Genesis 21:30
New International Version
He replied, “Accept these seven lambs from my hand as a witness that I dug this well.”

New Living Translation
Abraham replied, “Please accept these seven lambs to show your agreement that I dug this well.”

English Standard Version
He said, “These seven ewe lambs you will take from my hand, that this may be a witness for me that I dug this well.”

Berean Standard Bible
He replied, “You are to accept the seven ewe lambs from my hand as my witness that I dug this well.”

King James Bible
And he said, For these seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well.

New King James Version
And he said, “You will take these seven ewe lambs from my hand, that they may be my witness that I have dug this well.”

New American Standard Bible
He said, “You shall take these seven ewe lambs from my hand so that it may be a witness for me, that I dug this well.”

NASB 1995
He said, “You shall take these seven ewe lambs from my hand so that it may be a witness to me, that I dug this well.”

NASB 1977
And he said, “You shall take these seven ewe lambs from my hand in order that it may be a witness to me, that I dug this well.”

Legacy Standard Bible
He said, “You shall take these seven ewe lambs from my hand so that it may be a witness to me, that I dug this well.”

Amplified Bible
Abraham said, “You are to accept these seven ewe lambs from me as a witness for me, that I dug this well.”

Christian Standard Bible
He replied, “You are to accept the seven ewe lambs from me so that this act will serve as my witness that I dug this well.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He replied, “You are to accept the seven ewe lambs from my hand so that this act will serve as my witness that I dug this well.”

American Standard Version
And he said, These seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that it may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well.

Contemporary English Version
Abraham replied, "I want you to accept these seven lambs as proof that I dug this well."

English Revised Version
And he said, These seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that it may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Abraham answered, "Accept these lambs from me so that they may be proof that I dug this well."

Good News Translation
Abraham answered, "Accept these seven lambs. By doing this, you admit that I am the one who dug this well."

International Standard Version
He replied, "You are to accept from me these seven ewe lambs as a witness that I have dug this well."

Majority Standard Bible
He replied, ?You are to accept the seven ewe lambs from my hand as my witness that I dug this well.?

NET Bible
He replied, "You must take these seven ewe lambs from my hand as legal proof that I dug this well."

New Heart English Bible
He said, "You shall take these seven ewe lambs from my hand, that it may be a witness to me, that I have dug this well."

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said, For these seven ewe-lambs shalt thou take from my hand, that they may be a witness to me, that I have digged this well.

World English Bible
He said, “You shall take these seven ewe lambs from my hand, that it may be a witness to me, that I have dug this well.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he says, “For—the seven lambs you accept from my hand, so that it becomes a witness for me that I have dug this well”;

Young's Literal Translation
And he saith, 'For -- the seven lambs thou dost accept from my hand, so that it becometh a witness for me that I have digged this well;'

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say, For the seven ewe lambs thou shalt take from my hand, in order to be to me for a testimony that I dug this well.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But he said: Thou shalt take seven ewe lambs at my hand: that they may be a testimony for me, that I dug this well.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But he said, “You will receive seven female lambs from my hand, so that they may be a testimony for me, that I dug this well.”

New American Bible
Abraham answered, “The seven ewe lambs you shall accept from me that you may be my witness that I dug this well.”

New Revised Standard Version
He said, “These seven ewe lambs you shall accept from my hand, in order that you may be a witness for me that I dug this well.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he said, For these seven ewe lambs you shall take of my hands that they may be a witness for me that I have digged this well.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said, “Take from my hands the seven ewes so that it may be a testimony to me that I have dug this well.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he said: 'Verily, these seven ewe-lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that it may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Abraam said, Thou shalt receive the seven ewe-lambs of me, that they may be for me as a witness, that I dug this well.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Covenant at Beersheba
29and Abimelech asked him, “Why have you set apart these seven ewe lambs?” 30He replied, “You are to accept the seven ewe lambs from my hand as my witness that I dug this well.” 31So that place was called Beersheba, because it was there that the two of them swore an oath.…

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. ...

Genesis 31:44-54
Come now, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it serve as a witness between you and me.” / So Jacob picked out a stone and set it up as a pillar, / and he said to his relatives, “Gather some stones.” So they took stones and made a mound, and there by the mound they ate. ...

Joshua 24:27
And Joshua said to all the people, “You see this stone. It will be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words the LORD has spoken to us, and it will be a witness against you if you ever deny your God.”

Exodus 24:8
So Moses took the blood, splattered it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.”

1 Samuel 18:3-4
Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. / And Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt.

1 Samuel 20:16-17
So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the LORD hold David’s enemies accountable.” / And Jonathan had David reaffirm his vow out of love for him, for Jonathan loved David as he loved himself.

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 50:5
“Gather to Me My saints, who made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.”

Isaiah 55:3
Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David.

