Genesis 26:33 Meaning and Explanation
“And he called it Shebah: therefore the name of the city is Beersheba unto this day.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Isaac names the well Shebah; the city takes its name from this well, forever commemorating his covenant and oath.
The Context of Genesis 26:33
Isaac names the well, and the city's name commemorates both covenant and blessing.
What Does Genesis 26:33 Mean?
'Shebah' means seven or oath—Isaac's name for the well encodes the covenant and oath-swearing just completed. By naming the well, Isaac memorializes the double blessing of covenant peace and water provision. The city itself becomes a standing monument to this moment.
'Beersheba'—the well of seven or the well of the oath—carries forward the memory across centuries. Every time the place is named, the story of God's faithfulness to Isaac is invoked.
Genesis 26:33 in the Original Language
Shebah — שְׁבַע (shebaʿ), seven; also echoes שְׁבוּעָה (shĕḇūʿāh), oath.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genesis 26:33
What does Genesis 26:33 mean?
Isaac names the well Shebah; the city takes its name from this well, forever commemorating his covenant and oath.
What is the context of Genesis 26:33?
Isaac names the well, and the city's name commemorates both covenant and blessing.