Genesis 21:23 - Exposition

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 ). As a prince, Abimelech was afraid of Abraham's growing power; as a good man, he insures the safety of himself and his dominions not by resorting to war, but by forming an amicable treaty with his neighbor— nor with my son, nor with my son's son :—σπέρμα καὶ ὅνομα ( LXX .); posteri et stirps (Vulgate); offspring and progeny (Kalisch); kith and kin (Murphy)— but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee ( vide Genesis 20:15 ), thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned— the land being put for the people (cf. Numbers 14:13 ).