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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 21:29 and Abimelech asked him, "Why have you set apart these seven ewe lambs?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/21-29.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/01_Gen_21_29.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 21:29 - The Covenant at Beersheba" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="and Abimelech asked him, Why have you set apart these seven ewe lambs?" /><script type="application/javascript" 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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/21.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/21.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />and Abimelek asked Abraham, &#8220What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs you have set apart by themselves?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Abimelech asked, “Why have you set these seven apart from the others?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs that you have set apart?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />and Abimelech asked him, “Why have you set apart these seven ewe lambs?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What <i>mean</i> these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then Abimelech asked Abraham, “What <i>is the meaning of</i> these seven ewe lambs which you have set by themselves?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Abimelech said to Abraham, “What do these seven ewe lambs mean, which you have set by themselves?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Abimelech said to Abraham, &#8220What do these seven ewe lambs mean, which you have set by themselves?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What do these seven ewe lambs mean, which you have set by themselves?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What do these seven ewe lambs mean, which you have set by themselves?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />and Abimelech said to Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs which you have set apart?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Abimelech said to Abraham, “Why have you separated these seven ewe lambs? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Abimelech said to Abraham, &#8220Why have you separated these seven ewe lambs?&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />and Abimelech asked, "Why have you done this?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Abimelech asked him, "What is the meaning of these seven female lambs you have set apart?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />and Abimelech asked him, "Why did you do that?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />so Abimelech asked Abraham, "What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs that you have set aside?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />and Abimelech asked him, ?Why have you set apart these seven ewe lambs??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Abimelech asked Abraham, "What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs that you have set apart?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Abimelech said to Abraham, "What do these seven ewe lambs which you have set by themselves mean?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Abimelech said to Abraham, What mean these seven ewe-lambs, which thou hast set by themselves?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Abimelech said to Abraham, “What do these seven ewe lambs, which you have set by themselves, mean?” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Abimelech says to Abraham, “What [are] they—these seven lambs which you have set by themselves?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Abimelech saith unto Abraham, 'What are they -- these seven lambs which thou hast set by themselves?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Abimelech will say to Abraham, What here these seven ewe lambs which thou didst set alone?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Abimelech said to him: What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set apart? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Abimelech said to him, “What purpose have these seven female lambs, which you have caused to stand separately?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />and Abimelech asked him, “What is the purpose of these seven ewe lambs that you have set apart?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs that you have set apart?”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Abimeleck said to Abraham, What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs of the flock which you have set by themselves?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Abimelek said to Abraham, “What are these seven ewes of sheep that you have set by themselves?”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Abimelech said unto Abraham: 'What mean these seven ewe-lambs which thou hast set by themselves?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Abimelech said to Abraam, What are these seven ewe-lambs which thou hast set alone?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/21-29.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=4757" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/21.htm">The Covenant at Beersheba</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">28</span>Abraham separated seven ewe lambs from the flock, <span class="reftext">29</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/40.htm" title="40: ’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ (N-proper-ms) -- From 'ab and melek; father of king; Abimelek, the name of two Philistine kings and of two Israelites.">and Abimelech</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">asked</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/85.htm" title="85: ’aḇ·rā·hām (N-proper-ms) -- Contracted from 'ab and an unused root; father of a multitude; Abraham, the later name of Abram.">him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: māh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">“Why</a> <a href="/hebrew/2007.htm" title="2007: hên·nāh (Pro-3fp) -- They. Prolongation for hen; themselves."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5324.htm" title="5324: hiṣ·ṣaḇ·tā (V-Hifil-Perf-2ms) -- To take one's stand, stand. A prim root; to station, in various applications.">have you set apart</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: lə·ḇad·dā·nāh (Prep-l:: N-msc:: 3fp) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth."