Genesis 21:31 Meaning and Explanation
“Wherefore he called that place Beersheba; because there they sware both of them.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The well location is named Beersheba—the Well of the Oath.
The Context of Genesis 21:31
The well is named Beersheba to commemorate the covenant.
What Does Genesis 21:31 Mean?
The name Beersheba ('Beer' = well, 'Sheba' = oath/seven) commemorates both the well and the sevenfold covenant oath just sworn. The naming makes the location a permanent memorial of the agreement between Abraham and Abimelech, encoding the covenant into geography.
By naming the place, Abraham ensures that future generations will remember the covenant and its terms. The name itself—uniting the well and the oath—shows how the seven lambs, the well, and the oath are all woven together in this covenant.
Genesis 21:31 in the Original Language
sheba' (שְׁבַע), 'oath/seven' — can mean both seven (the number of lambs) and oath (the swearing); the name puns on both meanings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 21:31
What does Genesis 21:31 mean?
The well location is named Beersheba—the Well of the Oath.
What is the context of Genesis 21:31?
The well is named Beersheba to commemorate the covenant.