Genesis 21:32

Verse

After they had made the covenant at Beersheba, Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army got up and returned to the land of the Philistines.

American Standard Version (1901)

So they made a covenant at Beer-sheba: and Abimelech rose up, and Phicol the captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the Philistines.

Bible in Basic English

So they made an agreement at Beer-sheba, and Abimelech and Phicol, the captain of his army, went back to the land of the Philistines.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And they made a league for the well of oath.

Free Bible Version

After making the agreement at Beersheba, Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army left and went home to the country of the Philistines.

Geneva Bible 1599

Thus made they a couenant at Beer-sheba: afterward Abimelech and Phichol his chiefe captaine rose vp, and turned againe vnto the land of the Philistims.

King James (Authorized) Version

Thus they made a covenant at Beer-sheba: then Abimelech rose up, and Phichol the chief captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the Philistines.

One Unity Resource Bible

So they made a covenant at Be'er-Sheva [Well of Seven, Well of an Oath]. Abimelech [My father king] rose up with Phicol, the captain of his army, and they returned into the land of the Philistines [To roll in dust (As an insult)].

Plain English Version

After they made those promises, Abimelek and Ficol went back to their home, in Philistia country.

Translation for Translators

After they made the agreement at Beersheba, Abimelech and his army commander, Phicol, left, and returned to the land of the Philistine people-group.

Unlocked Literal Bible

They made a covenant at Beersheba, and then Abimelech and Phicol, the captain of his army, returned to the land of the Philistines.

Noah Webster Bible

Thus they made a covenant at Beer-sheba: Then Abimelech arose, and Phichol the chief captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the Philistines.

World English Bible

So they made a covenant at Beersheba. Abimelech rose up with Phicol, the captain of his army, and they returned into the land of the Philistines.

Young's Literal Translation

And they make a covenant in Beer-Sheba, and Abimelech riseth — Phichol also, head of his host — and they turn back unto the land of the Philistines;

Context

The Covenant at Beersheba

³¹So that place was called Beersheba, because it was there that the two of them swore an oath.³²After they had made the covenant at Beersheba, Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army got up and returned to the land of the Philistines.

Summary

In this verse, we see Abraham making a covenant with Abimelech, the king of Gerar, by giving him seven ewe lambs as a witness of their agreement. This act of sealing a covenant with a gift was a common practice in the ancient Near East to establish trust and peace between parties. It reflects the importance of keeping promises and maintaining good relationships in biblical times. The exchange of livestock symbolized the commitment to uphold the terms of the covenant, ensuring mutual respect and cooperation between Abraham and Abimelech.

Commentary

Tyndale

Tyndale Open Study Notes

21:32 The Philistines in Genesis are different from the Philistines of Judges through Kings. The earlier Philistines had Semitic names (e.g., Abimelech) and Canaanite culture. The later Philistines were apparently of Greek origin, with Greek customs and culture. They seem to have arrived in Canaan by sea from the Aegean area around 1200 BC, during the time of the judges. Probably the name of the later Philistines was used here simply to describe the region’s earlier inhabitants.