Names of the Seven Springs of Kadesh Barnea
Kadesh-barnea, a significant oasis located approximately fifty miles south of Beersheba, was known for its abundant wells and springs [2]. While the site is frequently mentioned in biblical narratives, particularly in connection with the Israelites' wilderness wanderings and their initial approach to the Promised Land [2, 3], specific names for individual springs within Kadesh-barnea are not provided in the biblical text or in the available interpretive traditions.
The Bible refers to Kadesh-barnea as a location, often associated with events such as the sending of the twelve spies into Canaan (Numbers 13) and the subsequent rebellion of the Israelites [2]. Abraham Ibn Ezra, in his commentary on Numbers 33:16, identifies Kibroth-hattaavah as being in Kadesh-barnea, further emphasizing the site's importance in the wilderness journey [3]. However, his commentary, like the biblical text, does not detail the names of specific springs.
The name "Beersheba," which is geographically linked to Kadesh-barnea as a traditional southern boundary of Israel, means "the well of an oath" or "the seventh well" [1, 2]. This suggests that wells and their names were significant in the region. Despite this, the numerous springs and wells at Kadesh-barnea itself are collectively described as "abundant" rather than individually named in the available sources [2]. Therefore, while Kadesh-barnea was rich in water sources, the names of its "seven springs" are not recorded in the provided biblical or interpretive texts.
Sources
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Beersheba — the well of an oath; the seventh well”
- Deuteronomy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Deuteronomy 1:19: 1:19-25 See Num 13. 1:19 Kadesh-barnea, a great oasis with abundant wells and springs, was about fifty miles south of Beersheba, the traditional southern point of Israel (see 2 Sam 3:10; 1 Chr 21:2).”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Numbers 33:16: KIBROTH-HATTAAVAH. The latter is in Kadesh-barnea, 14 See I.E. on Num. 20:14. as I explained.”