Genesis 21:22-34
Holman Christian Standard Bible
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 foreign resident.”
24 And Abraham said, “I swear it.” 25 But Abraham complained to Abimelech because of the water 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 sheep and cattle[a] 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 my hand so that this act[b] will serve as my witness that I dug this well.” 31 Therefore that place was called Beer-sheba[c](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 Yahweh, the Everlasting God.(F) 34 And Abraham lived as a foreigner in the land of the Philistines for many days.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Genesis 21:27 A covenant or treaty was regularly ratified by animal sacrifice (Gn 8:20–9:9; 15:9-17; Ex 24:8) and often involved an exchange of gifts (1Kg 15:19; Hs 12:1). The animals here could serve both purposes.
- Genesis 21:30 Lit that it
- Genesis 21:31 = Well of the Oath, or Seven Wells
Genesis 21:22-34
Common English Bible
Abraham’s treaty with the Philistines
22 At that time Abimelech, and Phicol commander of his forces, said to Abraham, “God is with you in everything that you do. 23 So give me your word under God that you won’t cheat me, my children, or my descendants. Just as I have treated you fairly, so you must treat me and the land in which you are an immigrant.”
24 Abraham said, “I give you my word.” 25 Then Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well that Abimelech’s servants had seized.
26 Abimelech said, “I don’t know who has done this, and you didn’t tell me. I didn’t even hear about it until today.” 27 Abraham took flocks and cattle, gave them to Abimelech, and the two of them drew up a treaty.[a] 28 Abraham set aside, by themselves, seven female lambs from the flock. 29 So Abimelech said to Abraham, “What are these seven lambs you’ve set apart?”
30 Abraham said, “These seven lambs that you take from me will attest that I dug this well.” 31 Therefore, the name of that place is Beer-sheba[b] because there they gave each other their word. 32 After they drew up a treaty[c] at Beer-sheba, Abimelech, and Phicol commander of his forces, returned to the land of the Philistines. 33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beer-sheba, and he worshipped there in the name of the Lord, El Olam.[d] 34 Abraham lived as an immigrant in the Philistines’ land for a long time.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Genesis 21:27 Or covenant
- Genesis 21:31 Or Well of seven; or Well of giving one’s word
- Genesis 21:32 Or covenant
- Genesis 21:33 Or the eternal God
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible