And Hazar-shual, and Beersheba, and Bizjothjah,
(17) And Hazar-shual - i:e., the habitat of the Shual. [Septuagint, [Cholaseoola]. The Scripture notices of this place, which describe it as lying between Moladah and Beer-sheba (Nehemiah 11:27), and toward Baalah, southwest of Gaza (Joshua 19:3; 1 Chronicles 4:28), sufficiently determine its whereabouts; and Van de Velde ('Syria and Palestine,' 2:, p. 136) mentions a ruin, named Saawe, on a hill near the last-mentioned town. A mud-built village, called Beni-shail, about half an hour northeast of Khanounes (Khan Yunas), was fixed upon by the Scottish Deputation ('Narrative, p. 84). The district of country in which both places are situated abounds with jackals, a small species of foxes, and gregarious (Robinson's 'Biblical Researches,' 2:, p. 624; Keith's 'Evidence of Prophecy,' p. 255, 27th edition).
(18) And Beer-sheba - now Ber es-Seba (see the note at Genesis 21:31; Genesis 26:32-33).
(19) And Bizjothjah. The Septuagint omits it, and no trace of it is to be found in the Negeb. Wilton suggests that it should be joined to the following word, Bizjothjah-baalah-the latter name being given to the place from the ancient prevalence of Baal-worship, and the former being added by the Israelites, expressing, according to the meaning of the words, 'Yahweh's contempt' of Baal. Deir el-Belah (the temple of Baal), about half-way between Khan Yunas and Gaza, and a little to the north of Beni-shail.