Genesis 21:22-34

The Covenant Between Abraham and Abimelech

22 And it happened [that] at that time, Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, said to Abraham, "God [is] with you, in all that you do.
23 So now, swear to me here by God [that] you will not deal with me falsely, or with my descendants, or my posterity. According to the kindness that I have done to you, you shall [pledge] to do with me and with the land where you have dwelled as an alien."
24 And Abraham said, "I swear."
25 Then Abraham complained to Abimelech on account of the well of water that servants of Abimelech had seized.
26 And Abimelech said, "I do not know who did this thing, neither did you tell me, nor have I heard [of it] except for today."
27 And Abraham took sheep and cattle and gave [them] to Abimelech. And the two of them {made} a covenant.
28 Then Abraham set [off] seven ewe-lambs of the flock by themselves.
29 And Abimelech said to Abraham, "What [is the meaning of] these seven ewe-lambs that you have set [off] by themselves?"
30 And he said, "You shall take the seven ewe-lambs from my hand {as proof on my behalf} that I dug this well."
31 Therefore that place is called Beersheba, because there the two of them swore an oath.
32 And they {made} a covenant at Beersheba. And Abimelech, and Phicol his army commander stood and returned to the land of the Philistines.
33 And he planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called on the name of Yahweh, {the everlasting God}.
34 And Abraham dwelled as an alien in the land of the Philistines many days.

Genesis 21:22-34 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.

Footnotes 5

  • [a]. Literally "cut"
  • [b]. Literally "for the sake that it shall be a witness for me"
  • [c]. Literally "cut"
  • [d]. That is, Abraham
  • [e]. Literally "El-Olam"
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.