Genesis 21:23-33

23 Now therefore swear to me by God that thou wilt not injure me, nor my seed, nor my name, but according to the righteousness which I have performed with thee thou shalt deal with me, and with the land in which thou hast sojourned.

24 And Abraam said, I will swear.

25 And Abraam reproved Abimelech because of the wells of water, which the servants of Abimelech took away.

26 And Abimelech said to him, I know not who has done this thing to thee, neither didst thou tell it me, neither heard I it but only to-day.

27 And Abraam took sheep and calves, and gave them to Abimelech, and both made a covenant.

28 And Abraam set seven ewe-lambs by themselves.

29 And Abimelech said to Abraam, What are these seven ewe-lambs which thou hast set alone?

30 And Abraam said, Thou shalt receive the seven ewe-lambs of me, that they may be for me as a witness, that I dug this well.

31 Therefore he named the name of that place, The Well of the Oath, for there they both swore.

32 And they made a covenant at the well of the oath. And there rose up Abimelech, Ochozath his friend, and Phichol the commander-in-chief of his army, and they returned to the land of the Phylistines.

33 And Abraam planted a field at the well of the oath, and called there on the name of the Lord, the everlasting God.

Genesis 21:23-33 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.