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Matthew Henry

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 21:32

Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba ,.... Which took its name from the oath annexed to the covenant there made; and which is observed for the sake of what follows, to show that when they finished their agreement, and the ceremony of it: then Abimelech rose up, and Phichol, the chief captain of his host ; from the place where they had been conversing and covenanting with Abraham: and they returned into the land of the Philistines ; from Beersheba, which was in the extreme border of... 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

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

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Genesis 21:32-34

"So they made a covenant at Beersheba: and Abimelech rose up, and Phicol the captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the Philistines. And Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and called there on the name of Jehovah, the Everlasting God. And Abraham sojourned in the land of the Philistines many days.""And they returned into the land of the Philistines ..." Some would make this deny that Beersheba was also in the land of the Philistines, but the very fact of Abimelech's... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Genesis 21:22-34

13. Abimelech’s treaty with Abraham 21:22-34"This scene occurs at the same time as the events of Scene 6 [Genesis 21:1-21] but focuses on different characters and tensions. This second conflict with Abimelech creates a bracket around the Isaac birth narrative. Whereas the first conflict, Scene 5 (Genesis 20:1-18), concerned jeopardy of the seed, the second conflict, Scene 7 (Genesis 21:22-34), concerns jeopardy of the land (i.e., well rights)." [Note: Waltke, Genesis, p. 298.] God’s blessing of... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 21:1-34

Birth of Isaac. Dismissal of Hagar and Ishmael. Covenant between Abraham and Abimelech8. Weaned] in his second or third year, as is usual among Orientals.9. Ishmael had no doubt been regarded as Abraham’s heir until the birth of Isaac. The change in his prospects may account for his conduct, which St. Paul uses to illustrate the persecution of the Christians by the Jews (Galatians 4:29). Proud of their natural descent as children of Abraham, the Jews scorned the idea that God could regard... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Genesis 21:1-34

Sarah the Steadfast Genesis 21:0 What is that quality in the mind of Sarah which lies below all other qualities, and which subsists when others change? It may be expressed in one word steadfastness. The abiding secret of this woman's greatness is her own abidingness. I. Sarah in the romantic stage. When the scene first opens in the married life of Abraham and Sarah, they are having an experience which their romance had not bargained for the poverty of the land. For a married pair I can imagine... read more

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