Genesis 21:23 Now, therefore, swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or descendants. Show to me and to the country in which you reside the same kindness that I have shown to you."

◄ Genesis 21:23 ►

New International Version
Now swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. Show to me and the country where you now reside as a foreigner the same kindness I have shown to you.”

New Living Translation
“Swear to me in God’s name that you will never deceive me, my children, or any of my descendants. I have been loyal to you, so now swear that you will be loyal to me and to this country where you are living as a foreigner.”

English Standard Version
Now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my descendants or with my posterity, but as I have dealt kindly with you, so you will deal with me and with the land where you have sojourned.”

Berean Standard Bible
Now, therefore, swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or descendants. Show to me and to the country in which you reside the same kindness that I have shown to you.”

King James Bible
Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son: but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned.

New King James Version
Now therefore, swear to me by God that you will not deal falsely with me, with my offspring, or with my posterity; but that according to the kindness that I have done to you, you will do to me and to the land in which you have dwelt.”

New American Standard Bible
so now, swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my offspring or with my descendants, but according to the kindness that I have shown to you, you shall show to me and to the land in which you have resided.”

NASB 1995
now therefore, swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my offspring or with my posterity, but according to the kindness that I have shown to you, you shall show to me and to the land in which you have sojourned.”

NASB 1977
now therefore, swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me, or with my offspring, or with my posterity; but according to the kindness that I have shown to you, you shall show to me, and to the land in which you have sojourned.”

Legacy Standard Bible
so now, swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my offspring or with my posterity, but according to the lovingkindness that I have shown you, you shall show me and the land in which you have sojourned.”

Amplified Bible
so now, swear to me here by God that you will not deal unfairly with me [by breaking any agreements we have] or with my son or with my descendants, but as I have treated you with kindness, you shall do the same to me and to the land in which you have sojourned (temporarily lived).”

Christian Standard Bible
Swear to me by God here and now, that you will not break an agreement with me or with my children and descendants. As I have been loyal to you, so you will be loyal to me and to the country where you are a resident alien.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Swear to me by God here and now, that you will not break an agreement with me or with my children and descendants. As I have been loyal to you, so you will be loyal to me and to the country where you are a foreign resident.”

American Standard Version
now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son: but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned.

Contemporary English Version
Now I want you to promise in the name of God that you will always be loyal to me and my descendants, just as I have always been loyal to you in this land where you have lived as a foreigner."

English Revised Version
now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son: but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Now, swear an oath to me here in front of God that you will never cheat me, my children, or my descendants. Show me and the land where you've been living the same kindness that I have shown you."

Good News Translation
So make a vow here in the presence of God that you will not deceive me, my children, or my descendants. I have been loyal to you, so promise that you will also be loyal to me and to this country in which you are living."

International Standard Version
Therefore swear an oath here by God that you won't deal falsely with me, my sons, or my descendants. Just as I've dealt graciously with you, won't you do so with me and with the land in which you live as a foreigner?"

Majority Standard Bible
Now, therefore, swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or descendants. Show to me and to the country in which you reside the same kindness that I have shown to you.”

NET Bible
Now swear to me right here in God's name that you will not deceive me, my children, or my descendants. Show me, and the land where you are staying, the same loyalty that I have shown you."

New Heart English Bible
Now, therefore, swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son. But according to the kindness that I have done to you, you shall do to me, and to the land in which you have lived as a foreigner."

Webster's Bible Translation
Now therefore swear to me here by God, that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son: but according to the kindness that I have done to thee, thou shalt do to me, and to the land in which thou hast sojourned.

World English Bible
Now, therefore, swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son’s son. But according to the kindness that I have done to you, you shall do to me, and to the land in which you have lived as a foreigner.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and now, swear to me by God here: you do not lie to me, or to my continuator, or to my successor; according to the kindness which I have done with you—do with me, and with the land in which you have sojourned.”

Young's Literal Translation
and now, swear to me by God here: thou dost not lie to me, or to my continuator, or to my successor; according to the kindness which I have done with thee thou dost with me, and with the land in which thou hast sojourned.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And now swear to me in God, whether if thou shalt lie to me and to my progeny, and to my progenies; according to the kindness which I did to thee, thou shalt do to me, and to the land in which thou didst sojourn in it.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Swear therefore by God, that thou wilt not hurt me, nor my posterity, nor my stock: but according to the kindness that I have done to thee, thou shalt do to me, and to the land wherein thou hast lived a stranger.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, swear by God that you will do no harm to me, and to my posterity, and to my stock. But according to the mercy that I have done to you, you will do to me and to the land, to which you have turned as a newcomer.”

