Well

Beersheba

Beersheba is the largest city in the Negev desert of southern Israel. Often referred to as the "Capital of the Negev", it is the center of the fourth-most populous metropolitan area in Israel, the eighth-most populous Israeli city with a population of 209,687, and the second-largest city.

* "The wilderness of Beer-sheba.—As yet this region had no name (see Genesis 21:31). It lay about twenty Roman miles or more below Hebron, and was the most southerly part of Palestine, while beyond it lay the vast desert of Et-Tih, of which the wilderness of Beer-sheba formed a part." Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers.

The well in the wilderness

In Genesis 21:14 the area was not yet the wilderness of Beersheba but it would be after the well was known. The Hebrew name Beersheba is a combination of the words beʾer, which may mean "well", and the word shevaʿ or sheba.

Sheba means

Sheba seems to have many meanings throughout the Hebrew text:

• ש Shin Eternal Flame of Spiritual Revelation, bound to the coal of righteousness, the Divine Essence. [sun... teeth... consume destroy] (Numeric value: 300)
• ב Beit Purpose: God's Dwelling Place Below - a house or God's house here. [household, in, into] (Numeric value: 2)
• ע Ayin also U. Divine Providence "eye" or "fountain" of five states of kindness or severity. AlefYodNun or nothingness as opposed to AlefShin something [eye, watch] (Numeric value: 70)

1. 07646 שָׂבַע‎ saba‘ or שׂבע‎ sabea‘ as primitive root and verb "to be satisfied".
2. 07647 שָׂבָע‎ saba‘ a noun "plenty"
3. 07648 שׂבַע‎ soba‘ a noun "satiety, abundance, fulness"
4. 07649 שָׂבֵעַ‎ sabea‘ an adj "sated, satisfied
5. 07650 שָׁבַע‎ shaba’ also said to be a primitive root and a verb meaning "to swear, adjure".
6. 07651 שֶׁבַע‎ sheba‘ (masc.) or שׁבעה‎ shib‘ah (fem.) from 07650 "seven".
7. 07652 שֶׁבַע‎ sheba‘ the same as 07651 but a proper noun "Sheba".
8. 07653 שִׂבְעָה‎ sib‘ah "satisfaction, satiety".
9. 07654 שָׂבְעָה‎ sob‘ah a noun "satisfaction, satiety, one’s fill".
10. 07655 שִׁבְעָה‎ shib‘ah (Aramaic) the noun "seven"
11. 07656 שִׁבְעָה‎ Shib‘ah = "an oath" and the well named by Isaac.

In the Old Testament Beersheba is mentioned as a place but is said to represent an idea of a "well of the sevenfold oath" or a place where one does not deal falsely or take something dishonestly that is not rightfully theirs. This idea is in part stemming from Abimelech (Genesis 21:21-34). The concept that one word may have many different meanings is common in the Hebrew language.

A place of Sacrifice

In Genesis 46:1 Jacob "offered (וַיִּזְבַּ֣ח wayyizbaḥ, VavYodZaynBeitMem) sacrifices (זְבָחִ֔ים zə-ḇā-ḥîm, ZaynBeitHeyYodMem)" at what is called Beersheba the "well of satisfaction".

Jacob was called Israel for a reason. He understood sacrifice. Only the freewill sacrifice which comes from fervent charity bestows "satisfaction".

The forced offering compelled by rulers ho exercise authority do not only degenerate the masses, take their liberty, make them merchandise, and curse their children but are a snare and a trap.

Anticipation

Hagar had wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba by way of anticipation therefore the word phrase or statement "Beersheba is said to include or be 'by way of anticipation'" and refers to Genesis 21:14, where it is mentioned that Abraham and Hagar traveled to the wilderness of Beersheba, which is later named Beersheba in Genesis 21:31. That satisfaction comes from a sacrifice by the way of the Yod of righteousness, the divine spark and revelation of God. Jacob had to accept the will of the God of his fathers over his own will to become Israel.

Source of satisfaction

A well is a source of water. In John 4:13 "Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. 15 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.

Offering of Israel

When Jacob as Israel chose to offer (וַיִּזְבַּ֣ח wayyizbaḥ, VavYodZaynBeitMem) his sacrifices (זְבָחִ֔ים zə-ḇā-ḥîm, ZaynBeitHeyYodMem)" at Beersheba he was again wrestling with the Holy Spirit at the "well of satisfaction".

