Genesis 21:32

32 And they make a covenant in Beer-Sheba, and Abimelech riseth -- Phichol also, head of his host -- and they turn back unto the land of the Philistines;

Genesis 21:32 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 21:32

Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba
Which took its name from the oath annexed to the covenant there made; and which is observed for the sake of what follows, to show that when they finished their agreement, and the ceremony of it, then Abimelech rose up, and Phichol, the chief captain of his host;
from the place where they had been conversing and covenanting with Abraham: and they returned into the land of the Philistines;
from Beersheba, which was in the extreme border of it, unto Gerar, which lay in the midst of it, and was the capital city in it; otherwise both places were in Palestine, or the land of the Philistines, a people that came out of Egypt originally, and settled here: in Jerom's ^F21 time Beersheba was a large village, twenty miles from Hebron to the south.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F21 De loc. Heb. fol. 89. F.

Genesis 21:32 In-Context

30 And he saith, `For -- the seven lambs thou dost accept from my hand, so that it becometh a witness for me that I have digged this well;'

31 therefore hath he called that place `Beer-Sheba,' for there have both of them sworn.

32 And they make a covenant in Beer-Sheba, and Abimelech riseth -- Phichol also, head of his host -- and they turn back unto the land of the Philistines;

33 and [Abraham] planteth a tamarask in Beer-Sheba, and preacheth there in the name of Jehovah, God age-during;

34 and Abraham sojourneth in the land of the Philistines many days.