Genesis 21:31

That is why he named that place ¹  Beer Sheba, ²  because the two of them swore ³  an oath there.

Ge 21:14; Ge 26:23; Ge 26:33; Jos 15:28; Jud 20:1; 2Sa 17:11; 1Ki 4:25

¹ tn Heb “that is why he called that place.” Some translations render this as an impersonal passive, “that is why that place was called.”

² sn The name Beer Sheba (בְּאֵר שָׁבַע, bÿ’er shava’) means “well of the oath” or “well of the seven.” Both the verb “to swear” and the number “seven” have been used throughout the account. Now they are drawn in as part of the explanation of the significance of the name.

³ sn The verb forms a wordplay with the name Beer Sheba.