment of God's grand promise from [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "God's Call to Abraham").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **called (Hebrew, _qârâʼ'_):** From H7121, a primitive root meaning "to call out to," "address by name," or "to name." In this context, it signifies the act of formally bestowing a name upon a place, thereby establishing its identity and commemorating the event that transpired there. This act of naming is not merely descriptive but performative, making the place a perpetual memorial.
* **place (Hebrew, _mâqôwm'_):** From H4725, properly "a standing," referring to a specific "spot" or "locality." This word emphasizes the tangible, geographical nature of Beersheba, grounding the abstract concept of an oath in a concrete, identifiable location that would become a significant landmark throughout biblical history.
* **sware (Hebrew, _shâbaʻ'_):** From H7650, a primitive root meaning "to seven oneself," implying to swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times). This term highlights the solemn and binding nature of the covenant between Abraham and Abimelech, indicating that their agreement was sealed with a formal oath, likely invoking divine witness, making it an unbreakable commitment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore he called that place Beersheba":** This clause establishes the purpose of the naming – to memorialize a significant event. "He" refers to Abraham, who takes the initiative in formally naming the location. The name "Beersheba" (Hebrew: בְּאֵר שָׁבַע, _Be'er Shava_) itself is a compound, traditionally understood to mean either "Well of the Oath" (from *be'er* 'well' and *shava* 'to swear') or "Well of Seven" (from *be'er* 'well' and *sheva* 'seven'). Both interpretations are highly fitting: the "oath" refers to the solemn covenant, while "seven" alludes to the seven ewe lambs Abraham presented as a witness to the agreement ([Genesis 21:28](/genesis/21-28 "Abraham's Offering of Seven Ewe Lambs")).
* **"because there they sware both of them":** This phrase provides the direct justification for the naming. The act of "swearing" (making an oath) signifies a binding covenant. "They" refers to Abraham and Abimelech, emphasizing the bilateral nature of the agreement. This oath at the well secured Abraham's rights to the water source and established a peaceful coexistence between his people and Abimelech's, transforming a point of contention into a place of peace and agreement.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Eponymous Naming** is central, where the name of a place (Beersheba) is derived directly from an event (the swearing of an oath and the seven ewe lambs) that occurred there. This device serves to embed history and meaning into the very geography, making the land itself a testament to past events. The **Covenant Formula** is evident in the description of the oath-taking, which follows established patterns of ancient Near Eastern treaty-making, underscoring the legal and theological weight of the agreement. Furthermore, there is subtle **Symbolism** in the number seven and the act of swearing. The number seven often represents completeness, perfection, or a divine seal, reinforcing the binding and enduring nature of the covenant. The act of swearing an oath, particularly in the presence of a well (a life-sustaining resource), symbolizes the profound commitment and the desire for a lasting, life-giving peace.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The naming of Beersheba stands as a powerful testament to the sanctity of covenants and the importance of integrity in human dealings, reflecting God's own faithfulness to His promises. This event underscores that even in a fallen world, peace and justice can be established through solemn agreements, which, when honored, bring order and security. While an earthly agreement, it subtly affirms God's overarching promise to Abraham regarding the land and his descendants, demonstrating how God works through human interactions and agreements to advance His redemptive plan. The act of naming also highlights the biblical emphasis on remembering foundational events, ensuring that the legacy of faith and God's providential care is passed down through generations.

* [Genesis 26:33](/genesis/26-33 "Isaac Names Beersheba Again")
* [Joshua 15:28](/joshua/15-28 "Beersheba in Judah's Inheritance")
* [Amos 5:5](/amos/5-5 "Do Not Seek Beersheba")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 21:31 offers profound lessons on the enduring value of integrity, truthfulness, and the power of solemn commitments. Abraham's meticulousness in establishing a clear, witnessed agreement with Abimelech underscores the vital importance of keeping one's word and setting clear, just boundaries in all relationships and transactions. For believers today, this passage encourages us to be people of unwavering integrity, understanding that our spoken and written commitments carry significant weight and reflect the very character of God, who is faithful to His covenants. Just as Beersheba became a lasting memorial to a foundational agreement, our honest dealings can build trust, establish lasting peace in our communities, and serve as a tangible witness to the trustworthiness of God. This narrative calls us to consider how our words and actions contribute to a legacy of faithfulness and peace, recognizing that even seemingly small agreements can have lasting significance in God's grand design.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Abraham's commitment to a clear, witnessed agreement challenge our own approach to commitments and promises in daily life?**
* **In what ways can we, as believers, embody the integrity and trustworthiness demonstrated in this passage within our personal and professional relationships?**
* **How does the concept of naming places to remember significant events encourage us to reflect on and memorialize God's faithfulness in our own lives?**

### FAQ
**Why is the naming of a place like Beersheba significant in the Bible?**

Answer: The naming of places in the Bible, particularly in the patriarchal narratives, often serves as a perpetual memorial to significant events, covenants, or divine encounters. It acts as a mnemonic device, ensuring that future generations remember the foundational acts of God and humanity at that location. In the case of [Beersheba](/genesis/21-31 "The Naming of Beersheba"), the name itself encapsulates the dual significance of the solemn oath and the sevenfold witness, embedding the memory of Abraham's covenant with Abimelech into the very geography of the land and serving as a historical marker for future generations.

**What is the symbolic significance of the "seven ewe lambs" in the covenant at Beersheba?**

Answer: The "seven ewe lambs" ([Genesis 21:28](/genesis/21-28 "Abraham's Seven Ewe Lambs")) are crucial to the etymology of Beersheba, connecting to the "Well of Seven" interpretation. Beyond the literal count, the number seven frequently symbolizes completeness, perfection, or a sworn oath (from the Hebrew root *shava*, related to both "oath" and "seven") in biblical contexts. Thus, the seven lambs served not just as a witness but as a symbolic representation of the covenant's binding, complete, and permanent nature, affirming Abraham's rightful claim to the well and emphasizing the solemnity and finality of the agreement.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The covenant established at [Beersheba](/genesis/21-31 "The Naming of Beersheba"), securing Abraham's right to a well and establishing peace through a solemn oath, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Just as Abraham secured a physical place and vital resource through a sworn agreement, Christ, through His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, established the New Covenant, securing for all believers an eternal inheritance and access to the "living water" ([John 4:10](/john/4-10 "Jesus and the Living Water")) of the Holy Spirit. He is the ultimate "well of the oath," the one who perfectly fulfilled all covenant requirements, becoming the mediator of a better covenant founded on better promises ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Christ, Mediator of a Better Covenant")). Through His sacrifice, He brought true and lasting peace between God and humanity ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Christ Our Peace")), reconciling us to God and securing our eternal dwelling place in His kingdom. The unbreakable promises of God, sealed by the blood of Christ, are the ultimate witness to this new and everlasting covenant, providing a secure and permanent spiritual reality far surpassing any earthly agreement.

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 26:33

And he called it Shebah: therefore the name of the city [is] Beersheba unto this day.

Genesis 21:14

¶ And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave [it] unto Hagar, putting [it] on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.

2 Samuel 17:11

Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that [is] by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person.

1 Kings 4:25

And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.

Joshua 15:28

And Hazarshual, and Beersheba, and Bizjothjah,

Genesis 26:23

And he went up from thence to Beersheba.

Judges 20:1

¶ Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beersheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the LORD in Mizpeh.