Beersheba served as a residence for the biblical patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob stayed in Beersheba and invoked the one God. The location offered these figures water from numerous springs and protection from sand winds and temperature variations during their travels.

During the era of the monarchy, the city was an example of an Israelite city and reflected religious conflicts between polytheism and incipient monotheism. While it was formerly the most important city in the Néguev, Beersheba is now the main city of the southern district of Israel.