Genesis 16:14 - Therefore the well was called Beer Lahai Roi. Behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.

Generated Verse: Genesis 16:14

What does "Genesis 16:14" mean?


This verse, Genesis 16:14, provides two pieces of information:

1. The Meaning of Beer Lahai Roi: "Therefore the well was called Beer Lahai Roi." This is the primary meaning. The name "Beer Lahai Roi" (בְּאֵר לַחַי רֹאִי) translates to "Well of the Living One who sees me" or "Well of Him who lives and sees me." The name commemorates Hagar's encounter with the angel of the Lord, who heard her distress and promised her a multitude of descendants. It reflects Hagar's realization that God sees and cares for her, even in her affliction and isolation. She acknowledges God not only as living, but as actively seeing and caring for her circumstances.

2. Geographical Location: "Behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered." This provides a geographical marker to help readers locate the well. While the precise location of Bered is unknown and debated among scholars, Kadesh is a more well-known location in the Negev desert. This establishes that the well, and by extension Hagar's encounter with God, happened in a specific, real place (even if we can't pinpoint it exactly today), further grounding the story within a historical or geographical context.

In essence, the verse connects a significant spiritual experience with a tangible location. The well, named after Hagar's encounter with God, serves as a lasting reminder of divine care and presence. The geographical location further emphasizes the reality of the story.

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