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H1308 · Hebrew · Old Testament
בְּשֹׂור
Besor
Proper noun (place name) / Noun
Cheerful / Good News / Brook of Besor

Definition

Besor refers primarily to the Brook of Besor, a seasonal stream in the Negev south of Ziklag (1 Samuel 30:9-10, 21). The root meaning is 'cheerful, good news,' connecting to the verb basar (to bring good news, H1319). The brook served as a resting point for exhausted soldiers during David's pursuit of the Amalekites.

Usage & Theological Significance

The Besor incident is theologically significant for its teaching on grace and sharing. The 200 men too exhausted to cross the brook still received a full share of the spoil when the 400 returned victorious — David established this as a statute (1 Samuel 30:24-25). This prefigures the gospel principle that all believers share equally in Christ's victory regardless of their strength. Even the weary and weak who remained behind receive the full inheritance. The root meaning (good news) connects the place to the gospel itself — bissoret (good news) comes from basar.

Key Bible Verses

1 Samuel 30:9 David and the six hundred men with him came to the Besor Ravine, where some stayed behind.
1 Samuel 30:21 Then David came to the two hundred men who had been too exhausted to follow him and who were left behind at the Besor Ravine.
1 Samuel 30:24 The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike.
Isaiah 40:9 You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout.
Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings.

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