And he called it Shebah: therefore the name of the city [is] Beer-sheba unto this day.
33. Shibah ] This word, denoting “oath-taking” or “swearing,” is here given as the explanation of the name “Beer-sheba.” For another tradition as to the origin of the name, see Gen 21:31. The narrative there is from E; the narrative here from J. Shebah, of which shib‘ah is a rare variety, is an “oath”; sheba‘ is “seven.” Aquila and Symmachus ; Lat. abundantiam; reading sib‘ah.
unto this day ] See note on Gen 22:14.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 33. He called it Shebah] This was probably the same well which was called Beersheba in the time of Abraham, which the Philistines had filled up, and which the servants of Isaac had reopened. The same name is therefore given to it which it had before, with the addition of the emphatic letter he, by which its signification became extended, so that now it signified not merely an oath or full, but satisfaction and abundance.
The name of the city is Beer-sheba] This name was given to it a hundred years before this time; but as the well from which it had this name originally was closed up by the Philistines, probably the name of the place was abolished with the well; when therefore Isaac reopened the well, he restored the ancient name of the place.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
This name had been given before, either to this or a neighbouring place, by Abraham, Gen 21:31; but was now buried in oblivion, as his wells were; and the wells being revived, he revives and renews the name, which proved now a lasting name,
unto this day, as here follows, which is not added Gen 21:31, because then the name, though given by Abraham, was soon forgotten and neglected by others.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And he called it Sheba,…. Which, according to Jerom, signifies “fulness”, as if it had its name from the abundance of water in it; but rather it signifies an “oath”, and was so called from the oath, which he and Abimelech had just took to one another; and these circumstances meeting together, the taking of the oath, and the account of the well,
therefore the name of the city is Beersheba unto this day; that is, the well of the oath: it had been so called by Abraham an hundred years ago or more; but now upon this occasion it was renewed and confirmed, and so continued until the times of Moses, and many ages after.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(33) Therefore the name of the city is Beer-sheba unto this day.There was no city at this time at Beer-sheba, but one is mentioned at the conquest of Canaan by Joshua (Jos. 15:28). This note, as is the case generally with those which speak of a thing existing unto this day, was added by Ezra and the men of the Great Synagogue, after the return from Babylon (comp. Gen. 22:14); and its meaning is that, whereas Abrahams name had been forgotten while the place lay desolate, this remarkable coincidence of the water being again found, just when the covenant had been confirmed by the customary sevenfold sacrifice, so impressed the minds of the people that the title of Beer-sheba never again passed into oblivion.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
33. Called it Shebah , Shibhah; which means both seven and oath . Compare Gen 21:28-31. “Now the writer was aware that this place had received the same name on a former occasion . But a second well had now been dug in like circumstances in the same locality . This gives occasion for a new application of the name in the memories of the people . This is another illustration of the principle explained at Gen 25:30. Two wells still exist at this place, attesting the correctness of the record . ” Murphy.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Gen 26:33. He called it Sheba, &c. As the wells which Abraham dug had been stopped up, most probably the names of them also had been forgotten. Isaac, therefore, in similar circumstances, and from a similar event, revives that name of the well, Sheba, which his father had given it many years before. See ch. Gen 21:31. The Authors of the Universal History observe ingeniously, that it is not improbable, but the discovery of this new well might lead Isaac into an allusion to a third meaning of the word shebang, which signifies not only to swear, and seven, but likewise to satisfy, or satiate; whereby he might intimate, that he had wells enough, and would rest satisfied. Houbigant is strongly for this sense, translating sheba abundantiam, abundance, sufficiency, and in this he also follows the Vulgate. From what is contained between Gen 21:16; Gen 21:23, &c. it seems evident, that Beer-sheba did not lie in the land of the Philistines, but near it.
REFLECTIONS.They who had sent Isaac away through envy, are now come to court his friendship. We have here, 1. Isaac’s questioning the purpose of their visit. From the injuries he had received by the herdsmen of Abimelech, he had reason to be on his guard. Note; Though we must love our enemies, we must watch against their devices.
2. Their business: to invite him to reconciliation, and to a solemn league. They profess sincerity, acknowledge their conviction of God’s favour to him, and therefore would fain make him their friend. Note; When the offending party seeks reconciliation, we should be ever ready to grant it.
3. Isaac consents, entertains them generously, confirms the league by oath, and they part in peace. Note; We must not insist upon past ill usage, when there is a prospect of present peace, but gladly embrace the favourable opportunity.
4. That day a new and copious well is found; so that all he parted with, is amply made up to him. Those who for peace’ sake, or the truth’s sake, lose a little, find perhaps at the end of the year, that they are gainers by the increase which God’s blessing hath brought.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Sheba means an oath, Beer the well; hence Beersheba, the well of the oath.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Gen 26:33 And he called it Shebah: therefore the name of the city [is] Beersheba unto this day.
Ver. 33. Is Beersheba to this day. ] So it was before; but the name was almost worn out, the well being stopped up. Isaac therefore newly names it, and so preserves it for a monument of God’s mercy to his father, and to himself.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Shebah. Hebrew an oath.
therefore. Same name given by Abraham (Gen 21:31). Names were sometimes reimposed for a new reason. Compare Bethel (Gen 28:18, Gen 28:19 with Gen 35:6, Gen 35:7) and Israel (Gen 32:28 with Gen 35:10).
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Shebah: i.e. an oath
therefore: Gen 21:31
Beersheba: i.e. the well of the oath, Gen 26:28, This may have been the same city which was called Beer-sheba a hundred years before this, in the time of Abraham; but as the well, from which it had its name originally, was closed up by the Philistines, the name of the place might have been abolished with the well; when, therefore, Isaac re-opened it, he restored the ancient name of the place.
Reciprocal: Gen 21:14 – Beersheba Gen 21:33 – called Jos 4:9 – and they are there Jos 15:28 – Beersheba Neh 11:27 – General