BEERSHEBA  , a

place midway between Gaza and Hebron (28 m. from each), frequently referred to in the Bible as the southern limit of Palestine ("Dan to Beersheba," Judg. xx . 1, &c.) Its foundation is variously ascribed to Abraham and Isaac, and different etymologies for its name are suggested, in the fundamental documents of Genesis (xxi . 22, xxvi . 26) . It was an important holy place, where Abraham planted a sacred tree (Gen. xxi . 23), and where divine manifestations were vouchsafed to Hagar (Gen. xxi . 17), Isaac (xxvi . 24), Jacob (xlvi . 2) and Elijah (1 Kings xix . 5) . Amos mentions it in connexion with the shrines of Bethel and Gilgal (Amos v . 5) and denounces oaths by its numen (viii .

14) . The most probable meaning of the name is " seven

wells," despite the non-Semitic construction involved in this interpretation . Seven ancient wells still exist here, though two are stopped up . Eusebius and Jerome mention the place in the 4th century as a large village and the seat of a Roman garrison . Extensive remains of this village exist, though they are being rapidly quarried away for building; some inscriptions of great importance have been found here . Later it appears to have been the site of a bishopric; remains of its churches were still standing in the 14th century . Some fine mosaics have been here unearthed and immediately destroyed, in sheer wantonness, by the natives quarrying building-stone . The Biblical Beersheba probably exists at Bir es-Seba', 2 M. distant .