Treaty at Beersheba (21:22–34)

Well of water (21:25). The region of Beersheba had limited rainfall, so water supply was largely provided through wells. Water rights in such ecological situations were established by contracts, as here. That such discussion could become important for international relations is evidenced by some correspondence between Rim-Sin of Larsa and the king of Eshnunna in the Old Babylonian period, where water rights are under dispute and negotiations take place.407

Well technology required sufficient knowledge of hydrology to identify the location of aquifers and the ability to dig down to them, but also sufficient knowledge of well-building technology, including the construction of lining to stabilize the shaft and prevent seepage from the sides. The significant amount of labor necessary for such an undertaking makes it obvious why the rights to this water supply would be worth fighting over. Urban wells have been found in the excavations of major cities such as Ebla, Ugarit, and Nimrud.408

Beersheba well

Jack Hazut

Land of the Philistines (21:32). The Philistines known from the time of the Judges and the early monarchy did not come into the region and occupy this territory until around 1200 B.C.—much later than the time of Abraham and likewise later than the time of Moses. The first known mention of the Philistines outside the Bible is in the records of Ramesses III (1182–1151 B.C.).409 They were one of the tribes of the Sea Peoples who eventually settled in five city-states along the southern coast of Canaan. Abimelech is a Semitic name, and as “king of Gerar” he matches nothing that is known of the Philistine profile. While it is not impossible that this story represents contact with an earlier group of Philistines who settled the area prior to the Sea Peoples, most likely this is simply an anachronistic use of the name “Philistines” for the area rather than an ethnic identification of the people whom Abraham encounters.410

Eternal God (21:33). The title used here (Heb. ʾ ēl ʿ ôlām) occurs also in the proto-Sinaitic inscriptions found in western Sinai.411

Proto-sinaitic inscription from Serabit el Khadim, Mine M, with the words El Olam

Z. Radovan/www.BibleLandPictures.com