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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 21:33-34

Observe, 1. Abraham, having got into a good neighbourhood, knew when he was well off, and continued a great while there. There he planted a grove for a shade to his tent, or perhaps an orchard of fruit-trees; and there, though we cannot say he settled, for God would have him, while he lived, to be a stranger and a pilgrim, yet he sojourned many days, as many as would consist with his character, as Abraham the Hebrew, or passenger. 2. There he made, not only a constant practice, but an open... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 21:33

And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba ,.... The Jewish writers F23 In T. Bab. Sotah, fol. 10. 1. are divided about the use of this grove, as Jarchi relates; one says it was for a paradise or orchard, to produce fruits out of it for travellers and for entertainment; another says it was for an inn to entertain strangers in; it rather was for a shade, to shelter from the sun in those sultry and hot countries; and perhaps for a religious use, and to be an oratory, as the following... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 21:34

And Abraham sojourned in the Philistines' land many days. Even many years, days being sometimes put for years; having entered into covenant with Abimelech, the king of the country, and settled a good correspondence with him, and having his friendship and good will, which commanded respect from his subjects, Abraham sojourned very quietly and comfortably for many years, chiefly at Beersheba; the Jewish writers say F1 Jarchi & Bereshit Rabba, sect. 54. fol. 48. 4. he sojourned here... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 21:33

Abraham planted a grove - The original word אשל eshel has been variously translated a grove, a plantation, an orchard, a cultivated field, and an oak. From this word, says Mr. Parkhurst, may be derived the name of the famous asylum, opened by Romulus between two groves of oaks at Rome; ( μεθοριον δυοιν δρυμως , Dionys. Hal., lib. ii. c. 16): and as Abraham, Genesis 21:33 , agreeably, no doubt, to the institutes of the patriarchal religion, planted an oak in Beer-sheba, and called on... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 21:33

Verse 33 33.And Abraham planted a grove. It hence appears that more rest was granted to Abraham, after the covenant was entered into, than he had hitherto enjoyed; for now he begins to plant trees, which is a sign of a tranquil and fixed habitation; for we never before read that he planted a single shrub. Wherefore, we see how far his condition was improved because he was permitted to lead (as I may say) a settled life. The assertion, that he called on the name of the Lord, I thus interpret; he... 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 21:33

And Abraham planted —as a sign of his peaceful occupation of the soil (Calvin); as a memorial of the transaction about the well ('Speaker's Commentary'); or simply as a shade for his tent (Rosenmüller); scarcely as an oratory (Bush, Kalisch)— a grove —the אֵשֶׁל —wood, plantation (Targum, Vulgate, Samaritan, Kimchi); a field, ἄρουραν ( LXX .)—was probably the Tamarix Africanae (Gesenius, Furst, Delitzsch, Rosenmüller, Kalisch), which, besides being common in Egypt and Petraea, is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 21:34

And Abraham sojourned in the Philistines' land many days. The apparent contradiction between the statement of this verse and that of Genesis 21:32 may be removed by supposing either, HOMILETICS 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

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