BEER-SHEBA
The well of the oath, Genesis 21:31; Genesis 1:26, Genesis 1:26, a city twenty-eight miles southwest of Hebron, at the southern extremity of the Holy Land. Dan lay at the northern extremity; so that the phrase, "from Dan to Beersheba," means, the whole length of the land, Judges 20:1. At Beersheba, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob often dwelt, Genesis 21:31; Genesis 1:22; Genesis 1:26; Genesis 1:28; Genesis 1:46. The town that afterwards rose here was first assigned to Judah, and then to Simeon, Joshua 15:28; Joshua 1:19. Here Samuel established his sons as judges, 1 Samuel 8:2. Elijah rested here on his way to Horeb, 1 Kings 19:3. It was a seat of idolatry in the time of Uzziah, Amos 5:5; Amos 1:8. After the captivity, it was repeopled by the Jews, Nehemiah 11:27, Nehemiah 1:11, and continued a large village many centuries after the coming of Christ. Dr. Robinson found its site at Bir-es-Seba, on the border of the great desert south of Canaan-the ruins of a small straggling city, and two deep stone wells of excellent water, surrounded by stone troughs, and bearing the marks of great antiquity.