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BEERSHEBA.—A halting-place of Abraham (Gen_21:31), where Hagar was sent away (Gen_21:14), and where he made a covenant with Abimelech, from which the place is alleged to take its name (‘well of the covenant,’ according to one interpretation). Isaac after his disputes with the Philistines settled here (Gen_26:23), and discovered the well Shibah, another etymological speculation (Gen_26:33). Hence Jacob was sent away (Gen_28:10), and returned and sacrificed on his way to Egypt (Gen_46:1). It was assigned to the tribe of Judah (Jos_15:28), but set apart for the Simeonites (Jos_19:2). Here Samuel’s sons were judges (1Sa_8:2), and hither Elijah fled before Jezebel (1Ki_19:3). Zibiah, the mother of Joash, belonged to Beersheba (2Ki_12:1). It was an important holy place: here Abraham planted a sacred tree (Gen_21:33), and theophanies were vouchsafed to Hagar (Gen_21:17), to Isaac (Gen_26:24), to Jacob (Gen_46:2), and to Elijah (1Ki_19:5). Amos couples it with the shrines of Bethel and Gilgal (Amo_5:6), and oaths by its numen are denounced (Amo_8:14). It is recognized as the southern boundary of Palestine in the frequent phrase ‘from Dan unto Beersheba’ (Jdg_20:1 etc.). Seven ancient wells exist here, and it has been suggested that these gave its name to the locality; the suffixed numeral being perhaps due to the influence of the syntax of some pre-Semitic language, as in Kiriath-arba (‘Tetrapolis’). The modern name is Bir es-Seba’, where are extensive remains of a Byzantine city; the ancient city is probably at Tell es-Seba’, about 2 miles to the east. Till recently the site was deserted by all but Bedouin; now a modern town has sprung up, built from the ruins of the ancient structures, and has been made the seat of a sub-governor.
R. A. S. Macalister.