Ultimately Beersheba is the sacrifice of Jacob to become Israel. It is a sacrifice of pride and self from the heart which is the circumcision of the heart spoken of by Moses and seen in the way of Jesus who was the fulfilment of the righteousness of God by doing the will of God rather than his own. We may drink of that well if we will receive His Holy Spirit which the Christ which is the anointing of that Spirit so that we may be perfected in Him.

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Appearances in Genesis

Genesis 21:14 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave [it] unto Hagar, putting [it] on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.

• Genesis 21:31 Wherefore he called that place Beersheba; because there they sware both of them. 32 Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba: then Abimelech rose up, and Phichol the chief captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the Philistines. 33 And [Abraham] planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.

• Beersheba means well of seven or well of the oath. (Genesis 21:21-34) As the son of Abraham Israel cannot "not deal falsely with ... descendants" of Abimelech. Genesis 21:23 Now, therefore, swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or descendants. Show to me and to the country in which you reside the same kindness that I have shown to you.”

Genesis 22:19 So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba.

Genesis 26:23 And he went up from thence to Beersheba.

Genesis 26:33 And he called it Shebah: therefore the name of the city [is] Beersheba unto this day.

Genesis 28:10 And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran.

Genesis 46:1 And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac.

Genesis 46:5 And Jacob rose up from Beersheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him.

Joshua 15:28 And Hazarshual, and Beersheba, and Bizjothjah,

Joshua 19:2 And they had in their inheritance Beersheba, or Sheba, and Moladah,

Judges 20:1 Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beersheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the LORD in Mizpeh.

1 Samuel 3:20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel [was] established [to be] a prophet of the LORD.

1 Samuel 8:2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: [they were] judges in Beersheba.

2 Samuel 3:10 To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.

2 Samuel 17:11 Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that [is] by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person.

2 Samuel 24:2 For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which [was] with him, Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beersheba, and number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people.

2 Samuel 24:7 And came to the strong hold of Tyre, and to all the cities of the Hivites, and of the Canaanites: and they went out to the south of Judah, [even] to Beersheba.

2 Samuel 24:15 So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men.

1 Kings 4:25 And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.

1 Kings 19:3 And when he saw [that], he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which [belongeth] to Judah, and left his servant there.

2 Kings 12:1 In the seventh year of Jehu Jehoash began to reign; and forty years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name [was] Zibiah of Beersheba.

2 Kings 23:8 And he brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beersheba, and brake down the high places of the gates that [were] in the entering in of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which [were] on a man’s left hand at the gate of the city.

1 Chronicles 4:28 And they dwelt at Beersheba, and Moladah, and Hazarshual,

1 Chronicles 21:2 And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know [it].

2 Chronicles 19:4 And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers.

2 Chronicles 24:1 Joash [was] seven years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name also [was] Zibiah of Beersheba.

2 Chronicles 30:5 So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done [it] of a long [time in such sort] as it was written.

Nehemiah 11:27 And at Hazarshual, and at Beersheba, and [in] the villages thereof,

Nehemiah 11:30 Zanoah, Adullam, and [in] their villages, at Lachish, and the fields thereof, at Azekah, and [in] the villages thereof. And they dwelt from Beersheba unto the valley of Hinnom.

Amos 5: 5 "But seek not Bethel, nor enter into Gilgal, and pass not to Beersheba: for Gilgal shall surely go into captivity, and Bethel shall come to nought.

Amos 8:14 "They that swear by the sin of Samaria, and say, Thy god, O Dan, liveth; and, The manner of Beersheba liveth; even they shall fall, and never rise up again."

• In Hebrew, "the sin of Samaria" (שְׁוֹמְרִים, Shomerim) refers to the idolatry which is often a rebellion against God through covetous practices which characterized the northern kingdom of Israel, centered in the city of Samaria, and is often associated with institutions like the golden calf which does away with or encroaches upon the Just weights and and measures including the worship initiated by King Jeroboam.

In Genesis

Genesis 21:14 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave [it] unto Hagar, putting [it] on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba (בְּמִדְבַּ֖ר bəmiḏbar in the wilderness בְּאֵ֥ר bə’êr שָֽׁבַע׃ šāḇa‘..

Genesis 21:31 Wherefore he called that place Beersheba; because there they sware both of them.

Genesis 21:32 Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba: then Abimelech rose up, and Phichol the chief captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the Philistines.

Genesis 21:33 And [Abraham] planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.

