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Abraham’s Agreement with Abimelech

22 At that time Abimelech, accompanied by Phicol, the commander of his army, said to Abraham, “God is with you in everything you do. 23 Now, swear an oath to me here in front of God that you will never cheat me, my children, or my descendants. Show me and the land where you’ve been living the same kindness that I have shown you.”

24 Abraham said, “I so swear.”

25 Then Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well which Abimelech’s servants had seized. 26 Abimelech replied, “I don’t know who did this. You didn’t tell me, and I didn’t hear about it until today.”

27 Abraham took some sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech, and the two of them made an agreement. 28 Then Abraham set apart seven female lambs from the flock. 29 Abimelech asked him, “What is the meaning of these seven female lambs you have set apart?”

30 Abraham answered, “Accept these lambs from me so that they may be proof [a] that I dug this well.” 31 This is why that place is called Beersheba,[b] because both of them swore an oath there.

32 After they made the treaty at Beersheba, Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, left and went back to the land of the Philistines. 33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba and worshiped the Lord, the Everlasting God, there. 34 Abraham lived a long time in the land of the Philistines.

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Footnotes

  1. 21:30 Or “a witness.”
  2. 21:31 Beersheba can mean either “Well of the Seven” or “Well of the Oath.”

The Treaty at Beersheba

22 At that time Abimelek(A) and Phicol the commander of his forces(B) said to Abraham, “God is with you in everything you do.(C) 23 Now swear(D) to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants.(E) Show to me and the country where you now reside as a foreigner the same kindness I have shown to you.”(F)

24 Abraham said, “I swear it.”

25 Then Abraham complained to Abimelek about a well of water that Abimelek’s servants had seized.(G) 26 But Abimelek said, “I don’t know who has done this. You did not tell me, and I heard about it only today.”

27 So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelek, and the two men made a treaty.(H) 28 Abraham set apart seven ewe lambs from the flock, 29 and Abimelek asked Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs you have set apart by themselves?”

30 He replied, “Accept these seven lambs from my hand as a witness(I) that I dug this well.(J)

31 So that place was called Beersheba,[a](K) because the two men swore an oath(L) there.

32 After the treaty(M) had been made at Beersheba,(N) Abimelek and Phicol the commander of his forces(O) returned to the land of the Philistines.(P) 33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree(Q) in Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the Lord,(R) the Eternal God.(S) 34 And Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines(T) for a long time.

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Footnotes

  1. Genesis 21:31 Beersheba can mean well of seven and well of the oath.