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Bible Dictionaries
Beersheba
Morrish Bible Dictionary
or This name, signifying well of the oath, was given to the place where Abraham and Abimelech made a covenant not to molest each other, and confirmed it by an oath. It afterwards became the dwelling place of Abraham and of Isaac, who also digged a well there, and a city is spoken of as bearing the same name. Genesis 21:14,31-33; Genesis 22:19; Genesis 26:23,33; Genesis 28:10 . It became a part of Simeon's lot, Joshua 19:1,2; and after the settlement of the land it is constantly referred to as the most southern part of the land possessed, as Dan is pointed to as the most northern; thus 'from Dan to Beer-sheba' was the common expression for the whole territory even in the days of Solomon. 1 Kings 4:25 .
The prophet Amos warns the people not to trust in any places of renown or of former blessing, as Bethel, Gilgal, nor Beersheba; the glory of all had faded: they must seek Jehovah, and they should live. Amos 5:5,6; Amos 8:14 . On the return of the exiles some of them dwelt at Beer-sheba, and from thence northward to the valley of Hinnom. Nehemiah 11:27,30 . Beer-sheba is identified with Bir es Seba, 31 15' N, 34 48' E . There are still two principal wells in the district giving excellent water, besides five smaller ones.
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Morrish, George. Entry for 'Beersheba'. Morrish Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/mbd/b/beersheba.html. 1897.
