Genesis 21:31

21:31 That is why he named that place Beer Sheba, because the two of them swore an oath there.

Genesis 24:62

24:62 Now Isaac came from Beer Lahai Roi, for he was living in the Negev.

Genesis 25:11

25:11 After Abraham’s death, God blessed his son Isaac. Isaac lived near Beer Lahai Roi. 10 


tn Heb “that is why he called that place.” Some translations render this as an impersonal passive, “that is why that place was called.”

sn The name Beer Sheba (בְּאֵר שָׁבַע, bÿer shava’) means “well of the oath” or “well of the seven.” Both the verb “to swear” and the number “seven” have been used throughout the account. Now they are drawn in as part of the explanation of the significance of the name.

sn The verb forms a wordplay with the name Beer Sheba.

tn The disjunctive clause switches the audience’s attention to Isaac and signals a new episode in the story.

tn Heb “from the way of.”

sn The Hebrew name Beer Lahai Roi (בְּאֵר לַחַי רֹאִי, bÿer lakhay roi) means “The well of the Living One who sees me.” See Gen 16:14.

tn This disjunctive clause is explanatory.

tn Or “the South [country].”

sn God blessed Isaac. The Hebrew verb “bless” in this passage must include all the gifts that God granted to Isaac. But fertility was not one of them, at least not for twenty years, because Rebekah was barren as well (see v. 21).

10 sn Beer Lahai Roi. See the note on this place name in Gen 24:62.