Genesis 21:30

30 Abraham said, "It means that when you accept these seven sheep, you take it as proof that I dug this well, that it's my well."

Genesis 21:30 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 21:30

And he said
That is, Abraham replied to Abimelech: for these seven ewe lambs shall thou take of my hand;
as a present from him, to be retained as his own: that they may be a witness to me that I have digged this well:
these were to be a testimony that the well that had been taken away from Abraham was one that he had dug, and was his property, and which Abimelech acknowledged by his acceptance of these seven lambs; and very probably Abraham received a note from the hand of Abimelech, owning his reception of the seven lambs, and his title to the well, which these were a witness of.

Genesis 21:30 In-Context

28 Abraham set aside seven sheep from his flock.

29 Abimelech said, "What does this mean? These seven sheep you've set aside."

30 Abraham said, "It means that when you accept these seven sheep, you take it as proof that I dug this well, that it's my well."

31 That's how the place got named Beersheba (the Oath-Well), because the two of them swore a covenant oath there.

32 After they had made the covenant at Beersheba, Abimelech and his commander, Phicol, left and went back to Philistine territory.