Genesis 21:23 KJV

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 21:23

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 21:23

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 21:23

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 21:22-34

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 21:23

Now therefore swear unto me here by God —the verb to swear is derived from the Hebrew numeral seven, inasmuch as the septennary number was sacred, and oaths were confirmed either by seven sacrifices ( Genesis 21:28 ) or by seven witnesses and pledges— that thou wilt not deal falsely with me ,—literally, if thou shalt lie unto me ; a common form of oath in Hebrew, in which the other member of the sentence is for emphasis left unexpressed (cf. Ruth 1:17 , and vide Genesis 14:23 ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 21:1-34

- The Birth of Isaac7. מלל mı̂lēl “speak,” an ancient and therefore solemn and poetical word.14. חמת chêmet “bottle,” akin to חמה chāmâh, “surround, enclose,” and הוּם chûm “black. באר שׁבע beêr-sheba‛, Beer-sheba‘, “well of seven.”22. פיכל pı̂ykol, Pikhol, “mouth or spokesman of all.”23. נין nı̂yn “offspring, kin;” related: “sprout, flourish.” נכד neked “progeny,” perhaps “acquaintance,” cognate with נגד ngd, “be before” (the eyes) and נקד nqd, “mark.”33. אשׁל 'êshel “grove;” ἄρουρα... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 21:22-34

Treaty with Abimelech (21:22-34)Abraham had settled in the south of Canaan in Abimelech’s territory and at Abimelech’s invitation (see 20:15). Abimelech, however, was still wary of Abraham and fearful of the God whom Abraham worshipped. He suggested that Abraham and he make a treaty that would guarantee good relations between them (22-24). Abraham agreed to this, but at the same time he forced Abimelech to agree to return to him a well that Abimelech’s herdsmen claimed as theirs. Abimelech... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 21:23

kindness. Fig, Metonymy (of Cause). App-6 . See Genesis 20:13 . read more

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

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

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

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 21:22-34

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 21:22-34

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 21:23

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Genesis 21:1-34

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Genesis 21:22-34

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Genesis 21:23

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