Genesis 21:27-30

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 21:27

And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech ,.... In gratitude for former favours he had received from him, in token of the friendship that subsisted between them, and for the confirmation of it; and to show that he was fully satisfied with Abimelech's answer to his complaint, as well as willing to enter into covenant by sacrifice, when such creatures were divided, and the covenanters passed between the pieces, for so it follows: and both of them made a covenant ; or,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 21:28

And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves. Separate from the sheep and oxen he gave to Abimelech, and from those that were used in making the covenant. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 21:29

And Abimelech said unto Abraham ,.... Observing what he had done, and not knowing the design of it: what mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves ? he understood what the sheep and oxen were for, that they were presents to him, at least some of them, and the rest were for the solemnizing and ratifying the covenant between them; but what these were for he could not devise. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 21:30

And he said ,.... That is, Abraham replied to Abimelech: for these seven ewe lambs shall thou take of my hand ; as a present from him, to be retained as his own: that they may be a witness to me that I have digged this well : these were to be a testimony that the well that had been taken away from Abraham was one that he had dug, and was his property, and which Abimelech acknowledged by his acceptance of these seven lambs; and very probably Abraham received a note from the hand of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 21:27

Took sheep and oxen - Some think that these were the sacrifices which were offered on the occasion, and which Abraham furnished at his own cost, and, in order to do Abimelech the greater honor, gave them to him to offer before the Lord. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 21:28

Seven ewe lambs - These were either given as a present, or they were intended as the price of the well; and being accepted by Abimelech, they served as a witness that he had acknowledged Abraham's right to the well in question. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 21:27

Verse 27 27.And Abraham took sheep. Hence it appears that the covenant made, was not such as is usually entered into between equals: for Abraham considers his own position, and in token of subjection, offers a gift, from his flocks, to king Gerar; for, what the Latins call paying tax or tribute, and what we call doing homage, the Hebrews call offering gifts. (443) And truly Abraham does not wait till something is forcibly, and with authority, extorted from him by the king; but, by a voluntary... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 21:28

Verse 28 28.And Abraham set seven ewe-lambs of the flock by themselves. Moses recites another chief point of the covenant; namely, that Abraham made express provision for himself respecting the well, that he should have free use of its water. And he placed in the midst seven lambs, that the king being presented with the honorary gift, might approve and ratify the digging of the well. For the inhabitants might provoke a controversy, on the ground that it was not lawful for a private man, and a... 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

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