Lexical Summary
Beer: Beer
Original Word:בְּאֵר
Part of Speech:Proper Name Location
Transliteration:B'er
Pronunciation:beh-ayr'
Phonetic Spelling:(be-ayr')
KJV: Beer
NASB:Beer
Word Origin:[the same asH875 (בְּאֵר - well)]
1. Beer, a place in the Desert, also one in Israel
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Beer
The same as'er; Beer, a place in the Desert, also one in Palestine -- Beer.
see HEBREW'er
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom the same as
beerDefinition"well," a place in the desert, also one in Pal.
NASB TranslationBeer (2).
Topical Lexicon
Geographic SettingBeer was a settlement east of the Jordan River, apparently situated in the wilderness corridor between the Arnon Gorge and the Plains of Moab. Its name, bound to the idea of a “well,” indicates that the locale was marked by an indispensable source of water in an otherwise arid region. As the Israelites advanced toward Canaan during the latter phase of the exodus, Beer served as a pivotal staging point where the people rested and received divine provision.
Biblical Occurrences
•Numbers 21:16 records Israel’s arrival: “From there they went to Beer, the well where the LORD said to Moses, ‘Gather the people together so that I may give them water.’” The text unites the physical place with the miraculous supply the LORD granted.
•Judges 9:21 notes that Jotham, after pronouncing his parable of the trees and cursing Abimelech, “fled to Beer and stayed there, for fear of his brother Abimelech.”
Historical Background
1. Wilderness Journey (Numbers 21) – Beer appears at a critical juncture between major victories over Amorite kings (Numbers 21:21-35). The stop at Beer is bracketed by triumph and forward movement, underscoring God’s continuing care.
2. Early Tribal Period (Judges 9) – By the time of the Judges, Beer functioned as a secure town or district within the territory later associated with the tribe of Benjamin or Ephraim. Jotham’s choice of Beer as a refuge implies that the settlement possessed defensible terrain or sympathetic inhabitants who opposed Abimelech’s violent ascent.
Theological Themes
Divine Provision
At Beer the LORD explicitly promised water: “Gather the people together so that I may give them water” (Numbers 21:16). The well became both symbol and reality of Yahweh’s gracious sustenance. The scene recalls earlier episodes at Rephidim and Marah, but here the people require no complaint; the LORD initiates the gift. Beer therefore accents the initiative of grace—God providing before human desperation erupts.
Covenant Assurance
The supply of water after recent military victories demonstrated that conquest would not diminish dependence on God. Beer confirms the covenant rhythm of God fighting for His people and feeding His people, a pattern fulfilled ultimately in Jesus Christ, the “living water” (John 4:10-14).
Refuge and Protection
Jotham’s flight to Beer illustrates a secondary motif: the place of the well as a haven. In the biblical landscape, wells often double as meeting points and shelters (Genesis 24:11-16;Exodus 2:15-17). By resting at Beer, Jotham entrusted himself to the same Lord who had once refreshed Israel there. The text thus links covenant refuge with covenant provision.
Ministry Significance
1. Encouragement in Pilgrimage – Congregations can draw upon Beer as a reminder that seasons of transition are not devoid of resources; the LORD places “wells” along the road to the Promised Land.
2. Corporate Prayer – Moses was told to assemble the people before God supplied the water (Numbers 21:16). Collective gathering precedes communal blessing, suggesting patterns for worship and intercession.
3. Sanctified Leadership – Jotham’s retreat to Beer preserves his life for a future testimony against Abimelech’s tyranny. Modern leaders facing injustice may likewise seek a “Beer”—a place of spiritual replenishment—while trusting God to vindicate righteousness.
Related Passages for Study
Exodus 15:22-27;Exodus 17:1-7 – early wilderness wells
Deuteronomy 2:24-37 – the surrounding campaign context
Psalm 84:5-7 – “passing through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs”
John 7:37-39 – Christ’s invitation to drink
Summary
Beer is more than a geographical waypoint; it embodies God’s unfailing supply and safe harbor. Whether sustaining travelers in the desert or sheltering a persecuted prophet, the well of Beer points forward to the eternal refreshment and refuge found in the Lord Himself.
Forms and Transliterations
בְּאֵ֑רָה בארה bə’êrāh bə·’ê·rāh beErah
Links
Interlinear Greek •
Interlinear Hebrew •
Strong's Numbers •
Englishman's Greek Concordance •
Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •
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