1192. Baalath Beer
Lexical Summary
Baalath Beer: Baalath Beer

Original Word: בַּעֲלַת בְּאֵר
Part of Speech: Proper Name Location
Transliteration: Ba`alath B`er
Pronunciation: bah-ah-LAHT beh-AYR
Phonetic Spelling: (bah-al-ath' beh-ayr')
KJV: Baalath-beer
NASB: Baalath-beer
Word Origin: [from H1172 (בַּעֲלָה - mistress) and H875 (בְּאֵר - well)]

1. mistress of a well
2. Baalath-Beer, a place in Israel

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Baalath-beer

From ba'alah and 'er; mistress of a well; Baalath-Beer, a place in Palestine -- Baalath-beer.

see HEBREW ba'alah

see HEBREW 'er

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from baalah and beer
Definition
"mistress of a well," a city in Simeon
NASB Translation
Baalath-beer (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
בַּעֲלַת בְּאֵר proper name, of a location (mistress of a well) = Ramath Negeb Joshua 19:8, a city of Simeon = II.בַּעַל; modern Kurnub according to TristrTpg but dubious

Topical Lexicon
Etymological Sense and Thematic Nuance

The compound name communicates “Lady (or Possessor) of the Well,” highlighting both a life-sustaining water source and an implied sovereignty over it. In the arid southern territories the control of a well connoted security, wealth, and hospitality—motifs that recur throughout Scripture whenever wells serve as meeting places, covenant sites, or symbols of God’s provision (Genesis 26:18–22; John 4:6–14).

Single Biblical Occurrence

Joshua 19:8 lists the town as part of the inheritance assigned to the tribe of Simeon:

“‘...along with all the villages around these towns as far as Baalath Beer, Ramah in the Negev.’” (Berean Standard Bible)

Its inclusion among “their inheritance surrounded by the territory of the children of Judah” (Joshua 19:9) underscores two theological themes: (1) the meticulous fulfillment of God’s promise that each tribe would receive a defined allotment, and (2) the intertwining of Simeon’s and Judah’s borders, anticipating later historical cooperation between the two tribes.

Geographical Setting

Located in the Negev, south or south-west of Beersheba, the town likely oversaw a strategic water source on a north–south caravan route. The reference to “Ramah” suggests a nearby height, implying both defensive advantage and visibility for travelers seeking refreshment.

Historical Context

1. Wilderness to Promise—For Simeon, once the smallest tribe (Genesis 49:5–7), towns like Baalath Beer represented tangible restoration after earlier discipline.
2. Pre-Exilic Period—Though later histories do not explicitly mention the town, its Negev position places it within areas fortified by Kings Asa (2 Chronicles 14:6–7) and Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:10), who strengthened outposts to protect Judah’s southern frontier.
3. Post-Exilic Echo—While the exact site faded from record, the broader region was resettled after the return from Babylon (Nehemiah 11:25-30), attesting to covenant continuity even amid shifting demographics.

Archaeological Considerations

Scholars have proposed correlations with sites such as Tel Beer Sheba or Tell el-Mashtaba, yet the absence of definitive inscriptions leaves the identification open. Pottery assemblages, Iron-Age fortifications, and well constructions in these tells offer circumstantial support for a prosperous settlement centered on water management.

Ministry and Devotional Insights

• God assigns territory purposefully. The single citation of Baalath Beer, embedded in a dry landscape, reminds believers that no place is insignificant when entrusted by the Lord.
• Wells typify salvation’s accessibility: “With joy you will draw water from the springs of salvation” (Isaiah 12:3). A town famed for its well calls the church to safeguard and share the gospel as the only true life-giving resource.
• Cooperative boundaries foster unity. Simeon within Judah prefigures the New Testament pattern of diverse members sharing one inheritance in Christ (Ephesians 3:6).

Summary

Though mentioned only once, Baalath Beer embodies divine provision in parched surroundings, covenant faithfulness in allotting the land, and an enduring call to steward God-given resources for the blessing of others.

Forms and Transliterations
בְּאֵ֖ר באר bə’êr bə·’êr beEr
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Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Joshua 19:8
HEB: עַד־ בַּֽעֲלַ֥ת בְּאֵ֖ר רָ֣אמַת נֶ֑גֶב
NAS: as far as Baalath-beer, Ramah of the Negev.
KJV: these cities to Baalathbeer, Ramath
INT: these far Baalath-beer Ramath of the south

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 1192
1 Occurrence


bə·’êr — 1 Occ.

1191
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