Was It Abraham or Isaac Who Named Beersheba?

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The Naming of Beersheba in Genesis

The location known as Beersheba holds significant importance in the Genesis account, being associated with both Abraham and Isaac. The Bible records two separate instances where this name is given to the location, once in connection with Abraham and later with Isaac. At first glance, this may seem like a contradiction, but a closer examination of the text and cultural context clarifies the matter.

In Genesis 21:31, after making a covenant with Abimelech, Abraham “called that place Beersheba, because there the two of them swore an oath.” The Hebrew name “Beersheba” (בְּאֵר שֶׁבַע) is commonly understood to mean “Well of the Oath” or “Well of Seven,” since the word sheba can mean either “oath” or “seven.” This name was given as a commemoration of the treaty between Abraham and Abimelech, which was sealed with an oath and involved seven ewe lambs as a witness (Genesis 21:27-31).

However, Genesis 26:33 states that after Isaac had a dispute with Abimelech’s men over water rights, he “called it Shibah. Therefore the name of the city is Beersheba to this day.” This verse appears to suggest that Isaac was the one who named the place Beersheba. The question arises: Did Abraham or Isaac name the city?

The Context of Isaac’s Naming

The broader context of Genesis 26 provides a reasonable explanation for why Isaac is also credited with naming Beersheba. In Genesis 26:18, it is stated, “And Isaac dug again the wells of water that had been dug in the days of his father Abraham, which the Philistines had stopped up after the death of Abraham, and he gave them the names that his father had given them.” This verse establishes that Isaac was engaged in restoring what had already been named by his father.

The Philistines had deliberately filled the wells dug by Abraham, forcing Isaac to reclaim and redig them. The practice of reopening a well and reaffirming its name was common in the ancient world. Since Abraham had already given the location its name, Isaac was not creating a new designation but was instead reaffirming and reinforcing its established identity.

Furthermore, Genesis 26:32-33 states that Isaac’s servants found water and named the well “Shibah.” This name is a variant of the Hebrew sheba, linking back to the earlier naming by Abraham. The passage clarifies that because of this, “the name of the city is Beersheba to this day.” Thus, Isaac’s naming of the well does not replace or contradict Abraham’s earlier naming but serves as a continuation and reaffirmation of the same name.

Understanding Ancient Naming Conventions

Ancient Near Eastern naming conventions help explain why two different people might be credited with naming the same location. It was not uncommon for a place to be named more than once, either to mark an important event, to reaffirm its significance, or to reflect a renewed claim over the territory.

For example, Jerusalem was originally called Salem (Genesis 14:18), later known as Jebus (Judges 19:10-11), and finally established as Jerusalem under David (2 Samuel 5:6-9). Similarly, Bethel was named by both Abraham (Genesis 12:8) and Jacob (Genesis 28:19) at different times, reflecting different moments of divine significance.

In Isaac’s case, the renaming of the well at Beersheba reinforced the significance of the place. It is possible that, after a period of disuse or Philistine opposition, the name had fallen out of common use, and Isaac’s action reestablished it. This would not have been considered contradictory in ancient times but rather a reaffirmation of a place’s importance.

The Role of Divine Providence in Beersheba

The well at Beersheba played a crucial role in Jehovah’s providence over the patriarchs. When Abraham named it, it marked his peaceful treaty with Abimelech and his establishment in the land. Later, when Isaac confirmed the name, it demonstrated Jehovah’s ongoing faithfulness in providing for the patriarch’s needs despite opposition from the Philistines.

Beersheba became a place of divine encounter and covenantal significance. After Isaac named it, Jehovah appeared to him, reaffirming the Abrahamic covenant and assuring him of divine blessings (Genesis 26:24). The location later became associated with Jacob’s departure to Egypt, as he stopped there to offer sacrifices to Jehovah before descending into Egypt (Genesis 46:1-4).

Conclusion

Both Abraham and Isaac played a role in naming Beersheba, but their actions should not be seen as contradictory. Abraham was the first to name the place in connection with his covenant with Abimelech. Later, after Philistine interference, Isaac rededicated the well, restoring its function and reaffirming its name. This was a common practice in the ancient world and served to reestablish territorial and spiritual significance.

Rather than being a contradiction, the repeated mention of the naming of Beersheba highlights the faithfulness of Jehovah in preserving His covenant with the patriarchs. Isaac was not renaming the city but was confirming what his father had previously established. This demonstrates the continuity of Jehovah’s promises and the faithfulness of His servants in maintaining their God-given heritage.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).