Genesis 21:27-34

27 Then Abraham gave some sheep and cattle to Abimelech, and the two of them made an agreement.

28 Abraham separated seven lambs from his flock,

29 and Abimelech asked him, "Why did you do that?"

30 Abraham answered, "Accept these seven lambs. By doing this, you admit that I am the one who dug this well."

31 And so the place was called Beersheba, because it was there that the two of them made a vow.

32 After they had made this agreement at Beersheba, Abimelech and Phicol went back to Philistia.

33 Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and worshiped the Lord, the Everlasting God.

34 Abraham lived in Philistia for a long time.

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.

Footnotes

• [a]. beersheba: [This name in Hebrew means "Well of the Vow" or "Well of Seven" (see also 26.33).]