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This name, signifying well of the oath, was given to the place where Abraham and Abimelech made a covenant not to molest each other, and confirmed it by an oath. It afterwards became the dwelling place of Abraham and of Isaac, who also digged a well there, and a city is spoken of as bearing the same name. Gen. 21: 14, 31-33; Gen. 22:
19; Gen. 26: 23, 33; Gen. 28: 10. It became a part of Simeon's lot, Joshua 19: 1, 2; and after the settlement of the land it is constantly referred to as the most southern part of the land possessed, as Dan is pointed to as the most northern; thus 'from Dan to Beer-sheba' was the common expression for the whole territory even in the days of Solomon. 1 Kings 4: 25.
The prophet Amos warns the people not to trust in any places of renown or of former blessing, as Bethel, Gilgal, nor Beersheba; the glory of all had faded: they must seek Jehovah, and they should live. Amos 5: 5,6; Amos 8: 14. On the return of the exiles some of them dwelt at Beer-sheba, and from thence northward to the valley of Hinnom. Neh. 11: 27, 30. Beer-sheba is identified with Bir es Seba, . There are still two principal wells in the district giving excellent water, besides five smaller ones.