Topical Bible: Covenant: Abraham and Abimelech

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The covenant between Abraham and Abimelech is a significant event recorded in the Book of Genesis, highlighting themes of peace, mutual respect, and divine favor. This covenant is found in Genesis 21:22-34, where Abraham, the patriarch chosen by God, and Abimelech, the king of Gerar, establish a formal agreement to ensure peaceful coexistence and mutual respect.

Context and Background

Abraham, originally from Ur of the Chaldeans, was called by God to journey to the land of Canaan, where he was promised to become the father of a great nation (Genesis 12:1-3). Throughout his journey, Abraham experienced various trials and blessings, including his interactions with foreign kings. Abimelech, the king of Gerar, had previously encountered Abraham when he took Sarah, Abraham's wife, into his palace, believing her to be Abraham's sister (Genesis 20:1-18). God intervened, warning Abimelech in a dream, and Sarah was returned to Abraham, leading to a peaceful resolution.

The Covenant at Beersheba

The covenant between Abraham and Abimelech occurs after the birth of Isaac, Abraham's son with Sarah, and is set in the region of Beersheba. Genesis 21:22-23 states, "At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham, 'God is with you in all that you do. Now, therefore, 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 land where you reside as a foreigner the same kindness that I have shown to you.'"

Recognizing God's evident blessing upon Abraham, Abimelech seeks a formal agreement to ensure that Abraham will not act deceitfully or harmfully towards him or his descendants. Abraham agrees to this request, acknowledging the need for peaceful relations and mutual respect.

The Dispute Over the Well

A significant aspect of the covenant involves a dispute over a well of water, which Abraham had dug but was seized by Abimelech's servants. Genesis 21:25-26 records, "But when Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well that Abimelech’s servants had seized, Abimelech replied, 'I do not know who has done this. You did not tell me, and I have not heard about it until today.'"

To resolve the dispute, Abraham offers sheep and cattle to Abimelech, and the two men make a covenant. Abraham sets apart seven ewe lambs as a witness that he had dug the well, and Abimelech accepts them, signifying his acknowledgment of Abraham's rights to the well. This act of giving and receiving serves as a testament to their agreement and the peaceful resolution of their conflict.

The Significance of Beersheba

The place where this covenant is made is named Beersheba, which means "Well of the Oath" or "Well of Seven," reflecting both the oath taken and the seven ewe lambs given. Genesis 21:31 states, "So that place was called Beersheba, because it was there that the two of them swore an oath."

Beersheba becomes a significant location in biblical history, often associated with God's promises and the patriarchs' faithfulness. Abraham plants a tamarisk tree there and calls on the name of the LORD, the Eternal God, signifying his continued devotion and recognition of God's everlasting covenant with him.

Theological Implications

The covenant between Abraham and Abimelech underscores the importance of integrity, peaceful relations, and the recognition of God's providence. It highlights the role of divine favor in the lives of God's chosen people and the necessity of living in harmony with others, even those outside the covenant community. This event also foreshadows the broader biblical theme of God's covenantal faithfulness and the establishment of peace among nations through His chosen representatives.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 21:22-32
And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol the chief captain of his host spoke to Abraham, saying, God is with you in all that you do:
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Library

Chapter xxi
... An oath-bound covenant with Abraham is what Abimelech desires: "swear thou wilt
not deal falsely with me." The oath is to include future generations, n??n?? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxi.htm

Here Followeth the Life of Abraham
... And Abraham said, I shall swear ... Abimelech answered: I know not who hath done this
thing, and ... And then after this they made covenant together, and promised each ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here followeth the life of.htm

Genesis
... came to him the promise of a son, confirmed by a covenant (xv.), the ... is connected,
eg with a treaty made, in one case, between Abraham and Abimelech, xxi.31 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/genesis.htm

From Abraham to Egypt.
... God often repeats his covenant and promises with Abraham ... respected by such heathen
rulers as Pharaoh and Abimelech. ... absent as in the case of Abraham who bought ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter iv from abraham to.htm

Praying Men at a Premium
... with thee in all that thou doest." This was the clear conviction of those who would
fain make a covenant with Abraham ... To Abimelech God said, "Abraham is a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the weapon of prayer/vi praying men at a.htm

Abraham
... Lot his nephew, Abimelech, Aner, Eshcol, Mamre, and others ... has not promised me, as
he promised Abraham, to make ... He has promised to keep his covenant and mercy ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon v abraham.htm

Chapter xx
... up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech on account of ... Abraham does what God had
ascribed to him as a ... of the term "Yahweh" here: the faithful covenant God in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xx.htm

The Pioneer's Influence Upon a Nation's Ideals.
... is told not of Abraham but of Isaac, whose character it fits far more consistently.
Similarly there are three accounts of the covenant with Abimelech (Gen.21:22 ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study v the pioneers influence.htm

Introduction
... 11. Birth of Isaac and Expulsion of Ishmael (21:1-21).12. Abraham's Covenant with
Abimelech at Beersheba (21:22-34).13. The Sacrifice of Isaac (22:1-19). 14. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/introduction.htm

"Thou Art Now the Blessed of the Lord. "
... be honoured, even as Isaac was by the very Abimelech who had ... testimony to him in
promises founded upon the covenant which he had made with Abraham his father ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/thou art now the blessed.htm