Jeremiah 34:18-19
And those who have transgressed My covenant and have not fulfilled the terms of the covenant they made before Me, I will treat like the calf they cut in two in order to pass between its pieces. / The officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the court officials, the priests, and all the people of the land who passed between the pieces of the calf,

Ezekiel 17:13-19
He took a member of the royal family and made a covenant with him, putting him under oath. Then he carried away the leading men of the land, / so that the kingdom would be brought low, unable to lift itself up, surviving only by keeping his covenant. / But this king rebelled against Babylon by sending his envoys to Egypt to ask for horses and a large army. Will he flourish? Will the one who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and yet escape?’ ...

Matthew 26:28
This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Luke 22:20
In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.

John 6:53-56
So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of Man, you have no life in you. / Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. / For My flesh is real food, and My blood is real drink. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And he said, For these seven ewe lambs shall you take of my hand, that they may be a witness to me, that I have dig this well.

a witness.

Genesis 31:44-48,52
Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee…

Joshua 22:27,28
But that it may be a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us, that we might do the service of the LORD before him with our burnt offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no part in the LORD…

Joshua 24:27
And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God.

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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.














He replied
This phrase indicates a response, suggesting a dialogue or negotiation. In the context of Genesis 21, Abraham is speaking to Abimelech, the king of Gerar. This interaction follows a dispute over a well, highlighting the importance of water rights in the ancient Near East, a region where water was a precious and often contested resource.

You are to accept the seven ewe lambs from my hand
The offering of seven ewe lambs serves as a symbolic gesture of covenant and peace. The number seven often represents completeness or perfection in biblical texts, seen in the creation narrative and other covenantal contexts. Ewe lambs, being valuable livestock, signify a significant offering, underscoring Abraham's sincerity and the importance of the well. This act of giving also reflects the cultural practices of gift-giving to seal agreements or treaties.

as my witness
The use of the term "witness" here is legal and covenantal. In ancient times, physical objects or actions often served as witnesses to agreements, much like a signed contract today. The seven ewe lambs are a tangible testimony to the agreement between Abraham and Abimelech, ensuring that future generations would recognize the legitimacy of Abraham's claim to the well.

that I dug this well
Wells were vital for survival and prosperity, especially in arid regions. The act of digging a well was labor-intensive and signified ownership and rights to the water. This phrase emphasizes Abraham's initiative and effort in securing resources for his family and flocks. The well at Beersheba becomes a significant location in biblical history, later associated with the patriarchs and serving as a boundary marker in Israel's territory. The well also symbolizes God's provision and faithfulness, as seen in other biblical narratives where wells are places of divine encounter and blessing.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Abraham
The patriarch of the Israelites, who is making a covenant with Abimelech in this passage. He is a central figure in Genesis, known for his faith and obedience to God.

2. Abimelech
The king of Gerar, who enters into a covenant with Abraham. He previously interacted with Abraham in Genesis 20, where he took Sarah into his household, believing she was Abraham's sister.

3. Beersheba
The location where this covenant is made. It becomes a significant place in the biblical account, often associated with oaths and covenants.

4. The Well
A source of water that Abraham claims to have dug, which becomes a point of contention and is central to the covenant between him and Abimelech.

5. Seven Ewe Lambs
These are given by Abraham to Abimelech as a witness to the covenant, symbolizing peace and agreement.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Covenants
Covenants are foundational in the biblical account, representing commitments and promises. Abraham's covenant with Abimelech shows the importance of clear agreements and peaceful resolutions.

Symbolism of the Seven Ewe Lambs
The number seven often symbolizes completeness or perfection in the Bible. Abraham's offering of seven ewe lambs signifies a complete and sincere commitment to the covenant.

God's Provision and Faithfulness
The well represents God's provision for Abraham and his descendants. Trusting in God's provision is a recurring theme in the life of Abraham.

Peacemaking and Conflict Resolution
Abraham's approach to resolving the dispute over the well is a model for handling conflicts with integrity and generosity.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He replied,
וַיֹּ֕אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“You are to accept
תִּקַּ֖ח (tiq·qaḥ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

the seven
שֶׁ֣בַע (še·ḇa‘)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 7651: Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number

ewe lambs
כְּבָשֹׂ֔ת (kə·ḇā·śōṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 3535: Ewe lamb

from my hand
מִיָּדִ֑י (mî·yā·ḏî)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3027: A hand

as my witness
לְעֵדָ֔ה (lə·‘ê·ḏāh)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5713: Testimony, witness

that
כִּ֚י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I dug
חָפַ֖רְתִּי (ḥā·p̄ar·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2658: To pry into, to delve, to explore

this
הַזֹּֽאת׃ (haz·zōṯ)
Article | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

well.”
הַבְּאֵ֥ר (hab·bə·’êr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 875: A pit, a well


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OT Law: Genesis 21:30 He said You shall take these seven (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 21:29
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