Genesis 21:22-23 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 21:22-32

We have here an account of the treaty between Abimelech and Abraham, in which appears the accomplishment of that promise (Gen. 12:2) that God would make his name great. His friendship is valued, is courted, though a stranger, though a tenant at will to the Canaanites and Perizzites. I. The league is proposed by Abimelech, and Phichol his prime-minister of state and general of his army. 1. The inducement to it was God's favour to Abraham (Gen. 21:22): ?God is with thee in all that thou doest,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 21:22

And it came to pass at that time ,.... Not when Ishmael was grown up and married, but when Isaac was weaned and Ishmael was expelled: that Abimelech, and Phichol, the chief captain of his host, spake unto Abraham ; Abimelech was king of Gerar, the same that is spoken of in the preceding chapter, and Phichol was the general of his army; these two great personages came together and paid Abraham a visit, and had some conversation with him, who was still in Gerar, or however in some part of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 21:23

Now therefore swear unto me here by God ,.... By the true and living God, by whom only an oath is to be taken, who was Abraham's God, and whom Abimelech seems to have known and to have been a worshipper of; and therefore moves for an oath to be taken by him, which he knew would be sacred and binding to Abraham, could he prevail upon him to swear: that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son ; perhaps he had heard that God had promised to give the whole... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 21:22

At that time - This may either refer to the transactions recorded in the preceding chapter, or to the time of Ishmael's marriage, but most probably to the former. God is with thee - דיי מימרא meimera daiya , the Word of Jehovah; see before, Genesis 15:1 . That the Chaldee paraphrasts use this term, not for a word spoken, but in the same sense in which St. John uses the λογος του Θεου , the Word of God, ( John 1:1 ;), must be evident to every unprejudiced reader. See on Genesis... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 21:23

Now therefore swear unto me - The oath on such occasions probably meant no more than the mutual promise of both the parties, when they slew an animal, poured out the blood as a sacrifice to God, and then passed between the pieces. See this ceremony, Genesis 15:18 ; (note), and on Genesis 15 (note). According to the kindness that I have done - The simple claims of justice were alone set up among virtuous people in those ancient times, which constitute the basis of the famous lex... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 21:22

Verse 22 22.And it came to pass at that time. Moses relates, that this covenant was entered into between Abraham and Abimelech, for the purpose of showing, that after various agitations, some repose was, at length, granted to the holy man. He had been constrained, as a wanderer, and without a fixed abode, to move his tent from place to place, during sixty years. But although God would have him to be a sojourner even unto death, yet, under king Abimelech, he granted him a quiet habitation. And... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 21:23

Verse 23 23.That thou wilt not deal falsely with me (441) Literally it is, ‘If thou shalt lie;’ for, among the Hebrews, a defective form of speech is common in taking oaths, which is to be thus explained: ‘If thou shouldst break the promise given to me, we call upon God to sit as Judge between us, and to show himself the avenger of perjury.’ But ‘to lie,’ some here take for dealing unjustly and fraudulently; others for failing in the conditions of the covenant. I simply understand it as if it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 21:22

And it came to pass at that time ,—possibly in immediate sequence to the incident of the preceding chapter, but, "according to the common law of Hebrew narrative, probably not long after the birth of Isaac." (Murphy)— that Abimelech —the king of Gerar ( Genesis 20:2 ; Genesis 26:1 , Genesis 26:16 )— and Phi-chol —if the name be Shemitic, "mouth of all," i.e. spokesman of all (Murphy), ruler of all (Gesenius); or " the distinguished" (Furst); believed to have been a titular... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 21:22-34

Abimelech and Abraham, or ancient covenanters. I. THE POLITICAL ALLIANCE . 1. The contemplated object . Peace. What modern monarchs mostly desire at the close of exhausting campaigns is here sought before campaigns begin. 2. The covenanting parties . Two powerful princes, in their conduct exemplifying the spirit of unity and peace which should bind together private persons in their daily intercourse, as well as kings and nations in their political alliance. 3. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 21:22-34

A covenant between the patriarch and the Philistine king. Abraham a sojourner in that land, afterwards the troubler of Israel; for his sake as discipline, for their sakes as opportunity. 1. God's care for those beyond the covenant. A Beersheba in a heathen land. 2. The things of this world made a channel of higher blessings. The covenant arising out of bodily wants a civil agreement. The oath a testimony to God where reverently made. 3. He is not far from every one of us. The... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 21:22-32

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 21:22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 21:23

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 21:22

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 21:23

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 21:22

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 21:23

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 21:22

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 21:22-34

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 21:22-34

Group of Brands