Genesis 21:27-34

27 Avraham took sheep and cattle and gave them to Avimelekh, and the two of them made a covenant.

28 Avraham put seven female lambs from the flock by themselves.

29 Avimelekh asked Avraham, "What is the meaning of these seven female lambs you have put by themselves?"

30 He answered, "You are to accept these seven female lambs from me as witness that I dug this well."

31 This is why that place was called Be'er-Sheva [well of seven, well of an oath] - because they both swore an oath there.

32 When they made the covenant at Be'er-Sheva, Avimelekh departed with Pikhol the commander of his army and returned to the land of the P'lishtim.

33 Avraham planted a tamarisk tree in Be'er-Sheva, and there he called on the name of ADONAI, the everlasting God.

34 Avraham lived for a long time as a foreigner in the land of the P'lishtim.

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.