Genesis 21:27-34

27 Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and 1the two of them made a covenant.
28 Then Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.
29 Abimelech said to Abraham, "What do these seven ewe lambs mean, which you have set by themselves?"
30 He said, "You shall take these seven ewe lambs from my hand so that it may be a 2witness to me, that I dug this well."
31 Therefore * he called that place 3Beersheba, because there the two of them took an oath.
32 So they made a covenant at Beersheba; and Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, arose and returned to the land of the Philistines.
33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba, and there 4he called on the name of the LORD, the 5Everlasting God.
34 And Abraham sojourned 6in the land of the Philistines for many days.

Genesis 21:27-34 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO GENESIS 21

This chapter gives an account of the conception, birth, circumcision, and weaning of Isaac, Ge 21:1-8; of the mocking of Ishmael, and of the casting out of him and his mother from Abraham's house, at the request of Sarah, which, though grievous to Abraham, he complied with at the direction of God, Ge 21:9-13; of the provision Abraham made for their departure, and of the supply they met with in the wilderness from God, where Ishmael was brought up, and where he married, Ge 21:14-21; and of a covenant between Abraham and Abimelech, king of Gerar, Ge 21:22-32; and of Abraham's planting a grove, and calling on the name of the Lord, Ge 21:33; and the chapter is closed with this observation, that Abraham sojourned in the land of the Philistines many days, Ge 21:34.

Cross References 6

  • 1. Genesis 26:31
  • 2. Genesis 31:48
  • 3. Genesis 21:14; Genesis 26:33
  • 4. Genesis 12:8
  • 5. Exodus 15:18; Deuteronomy 32:40; Psalms 90:2; Psalms 93:2; Isaiah 40:28; Jeremiah 10:10; Habakkuk 1:12; Hebrews 13:8
  • 6. Genesis 22:19
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