Abimelech and Phichol Speak With Abraham at the WellBible World
21:28Genesis 21:28
And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.
Genesis 21:28 falls within God's providential dealings with Abraham's family, the chosen family through whom the promised Seed would come. The surrounding chapter shows unhappiness in Abraham's family associated with polygamy. The verse belongs to Abraham's dealings and mutual agreement or covenant with Abimelech concerning the well at Beer-sheba.
Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves as a separate gift and pledge serving as a special witness connected with the covenant, making seven the number of lambs in the agreement over the well. The passage shows that a covenant is an agreement, and that agreements between parties are called covenants in the Bible. In this dealing Abraham acted as an independent sovereign and entered an alliance with Abimelech on equal terms.
Abraham first made a covenant of friendship with Abimelech and then raised the wrong done by Abimelech's servants, showing that a grievance could be addressed and fairly settled without breaking friendship. The covenant with Abimelech remained respected during Abraham's lifetime. The name Beer-sheba, meaning well of the oath, commemorated their agreement.
Genesis 21:28 falls within God's providential dealings with Abraham's family, the chosen family through whom the promised Seed would come. The surrounding chapter shows unhappiness in Abraham's family associated with polygamy. The verse belongs to Abraham's dealings and mutual agreement or covenant with Abimelech concerning the well at Beer-sheba.
Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves as a separate gift and pledge serving as a special witness connected with the covenant, making seven the number of lambs in the agreement over the well. The passage shows that a covenant is an agreement, and that agreements between parties are called covenants in the Bible. In this dealing Abraham acted as an independent sovereign and entered an alliance with Abimelech on equal terms.
Abraham first made a covenant of friendship with Abimelech and then raised the wrong done by Abimelech's servants, showing that a grievance could be addressed and fairly settled without breaking friendship. The covenant with Abimelech remained respected during Abraham's lifetime. The name Beer-sheba, meaning well of the oath, commemorated their agreement.