31 So that place was called Beersheba,
31 Therefore that place was called Beersheba,
31 That's how the place got named Beersheba (the Oath-Well), because the two of them swore a covenant oath there.
31 Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because the two of them swore an oath there.
31 Then he named the place Beersheba (which means "well of the oath"), because that was where they had sworn the oath.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 21:31
Commentary on Genesis 21:22-34
(Read Genesis 21:22-34)
Abimelech felt sure that the promises of God would be fulfilled to Abraham. It is wise to connect ourselves with those who are blessed of God; and we ought to requite kindness to those who have been kind to us. Wells of water are scarce and valuable in eastern countries. Abraham took care to have his title to the well allowed, to prevent disputes in future. No more can be expected from an honest man than that he be ready to do right, as soon as he knows he has done wrong. Abraham, being now in a good neighbourhood, stayed a great while there. There he made, not only a constant practice, but an open profession of his religion. There he called on the name of the Lord, as the everlasting God; probably in the grove he planted, which was his place of prayer. Abraham kept up public worship, in which his neighbours might join. Good men should do all they can to make others so. Wherever we sojourn, we must neither neglect nor be ashamed of the worship of Jehovah.