Distance Between Beersheba and Mt Moriah in Scripture
The distance between Beersheba and Mount Moriah is not explicitly stated in the biblical text, but various interpretations and calculations estimate it to be approximately 40 to 50 miles. This estimation is derived from the narrative of Abraham's journey to sacrifice Isaac in Genesis 22.
Beersheba, meaning "well of the oath" or "well of seven," was a significant location in ancient Palestine, marking the southern boundary of the land [1, 2]. It was a favored dwelling place for Abraham and Isaac, and its name originated from a compact made between Abraham and Abimelech [2]. The phrase "from Dan to Beersheba" became a common expression to denote the entire length of the Promised Land, a distance of about 144 miles [2]. Similarly, "from Geba to Beersheba" described the extent of the kingdom of Judah [5].
Mount Moriah is identified as the place where Abraham was commanded to sacrifice Isaac [4]. While its exact position has been debated, it is widely understood to be the elevation in Jerusalem where Solomon later built the Temple [4].
The calculation of the distance between Beersheba and Mount Moriah often stems from the detail in Genesis 22:4, which states, "Then on the third day, Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place afar off." Commentators interpret this "third day" as indicating a specific travel distance. One interpretation suggests that Mount Moriah was 40 miles from Beersheba, where Abraham resided [6]. This calculation posits that Hebron was 20 miles from Beersheba, and Jerusalem (Mount Moriah) was 22 miles from Hebron, making the total journey approximately 42 miles [6]. Traveling 20 miles a day on foot, as Isaac and the servants might have done, would align with a three-day journey in hot climates [6].
Other biblical references to travel times provide context for these estimations. For instance, it is noted that an "eleven days' journey" from Horeb (Mount Sinai) to Kadesh Barnea covers about 150 miles [3, 9]. A day's journey on foot is generally estimated at around 20 miles, though this can vary depending on the travelers and terrain [7]. Elijah's journey from Beersheba to Horeb is also estimated to be about 150 miles [10]. These examples suggest that a three-day journey could reasonably cover a distance in the range of 40-60 miles, supporting the estimations for the Beersheba to Moriah route.
While some rabbinic traditions suggest Abraham came to Hebron from Mount Moriah after the sacrifice, implying a different travel pattern for Sarah, the primary understanding of Abraham's journey to Moriah begins from Beersheba [8]. The significance of the "third day" in the narrative emphasizes the duration of Abraham's obedience and the time he had to contemplate the divine command [6].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Beersheba, Or Beersheba — (well of the oath), the name of one of the old places in Palestine which formed the southern limit of the country. There are two accounts of the origin of the name. According to the first, the well was dug by Abraham, and the name given to Judah, (Joshua 15:28) and then to Simeon, (Joshua 19:2; 1 Chronicles 4:28) In the often-quoted "from Dan even unto Beersheba," (Judges 20:1) it represents the southern boundary of Canaan, as Dan the northern. In the time of Jerome it was still a considerable place, and still retains its ancient name--Bir es”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Beersheba — Well of the oath, or well of seven, a well dug by Abraham, and so named because he and Abimelech here entered into a compact (Gen. 21:31). On re-opening it, Isaac gave it the same name (Gen. 26:31-33). It was a favourite place of abode of both of these patriarchs (21:33-22:1, 19; 26:33; 28:10). It is mentioned among the "cities" given to the tribe of Simeon (Josh. 19:2; 1 Chr. 4:28). From Dan to Beersheba, a distance of about 144 miles (Judg. 20:1; 1 Chr. 21:2; 2 Sam. 24:2), became the usual way of designating the whole Promised Land, and passed into a pr”
- Deuteronomy “It is eleven days’ journey from Horeb by the way of Mount Seir to Kadesh Barnea. -- Deuteronomy 1:2”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Moriah — (chosen by Jehovah). + The land of Moriah--On "one of the mountains" in this district took place the sacrifice of Isaac. (Genesis 22:2) Its position is doubtful, some thinking it to be Mount MOriah, others that Moreh, near Shechem, is meant. [See [885]Mount, [886]Mount, Mountain MORIAH] + Mount Moriah .--The elevation on which Solomon built the temple, where God appeared to David "in the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite." it is the Eastern eminence of Jerusalem, separated from Mount Zion by the Tyropoeon valley. The tope was levelled by Solomon, and im”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Geba — The hill, (2 Sam. 5:25 [1 Chr. 14:16, "Gibeon"]; 2 Kings 23:8; Neh. 11:31), a Levitical city of Benjamin (1 Kings 15:22; 1 Sam. 13:16; 14:5, wrongly "Gibeah" in the A.V.), on the north border of Judah near Gibeah (Isa. 10:29; Josh. 18:24, 28). "From Geba to Beersheba" expressed the whole extent of the kingdom of Judah, just as "from Dan to Beersheba" described the whole length of Palestine (2 Kings 23:8). It has been identified with Gaba (Josh. 18:24; Ezra 2:26; Neh. 7:30), now Jeb'a, about 5 1/2 miles north of Jerusalem.”
- Genesis (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Genesis 22:4: Then on the third day,.... After he had received the command from God, and from his setting out on his journey; for he had now travelled two days, Mount Moriah being forty miles from Beersheba, where Abraham dwelt (s); or, as others compute it, forty: Hebron (t) was twenty miles from Beersheba, and Jerusalem twenty two from Hebron; and to travel twenty miles a day on foot, as Isaac and the servants seem to have done, there being but one ass among them, was far enough in those hot countries. Now all this while Abraham had time to reconsider things in his mind, and del”
- Deuteronomy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Deuteronomy 1:2: There are eleven days' journey from Horeb--Distances are computed in the East still by the hours or days occupiesd by the journey. A day's journey on foot is about twenty miles--on camels, at the rate of three miles an hour, thirty miles--and by caravans, about twenty-five miles. But the Israelites, with children and flocks, would move at a slow rate. The length of the Ghor from Ezion-geber to Kadesh is a hundred miles. The days here mentioned were not necessarily successive days [ROBINSON], for the journey can be made in a much shorter period. But”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Kabbalistic/Philosophical)) “Ramban (Nachmanides) on Genesis 23:2: AND ABRAHAM CAME. Rashi comments: “From Beer-sheba.” Now this does not mean to imply that Abraham remained in Beer-sheba — as is indicated in the verse, And Abraham abode at Beer-sheba , 7 Above, 22:19. for how then would Sarah have been in Hebron? Rather, the intent is to state that Abraham had gone to Beer-sheba for the day for some purpose, and while there he heard of the death of Sarah and came from there to Hebron to mourn and weep for her. However, the expression of our Rabbis is, 8 Bereshith Rabbah 58:5. “ And Abraham came — from Mount Moriah.” This”
- Deuteronomy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Deuteronomy 1:2: 1:2 The distance from Mount Sinai in the southern part of the Sinai Peninsula to Kadesh-barnea (see study note on 1:19) in the north is only 150 miles. Even the massive Hebrew population could easily have covered this distance in eleven days had they proceeded without detour or interruption. Their rebellion against the Lord resulted in a 38-year delay and a circuitous route (2:14; Num 14:34). • Mount Sinai: Hebrew Horeb, the name consistently used in Deuteronomy for the sacred mountain where the covenant was given. Its likely connection to a word meaning “drou”
- 1 Kings (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Kings 19:7: The journey is too great for thee - From Beer-sheba to Horeb was about one hundred and fifty miles.”