Genesis 21:27

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

Genesis 21:27 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 21:27

And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto
Abimelech
In gratitude for former favours he had received from him, in token of the friendship that subsisted between them, and for the confirmation of it; and to show that he was fully satisfied with Abimelech's answer to his complaint, as well as willing to enter into covenant by sacrifice, when such creatures were divided, and the covenanters passed between the pieces, for so it follows: and both of them made a covenant;
or, "cut or struck a covenant" ^F19; cut the sacrifice in pieces and passed between them, in token of the compact and agreement they entered into with each other; signifying that whoever broke it deserved to be cut in pieces as those creatures were.

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FOOTNOTES:

F19 (wtrky) "foedus percusserunt", Pagninus, Montanus, Drusius; "secuerunt", Cocceius.

Genesis 21:27 In-Context

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?