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Beersheba

Beersheba City

CityOld Testament
31.2589°N, 34.7978°E View on Map

About Beersheba

Beersheba, meaning "Well of the Oath," was the southernmost major city of Israel. Abraham and Isaac both dug wells and made covenants here. It marked the traditional southern boundary of Israel in the phrase "from Dan to Beersheba." Hagar wandered in its wilderness, and Elijah fled here.

AbrahamLinked to this placeAbrahamMade a covenant with Abimelech and lived at Beersheba

History of Beersheba

  1. Patriarchal~2050 BC

    Abraham and Abimelech make a covenant at Beersheba; Abraham plants a tamarisk tree

    GEN 21:22-34

  2. Patriarchal~2000 BC

    Isaac digs wells and makes a covenant with Abimelech at Beersheba

    GEN 26:23-33

  3. Patriarchal~1900 BC

    Jacob offers sacrifices at Beersheba before going to Egypt

    GEN 46:1-5

  4. Judges~1100 BC

    Samuel's corrupt sons serve as judges at Beersheba

    1SA 8:1-3

  5. United Kingdom~860 BC

    Elijah flees to Beersheba before going to Mount Horeb

    1KI 19:3

Notable Characters in Beersheba

Abraham
Abraham

Made a covenant with Abimelech and lived at Beersheba

Isaac
Isaac

Dug wells and built an altar at Beersheba

Jacob
Jacob

Offered sacrifices at Beersheba on his way to Egypt

Elijah
Elijah

Stopped at Beersheba while fleeing from Jezebel

Locations Related to Beersheba

Hebron
Hebron

Abraham moved between Beersheba and Hebron

View on Map
Mount Sinai
Mount Sinai

Elijah traveled from Beersheba to Mount Sinai

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Biblical Significance of Beersheba

Beersheba, meaning 'Well of the Oath' or 'Well of Seven,' marked the southern boundary of Israel (hence 'from Dan to Beersheba'). It was a patriarchal stronghold where Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all worshiped God. The town's wells were crucial in the arid Negev desert. Here Abraham called on the name of the Lord and planted a tamarisk tree, establishing a place of worship that his descendants would continue to honor.

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