Genesis 22:19 So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba.

Genesis 26:23 And he went up from thence to Beersheba.

Genesis 26:33 And he called it Shebah: therefore the name of the city [is] Beersheba unto this day.

Genesis 28:10 And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran.

Genesis 46:1 And Israel took his journey with all that he had, and came to Beersheba, and offered sacrifices unto the God of his father Isaac.

Genesis 46:5 And Jacob rose up from Beersheba: and the sons of Israel carried Jacob their father, and their little ones, and their wives, in the wagons which Pharaoh had sent to carry him.

A place called Beerlahairoi

Wells, like Beerlahairoi and Beersheba are not just holes where you can get water to drink but places that represent a source like Christ when he spoke to the women of the well.

"Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: 14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. 15 The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw." John 4:13-15

These wells were sources as even Christ and His Holy Spirit was a source. The same is true of the altars of Clay and stone are not just piles of dead stone on which to burn up sheep. They were institution of social welfare that created the social bonds that keep a nation strong and free.

We see that the well is located between two places:

• Genesis 16:14 "Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi <0883>; behold, [it is] between Kadesh and Bered."
• Genesis 24:62 And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahairoi <0883>; for he dwelt in the south country..
• Genesis 25:11 And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God blessed his son Isaac; and Isaac dwelt by the well Lahairoi <0883>.

Kadesh (קָדֵ֖שׁ) which can mean Holy as in separate or even consecrated.

Based on this analysis the well of Beerlahairoi represents a divine source of guidance and inspiration that we may tap into to be comforter instead of the tree of knowledge.

The drinking from this well of Beerlahairoi begins with a Process of Clarification through revelation through a personal relationship of the God of creation and the repentant man through the infinite point of the divine spark paradoxically touching the finite man in faith producing action. If man will humble himself to seek with an authentic aspiration to see and follow the way of righteousness with his heart and mind that inspiration may lead that fallen spark toward a separation from the darkness into the light of His holiness.

Document or verse to translate
V14 Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered..
roi	lahai	beer	labbeer	qara
Roi	lahai	from	the well	was called
0883	#	#	0875	07121
רֹאִ֑י	לַחַ֖י	בְּאֵ֥ר	לַבְּאֵ֔ר	קָרָ֣א
ReishAlefYod	LamedHeyYod	BeitAlefReish	LamedBeitAlefReish	KufReishAlef
Profess	Aspire	purpose	REPEATS	Redemption
ר Reish Process of Clarification The "head" or "beginning". Life's revelation. [Head... Person head highest] (Numeric value: 200).
א Alef Father-Son- begin- The Paradox: God and Man - (ox bull) [strength, leader, first] (Numeric value: 1)
י Yod The Infinite Point of essential good. Divine spark hidden in the ט Tet. Spark of spirit. [closed hand... Deed, work, to make] (Numeric value: 10)
ל Lamed means Aspiration of the Heart or to learn or even direct like a shepherd. It has to do with what the Hand produces, [hand is די YodDalet] or directs with staff, whip... like the tongue may direct. (Numeric value: 30)
ק Kuf or Kof Omnipresence - Redemption of Fallen Sparks The paradoxical union Reish and a Zayin holiness or separateness omnipresence of God [Cord and needle 𐤒 ... back of head neck... the last or least] (Numeric value: 100)

The wells dug by Abraham and reestablished by Isaac as we see in Genesis 26 were fulfilling the smoking furnace and a burning lamp of Abraham's vision by establishing a division between the sacrifices of civil society vs the sacrifices of the household of God. This is also the distinction between the Corban of Christ and the Corban of the pharisees and Herod which was full of leaven.

Filling in wells

One sets the captive free while the other makes men human resources and curse children. Because of the resulting blindness when this is denied the wombs of their daughters will dry up and wither.

In Genesis 26:15 the Hebrew words include:

אַבְרָהָ֣ם אָבִ֑יו סִתְּמ֣וּם פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים וַיְמַלְא֖וּם
the Philistines(פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים) had stopped(סִתְּמ֣וּם) them(i.e. the wells(בְּאֵר) habbə’êrōṯ (הַבְּאֵרֹ֗ת)), and filled(waymal’ūm (וַיְמַלְא֖וּם)) them with earth(עָפָֽר).