New American Bible
So now, swear to me by God at this place that you will not deal falsely with me or with my progeny and posterity, but will act as loyally toward me and the land in which you reside as I have acted toward you.”

New Revised Standard Version
now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my offspring or with my posterity, but as I have dealt loyally with you, you will deal with me and with the land where you have resided as an alien.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Now therefore swear to me by God in this place that you will never deal falsely with me, nor with my family, nor with my descendants; but according to the kindness that I have done to you, you shall do to me and to the land wherein you have sojourned.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And now swear to me by God here, that you will not lie to me and to my family and to my descendants, and according to the favor that I have done with you, do with me and with the land in which you dwell.”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son; but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Now therefore swear to me by God that thou wilt not injure me, nor my seed, nor my name, but according to the righteousness which I have performed with thee thou shalt deal with me, and with the land in which thou hast sojourned.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Covenant at Beersheba
22At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham, “God is with you in all that you do. 23Now, therefore, swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or descendants. Show to me and to the country in which you reside the same kindness that I have shown to you.” 24And Abraham replied, “I swear it.”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Genesis 26:28-31
“We can plainly see that the LORD has been with you,” they replied. “We recommend that there should now be an oath between us and you. Let us make a covenant with you / that you will not harm us, just as we have not harmed you but have done only good to you, sending you on your way in peace. And now you are blessed by the LORD.” / So Isaac prepared a feast for them, and they ate and drank. ...

Joshua 2:12-14
Now therefore, please swear to me by the LORD that you will indeed show kindness to my family, because I showed kindness to you. Give me a sure sign / that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and that you will deliver us from death.” / “Our lives for your lives!” the men agreed. “If you do not report our mission, we will show you kindness and faithfulness when the LORD gives us the land.”

1 Samuel 20:14-17
And as long as I live, treat me with the LORD’s loving devotion, that I may not die, / and do not ever cut off your loving devotion from my household—not even when the LORD cuts off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth.” / So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the LORD hold David’s enemies accountable.” ...

1 Samuel 24:21-22
So now, swear to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s house.” / So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

2 Samuel 21:7
Now the king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the LORD between David and Jonathan son of Saul.

2 Kings 11:4
Then in the seventh year, Jehoiada sent for the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, and the guards, and had them brought into the house of the LORD. There he made a covenant with them and put them under oath. He showed them the king’s son

Psalm 15:4
who despises the vile but honors those who fear the LORD, who does not revise a costly oath,

Psalm 89:34
I will not violate My covenant or alter the utterance of My lips.

Proverbs 11:21
Be assured that the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will escape.

Isaiah 33:15-16
He who walks righteously and speaks with sincerity, who refuses gain from extortion, whose hand never takes a bribe, who stops his ears against murderous plots and shuts his eyes tightly against evil— / he will dwell on the heights; the mountain fortress will be his refuge; his food will be provided and his water assured.

Jeremiah 42:5
Then they said to Jeremiah, “May the LORD be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act upon every word that the LORD your God sends you to tell us.

Matthew 5:37
Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Anything more comes from the evil one.

Matthew 26:72-74
And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man!” / After a little while, those standing nearby came up to Peter. “Surely you are one of them,” they said, “for your accent gives you away.” / At that he began to curse and swear to them, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed.

Luke 1:72-73
to show mercy to our fathers and to remember His holy covenant, / the oath He swore to our father Abraham, to grant us

John 8:58
“Truly, truly, I tell you,” Jesus declared, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

Treasury of Scripture

Now therefore swear to me here by God that you will not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son: but according to the kindness that I have done to you, you shall do to me, and to the land wherein you have sojourned.

swear.

Genesis 14:22,23
And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, …

Genesis 24:3
And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell:

Genesis 26:28
And they said, We saw certainly that the LORD was with thee: and we said, Let there be now an oath betwixt us, even betwixt us and thee, and let us make a covenant with thee;

Genesis 20:14
And Abimelech took sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and womenservants, and gave them unto Abraham, and restored him Sarah his wife.

Jump to Previous

Alien Children Country Deal Dealt Deceitfully Descendants False. Falsely Foreigner Good Kindness Loyally Oath Offspring Posterity Show Shown Sojourned Son's Swear Wherein Wilt

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Alien Children Country Deal Dealt Deceitfully Descendants False. Falsely Foreigner Good Kindness Loyally Oath Offspring Posterity Show Shown Sojourned Son's Swear Wherein Wilt

Genesis 21

1. Isaac is born, and circumcised.
6. Sarah's joy.
8. Isaac is weaned.
9. Hagar and Ishmael sent away.
15. Hagar in distress.
17. The angel relieves and comforts her.
23. Abimelech's covenant with Abraham at Beersheba.

