Bible Commentary

And [Abraham] planted a grove in Beer-sheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God. 33. a tamarisk tree ] The tamarix syriaca. The Heb. word shel puzzled the versions; LXX , Lat. nemus. Tradition probably connected a famous tamarisk, close to the seven sacred springs, with the site of the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 21:33”

Thus they made a covenant at Beer-sheba: then Abimelech rose up, and Phichol the chief captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the Philistines. 32. returned into the land of the Philistines ] The reference to the Philistines is an anachronism. It is doubtful whether the Philistines occupied S. E. Palestine … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 21:32”

Wherefore he called that place Beer-sheba; because there they swore both of them. 31. Beer-sheba ] LXX : the derivation here given is “because there they sware both of them.” The word in Heb. “they sware” ( nishb‘u) is the reflexive form of the verb shaba‘. This derivation of Beer-sheba, as “the well of swearing,” … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 21:31”

And he said, For [these] seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well. 30. that it may be a witness ] Abimelech’s question and Abraham’s answer are probably the technical terms of the usual transaction. The transfer of the seven … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 21:30”

And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What [mean] these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves? And Abimelech said unto Abraham,…. Observing what he had done, and not knowing the design of it: what [mean] these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves? he understood what the sheep and oxen were for, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 21:29”

And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves. 28. seven ewe lambs ] The seven lambs which Abraham here sets apart are to be handed over to Abimelech, if he acknowledges Abraham as the possessor of the well, and ratifies the compact with an oath. The number “seven” ( sheba‘) is one … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 21:28”

And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and both of them made a covenant. 27. And Abraham took sheep, &c.] Abraham makes a gift, according to the custom, at the conclusion of a treaty (cf. 1Ki 15:19) and as a pledge of his good faith. He also acknowledges his need of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 21:27”

And Abimelech said, I know not who hath done this thing: neither didst thou tell me, neither yet heard I [of it], but today. Verse 26. I wot not who hath done this thing] The servants of Abimelech had committed these depredations on Abraham without any authority from their master, who appears to have been … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 21:26”

And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech’s servants had violently taken away. 25. Abraham reproved ] Disputes about wells are some of the most common causes of strife among the Bedouin tribes. Abraham’s complaint is that his servants had dug wells; that Abimelech’s servants had taken violent possession of them; … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 21:25”

And Abraham said, I will swear. Quest. How could Abraham lawfully swear this, when Canaan was given by God to him and his seed for ever? Answ. Neither Abraham nor his seed had any present and actual right to the possession of the land, but only the promise of a right in it, and possession … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Genesis 21:24”