What were the servants of the "Father King", knon as Abimelech who were Philistines(פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים) actually doing in Genesis 26:15.
Did the word translated stopped(סִתְּמ֣וּם) have to do with filling in a well or if the wells a metaphor what could their actions and these words mean?

This "Father King", Abimelech, like Nimrod of Babylon who provided benefits and dainties as a ruler?

Was he like Augustus and Tiberius and others who as Caesars were also the Patronus of Rome who the people prayed to for benefits?

All these benefactors who exercise authority undermined the family causing a degeneration of society because they weaken social virtues.

This is why Babylon fell, why Sodom became lawless and chaotic, this is why communism opposes the family.

The word form in the text for stopped is sittəmūm SamechTavMemVavMem(סִתְּמ֣וּם) while the base word for stop would be catham (סָתַם‎ SamechTavMem). This word form only appears in this one verse. The closes word form to is səṯumîm (סְתֻמִ֧ים SamechTavMemYodMem) found in Daniel 12:9:

"And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up (or concealed) and sealed till the time of the end."

Does the MemVavMem suggest an interruption in the flow of the fundamental truth of spiritual faith?

The wells(בְּאֵר) does not appear as BeitAlefReish but as HeyBeitAlefReishTav(habbə’êrōṯ (הַבְּאֵרֹ֗ת)) in the text.

The word translated filled would be מָלֵא‎ MemLamedAlef male’ or מלא‎ mala’ as a basic word but we see in the text VavYodMemLamedAlefVavMem (waymal’ūm (וַיְמַלְא֖וּם)).

Are the dainties and benefits of Abimelech filling the needs of societies so that people become accustomed to his benefits which were not unlike the corban of Herod and the pharisees.

And then what earth (עָפָֽר) are they using?

If a well is a metaphor for a source of spiritual insight in the management of social welfare then is it possible the Father King's servants were interfering, stopping or distracting the eyes of the people from the wells of faith(habbə’êrōṯ (הַבְּאֵרֹ֗ת)) established by the practices of Abraham and his vision of a smoking furnace and a burning lamp? Were they filling (waymal’ūm (וַיְמַלְא֖וּם)) wells in with earth(עָפָֽר)?. |- | V20 Brown-Driver-Briggs

• עֵ֫שֶׂק proper name, of a well in (explanation as contention);
• עשׂר (√ of following; apparently gather, unite, compare Arabic  kinsman,  tribe,  assembly; hence ten = collection, union).

עֵשֶׂק (Eesek) appears only once during famine in the region of Gerar. Isaac reopened the wells dug by Abraham but local shepherd viewed Isaac’s expanding presence as a threat and laid claim to those sources or well: (Genesis 26:20).

• "The single occurrence captures a flashpoint between covenant heirs and the surrounding world, setting the background for Isaac’s eventual enlargement at Rehoboth and the oath of peace at Beersheba."
• Covenant Conflict
  

The dispute over Esek serves as a microcosm of Israel’s broader experience: God’s promises are certain, yet they unfold amid human opposition (Exodus 1:8–12; Nehemiah 4:1–6). The strife at Esek did not nullify the promise first given to Abraham; rather, it highlighted divine faithfulness when circumstances seemed hostile.

• Patience and Meekness
  

Isaac does not retaliate. He relinquishes the well and moves on, modeling the wisdom later codified in Proverbs 17:14 and reinforced by the New Testament’s call to peace (Romans 12:18; James 3:17). His restraint anticipates Christ’s own posture when reviled (1 Peter 2:23).

• fruitfulness.

• Spiritual Warfare: The enemy often contests sources of “living water” (John 4:10). Guarding unity around Word and Sacrament is vital; yet, like Isaac, the Church advances by gospel proclamation rather than coercion.

• Christological Foreshadowing
  

The well motif reaches its fullness in Jesus Christ. At Esek, human hostility surrounds physical water; at Calvary, enmity culminates in violence against the One who offers “a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14). Christ turns ultimate contention into reconciliation, fulfilling Isaiah 12:3, “With joy you will draw water from the springs of salvation.” • Proverbs 15:18 – “A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger calms dispute.” • Psalm 18:48 – God “rescues me from my enemies; You lift me up above my foes.” • 2 Timothy 2:24 – “A servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone.”
Conclusion:

• עֵשֶׂק encapsulates more than a geographical label; it signifies the tension between divine blessing and human resistance. Remembering Esek urges believers to pursue peace, trust the Sovereign who enlarges their borders, and draw living water that no contention can ultimately withhold.