Beersheba lies in the central Negev. It was settled before 3,000 B.C., more than a millennial before Abraham arrived there circa 2,000 B.C.
Abraham and Isaac dug wells there and formed alliances with Abimelech, King of the Philistines. Abraham gave it the name "Be'er Sheva," which means "well of the oath" or "well of seven."
Beersheba is used to refer to the southern end of the Promised Land—"from Dan to Beersheba" refers to Israel from north to south.
During King David's reign, the Israelites conquered Beersheba, which became a city of the tribe of Simeon and was later incorporated into the tribe of Judah. (Joshua 15:28; 19:2)
Beersheba was deserted after Israel was conquered by Babylon. When the Jews returned to their land 70 years later, many resettled in Beersheba. (Nehemiah 11:27, 30)
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