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Abraham and Abimelech Make a Covenant

22 At that time Abimelech, with Phicol the commander of his army, said to Abraham, “God is with you in all that you do;(A) 23 now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my offspring or with my posterity, but as I have dealt loyally with you, you will deal with me and with the land where you have resided as an alien.” 24 And Abraham said, “I swear it.”

25 When Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well of water that Abimelech’s servants had seized,(B) 26 Abimelech said, “I do not know who has done this; you did not tell me, and I have not heard of it until today.” 27 So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant.(C) 28 Abraham set apart seven ewe lambs of the flock. 29 And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs that you have set apart?” 30 He said, “These seven ewe lambs you shall accept from my hand in order that you may be a witness for me that I dug this well.”(D) 31 Therefore that place was called Beer-sheba,[a] because there both of them swore an oath.(E) 32 When they had made a covenant at Beer-sheba, Abimelech, with Phicol the commander of his army, left and returned to the land of the Philistines. 33 Abraham[b] planted a tamarisk tree in Beer-sheba and there called on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God.[c](F) 34 And Abraham resided as an alien many days in the land of the Philistines.

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Footnotes

  1. 21.31 That is, well of seven or well of the oath
  2. 21.33 Heb He
  3. 21.33 Or the Lord, El Olam

Abraham’s Covenant with Abimelech

22 At that time Abimelech, accompanied by Phicol the commander of his army,(A) said to Abraham, “God is with you in everything you do.(B) 23 Swear to me by God here and now, that you will not break an agreement with me or with my children and descendants. As I have been loyal to you, so you will be loyal to me and to the country where you are a resident alien.”

24 And Abraham said, “I swear it.” 25 But Abraham complained to Abimelech because of the well that Abimelech’s servants had seized.(C)

26 Abimelech replied, “I don’t know who did this thing. You didn’t report anything to me, so I hadn’t heard about it until today.”

27 Abraham took flocks and herds and gave them to Abimelech, and the two of them made a covenant.(D) 28 Abraham separated seven ewe lambs from the flock. 29 And Abimelech said to Abraham, “Why have you separated these seven ewe lambs?”

30 He replied, “You are to accept the seven ewe lambs from me so that this act[a] will serve as my witness that I dug this well.” 31 Therefore that place was called Beer-sheba[b](E) because it was there that the two of them swore an oath. 32 After they had made a covenant at Beer-sheba, Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, left and returned to the land of the Philistines.

33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beer-sheba, and there he called on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God.(F) 34 And Abraham lived as an alien in the land of the Philistines for many days.

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Footnotes

  1. 21:30 Lit that it
  2. 21:31 = Well of the Oath, or Seven Wells