Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is the city called Be'er Sheva?
A: The city is called Be'er Sheva (meaning 'Well of the Oath') because Avraham and Avimelech made a covenant there (Genesis 21:31), and later Yitzchak reaffirmed this oath with Avimelech (Genesis 26:33). The name commemorates the oath (shevuah) sworn by the two parties.
Q: What is the significance of the number seven (sheva) in Be'er Sheva?
A: The number seven (sheva) represents completion and holiness in Judaism. In this context, it refers to the seven ewe lambs that Avraham set aside as testimony of his oath with Avimelech (Genesis 21:28-30). The name Be'er Sheva thus symbolizes the binding nature of their agreement.
Q: Is Be'er Sheva still an important city today according to Jewish tradition?
A: Yes, Be'er Sheva remains significant in Jewish tradition as one of the cities given to the tribe of Shimon (Joshua 19:2) and later became part of Yehuda's territory. It's also where Yaakov had his vision before going to Charan (Genesis 28:10). Today it's one of Israel's major cities, fulfilling the verse's words 'to this day.'
Q: What lesson can we learn from the naming of Be'er Sheva?
A: The naming teaches us the importance of keeping agreements and resolving conflicts peacefully, as our ancestors did. Rashi explains that the well became a symbol of reconciliation between Avraham/Avimelech and later Yitzchak/Avimelech, showing how disputes should be settled with oaths and mutual respect.
Q: Why does the Torah mention that the name lasts 'to this day'?
A: The phrase 'to this day' emphasizes that this wasn't just a temporary name, but an eternal designation with lasting significance. Ramban explains that such phrases in Torah show how certain events established permanent realities in Eretz Yisrael, connecting our ancestors' experiences to our present-day connection with the land.
Explanation of the Verse
The verse states: "וַיִּקְרָא אֹתָהּ שִׁבְעָה עַל־כֵּן שֵׁם־הָעִיר בְּאֵר שֶׁבַע עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה" ("And he called it Shiv῾a: therefore the name of the city is Be᾽er-sheva to this day"). This refers to the naming of the well and the city of Be'er Sheva by Avraham Avinu (Abraham our forefather) as recorded in Bereishit (Genesis) 21:31.
Meaning of "Shiv῾a" and "Be'er Sheva"
Rashi explains that the name "Shiv῾a" (שִׁבְעָה) is derived from the oath (שְׁבוּעָה) made between Avraham and Avimelech, king of Gerar. The well was named in commemoration of this covenant, as the word שִׁבְעָה is linguistically connected to שְׁבוּעָה (oath). The city's name, Be'er Sheva, thus means "Well of the Oath" or "Well of Seven," referencing both the oath and the seven ewe lambs Avraham gave as testimony (see Bereishit 21:28-30).
Significance of the Oath
According to the Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 54:4), the oath between Avraham and Avimelech was significant because it established peaceful relations between them. Avraham's naming of the well reinforced the sanctity of agreements, a principle later emphasized in Jewish law (Rambam, Hilchot Gezeilah ve'Avedah 11:7).
Historical Continuity
The phrase "עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה" ("to this day") indicates that the name Be'er Sheva endured through generations. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 21b) notes that place names in the Torah often carry lasting significance, reflecting historical events or Divine providence in Jewish tradition.
Spiritual Symbolism