בְּאֵר (be.er)
be.er
Beer
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun be’er simply means a well or a dug pit for water. In the ancient Near East, access to such a source was essential for survival in arid regions. The word appears only twice in the Bible, both times referring to specific locations rather than the general concept of a well.
In Genesis 26:21, it names a site where Isaac’s servants dug for water, highlighting the practical struggle for resources. Later, in Numbers 21:16-18 and Judges 5:21, it identifies a station along the Israelites’ journey through the desert. Here, the well serves as a concrete landmark of God’s provision during their wilderness wanderings.
Its rarity in Scripture suggests it was not a common term for everyday use but reserved for significant historical or geographical markers. The word underscores the physical reality of thirst and the reliability of water sources in a harsh landscape.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word be'er refers to a well, a dug pit for water that was essential for survival in the ancient Near East. In Scripture, it appears only twice, marking specific locations rather than serving as a general term for any water source. This rarity highlights its significance as a concrete landmark of God’s provision during times of need.
In Numbers 21:16, Beer is described as the place where Yahweh promised to gather the people and give them water. This verse reminds us that even in the wilderness, God provides for His people at specific moments. The well becomes a symbol of reliability in a harsh landscape, showing that physical thirst can be met by divine care.
Similarly, Judges 9:21 mentions Beer as a place where Jotham fled for safety. Here, the well represents a refuge during conflict. These brief references invite us to trust that God meets our needs, whether in times of scarcity or danger. His provision is both practical and faithful, grounding our faith in real history.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Beer/ towards2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בְּאֵ֑רָ/ה2×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 21:16
From there they traveled to Beer; that is the well of which Yahweh said to Moses, “Gather the people together, and I will give them water.”
This verse identifies Beer as the specific well where Yahweh promised to gather the people and provide water, emphasizing divine provision in the wilderness.
-
Judges 9:21
Jotham ran away and fled, and went to Beer and lived there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.
Here, Beer serves as a refuge for Jotham, illustrating its role as a place of safety during times of conflict and fear.