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בְּאֵר

𐤁𐤀𐤓

bᵉʼêr

H875 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A subterranean water source—an excavated or naturally occurring well, often with water accessible at the surface, used for drinking or watering animals. The term may also refer generically to a pit or shaft, though most frequently denotes a constructed water well crucial for settlement and agriculture in arid regions. Occasionally it is used in the context of place-names or as a symbolic reference.

Semantic Range

well (water-source); pit (excavated shaft); source of water for humans and animals; place-name element; figurative source of nourishment or refreshment

Root / Etymology

From the root באר (b-ʼ-r), primarily meaning 'to dig, excavate (a well or pit).' The noun בְּאֵר (beʼêr) arises from this root and signifies the result of digging—a well or pit, specifically for the purpose of accessing water.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the context of the Hebrew Bible, בְּאֵר plays a significant role in narratives relating to the patriarchs (notably Genesis), where wells are frequently sites of social interaction, dispute, or covenant-making among Israelites and neighboring peoples. The term is distinct from other words translated as 'cistern' (בור, bor), which usually refers to artificially lined pits for collecting rainwater rather than water from underground sources. In later periods, בְּאֵר remains associated with significant sites (e.g., Beersheba—'well of the oath'). In translation tradition, the word is sometimes rendered simply as 'well,' though it may be less precise in modern English, as the Hebrew specifies a source of water usually accessed by digging into the ground. The semantic field does not inherently carry the religious or ritual overtones later associated with 'living water.'

Translation Consistency

primary "well" 34 occurrences

Beʻer (H875) is overwhelmingly a noun meaning a water well or pit. 'Well' is the most frequent and natural English equivalent, covers the primary sense (water source for people and animals), works for place-name uses and figurative senses, and avoids rendering the Hebrew noun as a verb (e.g., 'dug'), which is a different semantic focus. Using 'well' ensures consistent, natural translation across all occurrences.

Alternatives (3 occurrences):
"pits of" (2x) "pit" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from בָּאַר; a pit; especially a well; pit, well.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

באר (b-ʾ-r) — to dig, excavate; by extension to clarify

Root באר to dig, excavate, clarify (by extension)
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H874 בָּאַר clearly explain
H876 בְּאֵר toward Well-place
H877 בֹּאר excavated cisterns
H878 בְּאֵרָא Beera
H880 בְּאֵרָה Well-Spring

Word Forms

10 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H875-04 הַ/בְּאֵ֥ר habeer HTd/Ncfsa the well the dug well the dug well 13
H875-01 בְּאֵ֣ר beer HNcfsc a well dug well well 10
H875-10 בְאֵ֣ר veer HNcfsa a well water-well in a well 5
H875-03 בֶּֽאֱרֹ֤ת beerot HNcfpc pits wells of pits of 3
H875-06 לַ/בְּאֵ֔ר labeer HRd/Ncfsa the well to the well to the well 1
H875-07 לִ/בְאֵ֬ר liveer HR/Ncfsc to the pit to a well to the pit 1
H875-08 מֵֽ/הַ/בְּאֵ֔ר mehabeer HR/Td/Ncfsa from the well from the dug well from the well 1
H875-05 הַ/בְּאֵרֹ֗ת habeerot HTd/Ncfpa the wells the excavated wells the wells 1
H875-02 בְּאֵרֶֽ/ךָ beerekha HNcfsc/Sp2ms your own well your well your well 1
H875-09 וּ/בְאֵ֥ר uveer HC/Ncfsa and well and Well and well 1

Occurrences in Scripture

37 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H875-03 Genesis 14:10 בֶּֽאֱרֹ֤ת beerot HNcfpc pits wells of pits of
H875-03 Genesis 14:10 בֶּאֱרֹת֙ beerot-2 HNcfpc pits wells of pits of
H875-06 Genesis 16:14 לַ/בְּאֵ֔ר labeer HRd/Ncfsa the well to the well to the well
H875-01 Genesis 21:19 בְּאֵ֣ר beer HNcfsc a well dug well well
H875-01 Genesis 21:25 בְּאֵ֣ר beer HNcfsc a well dug well well
H875-04 Genesis 21:30 הַ/בְּאֵ֥ר habeer HTd/Ncfsa the well the dug well the dug well
H875-01 Genesis 24:11 בְּאֵ֣ר beer HNcfsc well dug well well
H875-04 Genesis 24:20 הַ/בְּאֵ֖ר habeer HTd/Ncfsa the well the dug well the dug well
H875-05 Genesis 26:15 הַ/בְּאֵרֹ֗ת habeerot HTd/Ncfpa the wells the excavated wells the wells
H875-03 Genesis 26:18 בְּאֵרֹ֣ת beerot HNcfpc the wells wells of wells of
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