Genesis 21:29

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

and Abimelech asked him, “Why have you set apart these seven ewe lambs?”

American Standard Version (1901)

And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves?

Bible in Basic English

Then Abimelech said, What are these seven lambs which you have put on one side?

Douay-Rheims 1899

And Abimelech said to him: What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set apart?

Free Bible Version

“What are these seven female lambs for that you've separated from the flock?” Abimelech asked.

Geneva Bible 1599

Then Abimelech said vnto Abraham, What meane these seuen lambes, which thou hast set by themselues?

King James (Authorized) Version

And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves?

One Unity Resource Bible

Abimelech [My father king] said to Abraham [Father of a multitude], “What do these seven ewe lambs which you have set by themselves mean?”

Plain English Version

Abimelek asked him, “Why did you put these 7 sheep to one side? What do you mean by that?”

Translation for Translators

Abimelech asked Abraham, “What are these seven female lambs that you have separated from the rest of your flock?”

Unlocked Literal Bible

Abimelech said to Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven female lambs that you have set by themselves?”

Noah Webster Bible

And Abimelech said to Abraham, What mean these seven ewe-lambs, which thou hast set by themselves?

World English Bible

Abimelech said to Abraham, “What do these seven ewe lambs, which you have set by themselves, mean?”

Young's Literal Translation

And Abimelech saith unto Abraham, 'What [are] they — these seven lambs which thou hast set by themselves?'

Context

The Covenant at Beersheba

²⁸Abraham separated seven ewe lambs from the flock,²⁹and Abimelech asked him, “Why have you set apart these seven ewe lambs?”

Summary

In this verse, Abraham and Abimelek make a covenant by exchanging seven ewe lambs as a witness of their agreement. This act symbolizes peace, trust, and goodwill between the two parties, marking the end of their previous conflicts. The exchange of gifts was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern cultures to solidify alliances and ensure peaceful relationships. Through this covenant, Abraham and Abimelek demonstrate a commitment to harmony and mutual respect, setting an example of reconciliation and diplomacy.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba,.... Which took its name from the oath annexed to the covenant there made; and which is observed for the sake of what follows, to show that when they finished their agreement, and the ceremony of it: then Abimelech rose up, and Phichol, the chief captain of his host; from the place where they had been conversing and covenanting with Abraham: and they returned into the land of the Philistines; from Beersheba, which was in the extreme border of it, unto Gerar, which lay in the midst of it, and was the capital city in it; otherwise both places were in Palestine, or the land of the Philistines, a people that came out of Egypt originally, and settled here: in Jerom's (u) time Beersheba was a large village, twenty miles from Hebron to the south. (u) De loc. Heb. fol. 89. F.

Genesis 21:29

The Covenant at Beersheba

²⁸Abraham separated seven ewe lambs from the flock,²⁹and Abimelech asked him, “Why have you set apart these seven ewe lambs?”

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

and Abimelech asked him, “Why have you set apart these seven ewe lambs?”

American Standard Version (1901)

And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves?

Bible in Basic English

Then Abimelech said, What are these seven lambs which you have put on one side?

Douay-Rheims 1899

And Abimelech said to him: What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set apart?

Free Bible Version

“What are these seven female lambs for that you've separated from the flock?” Abimelech asked.

Geneva Bible 1599

Then Abimelech said vnto Abraham, What meane these seuen lambes, which thou hast set by themselues?

King James (Authorized) Version

And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves?

One Unity Resource Bible

Abimelech [My father king] said to Abraham [Father of a multitude], “What do these seven ewe lambs which you have set by themselves mean?”

Plain English Version

Abimelek asked him, “Why did you put these 7 sheep to one side? What do you mean by that?”

Translation for Translators

Abimelech asked Abraham, “What are these seven female lambs that you have separated from the rest of your flock?”

Unlocked Literal Bible

Abimelech said to Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven female lambs that you have set by themselves?”

Noah Webster Bible

And Abimelech said to Abraham, What mean these seven ewe-lambs, which thou hast set by themselves?

World English Bible

Abimelech said to Abraham, “What do these seven ewe lambs, which you have set by themselves, mean?”

Young's Literal Translation

And Abimelech saith unto Abraham, 'What [are] they — these seven lambs which thou hast set by themselves?'