Berean Study Bible

Now, therefore, swear to me here before God
This phrase begins with a call for a solemn oath, invoking the presence of God as a witness. The Hebrew word for "swear" is "שָׁבַע" (shaba), which implies making a binding promise. In ancient Near Eastern culture, oaths were serious commitments, often sealed in the presence of a deity to ensure accountability. The invocation "before God" underscores the gravity of the promise, recognizing God's omnipresence and ultimate authority as a witness to human covenants.

that you will not deal falsely with me
The phrase "deal falsely" translates from the Hebrew "תִּשְׁקֹר" (tishkor), meaning to deceive or act unfaithfully. This reflects a concern for integrity and honesty in relationships. In the context of Abraham's dealings with Abimelech, it highlights the importance of trust and truthfulness, foundational values in Biblical ethics. The historical backdrop involves previous interactions where deception had occurred, emphasizing the need for a renewed commitment to honesty.

or my children or my descendants
This phrase extends the request for honesty beyond the immediate parties to future generations. The Hebrew words "בְּנִי" (beni) for "children" and "נִין" (nin) for "descendants" indicate a long-term perspective, emphasizing the enduring nature of the covenant. In the Biblical narrative, this reflects the patriarchal concern for legacy and the continuity of relationships across generations, a theme prevalent throughout the Scriptures.

Show to me and the land where you reside as a foreigner
Here, the phrase "the land where you reside as a foreigner" uses the Hebrew "גָּר" (ger), meaning sojourner or temporary resident. This acknowledges Abraham's status as a non-native in the land, highlighting themes of hospitality and mutual respect. The request for kindness in this context is a call for equitable treatment and recognition of shared humanity, resonating with the Biblical principle of loving the stranger (Leviticus 19:34).

the same kindness that I have shown to you
The word "kindness" is translated from the Hebrew "חֶסֶד" (chesed), a rich term denoting steadfast love, mercy, and loyalty. It is a central concept in the Old Testament, often used to describe God's covenantal love for His people. In this context, it reflects the reciprocal nature of human relationships, where past acts of goodwill form the basis for future expectations. This appeal to mutual kindness underscores the Biblical ideal of living in harmony and faithfulness with others, mirroring God's own faithfulness to His covenant.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(23) Nor with my son, nor with my son's son.--The words are not those commonly used for son and grandson, but a Hebrew phrase signifying my kith and kin. They might be translated, "nor with mine offshoot nor mine offspring." The words occur again in the same proverbial way in Job 18:19; Isaiah 14:22.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 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). 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).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Now, therefore,
וְעַתָּ֗ה (wə·‘at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 6258: At this time

swear
הִשָּׁ֨בְעָה (hiš·šā·ḇə·‘āh)
Verb - Nifal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 7650: To seven oneself, swear

to me
לִּ֤י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

here
הֵ֔נָּה (hên·nāh)
Adverb
Strong's 2008: Hither, thither

before God
בֵֽאלֹהִים֙ (ḇê·lō·hîm)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

that you will not
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

deal falsely
תִּשְׁקֹ֣ר (tiš·qōr)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 8266: To do or deal falsely

with me
לִ֔י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

or my children
וּלְנִינִ֖י (ū·lə·nî·nî)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5209: Offspring, posterity

or descendants.
וּלְנֶכְדִּ֑י (ū·lə·neḵ·dî)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 5220: Progeny, posterity

Show
תַּעֲשֶׂ֣ה (ta·‘ă·śeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

to me
עִמָּדִ֔י (‘im·mā·ḏî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5978: Against, by, from, me, mine, of, that I take, unto,

and
וְעִם־ (wə·‘im-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

to the country
הָאָ֖רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

in which
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

you reside
גַּ֥רְתָּה (gar·tāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1481: To turn aside from the road, sojourn, to shrink, fear, to gather for, hostility

the same kindness
כַּחֶ֜סֶד (ka·ḥe·seḏ)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2617: Kindness, piety, reproof, beauty

that
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

I have shown
עָשִׂ֤יתִי (‘ā·śî·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

to you.”
עִמְּךָ֙ (‘im·mə·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

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OT Law: Genesis 21:23 Now therefore swear to me here (Gen. Ge Gn)