></a> <a href="/hebrew/428.htm" title="428: hā·’êl·leh (Art:: Pro-cp) -- These. Prolonged from 'el; these or those.">these</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7651.htm" title="7651: še·ḇa‘ (Number-fs) -- Or shibrah; from shaba'; a primitive cardinal number; seven; also seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number.">seven</a> <a href="/hebrew/3535.htm" title="3535: kə·ḇā·śōṯ (N-fp) -- Ewe lamb. Or kabsah; feminine of kebes; a ewe.">ewe lambs?”</a> </span><span class="reftext">30</span>He replied, “You are to accept the seven ewe lambs from my hand as my witness that I dug this well.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/26-15.htm">Genesis 26:15-18</a></span><br />So the Philistines took dirt and stopped up all the wells that his father’s servants had dug in the days of his father Abraham. / Then Abimelech said to Isaac, “Depart from us, for you are much too powerful for us.” / So Isaac left that place and encamped in the Valley of Gerar and settled there. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/31-44.htm">Genesis 31:44-54</a></span><br />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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/33-8.htm">Genesis 33:8-11</a></span><br />“What do you mean by sending this whole company to meet me?” asked Esau. “To find favor in your sight, my lord,” Jacob answered. / “I already have plenty, my brother,” Esau replied. “Keep what belongs to you.” / But Jacob insisted, “No, please! If I have found favor in your sight, then receive this gift from my hand. For indeed, I have seen your face, and it is like seeing the face of God, since you have received me favorably. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/34-20.htm">Genesis 34:20-24</a></span><br />So Hamor and his son Shechem went to the gate of their city and addressed the men of their city: / “These men are at peace with us. Let them live and trade in our land; indeed, it is large enough for them. Let us take their daughters in marriage and give our daughters to them. / But only on this condition will the men agree to dwell with us and be one people: if all our men are circumcised as they are. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/47-27.htm">Genesis 47:27</a></span><br />Now the Israelites settled in the land of Egypt, in the region of Goshen. They acquired property there and became fruitful and increased greatly in number.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/12-32.htm">Exodus 12:32</a></span><br />Take your flocks and herds as well, just as you have said, and depart! And bless me also.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/23-31.htm">Exodus 23:31</a></span><br />And I will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the desert to the Euphrates. For I will deliver the inhabitants into your hand, and you will drive them out before you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/21-43.htm">Joshua 21:43-45</a></span><br />Thus the LORD gave Israel all the land He had sworn to give their fathers, and they took possession of it and settled in it. / And the LORD gave them rest on every side, just as He had sworn to their fathers. None of their enemies could stand against them, for the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand. / Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to the house of Israel had failed; everything was fulfilled.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/7-12.htm">1 Samuel 7:12</a></span><br />Afterward, Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/24-24.htm">2 Samuel 24:24</a></span><br />“No,” replied the king, “I insist on paying a price, for I will not offer to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/21-2.htm">1 Kings 21:2</a></span><br />So Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard to use as a vegetable garden, since it is next to my palace. I will give you a better vineyard in its place—or if you prefer, I will give you its value in silver.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/3-4.htm">2 Kings 3:4</a></span><br />Now Mesha king of Moab was a sheep breeder, and he would render to the king of Israel a hundred thousand lambs and the wool of a hundred thousand rams.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/9-8.htm">Nehemiah 9:8</a></span><br />You found his heart faithful before You, and made a covenant with him to give the land of the Canaanites and Hittites, of the Amorites and Perizzites, of the Jebusites and Girgashites—to give it to his descendants. You have kept Your promise, because You are righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/105-9.htm">Psalm 105:9-11</a></span><br />the covenant He made with Abraham, and the oath He swore to Isaac. / He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant: / “I will give you the land of Canaan as the portion of your inheritance.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/51-2.htm">Isaiah 51:2</a></span><br />Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who gave you birth. When I called him, he was but one; then I blessed him and multiplied him.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Abimelech said to Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which you have set by themselves?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/33-8.htm">Genesis 33:8</a></b></br> And he said, What <i>meanest</i> thou by all this drove which I met? And he said, <i>These are</i> to find grace in the sight of my lord.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/12-26.htm">Exodus 12:26</a></b></br> And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, What mean ye by this service?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/15-14.htm">1 Samuel 15:14</a></b></br> And Samuel said, What <i>meaneth</i> then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/21-27.htm">Abimelech</a> <a href="/genesis/21-27.htm">Abim'elech</a> <a href="/genesis/21-28.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/genesis/21-28.htm">Apart</a> <a href="/genesis/21-28.htm">Ewe</a> <a href="/genesis/21-28.htm">Ewe-Lambs</a> <a href="/genesis/21-28.htm">Lambs</a> <a href="/1_john/2-7.htm">Mean</a> <a href="/revelation/22-10.htm">Meaning</a> <a href="/genesis/21-28.htm">Seven</a> <a href="/genesis/21-28.htm">Side</a> <a href="/genesis/21-28.htm">Themselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/21-32.htm">Abimelech</a> <a href="/genesis/21-32.htm">Abim'elech</a> <a href="/genesis/21-33.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/genesis/30-40.htm">Apart</a> <a href="/genesis/21-30.htm">Ewe</a> <a href="/genesis/21-30.htm">Ewe-Lambs</a> <a href="/genesis/21-30.htm">Lambs</a> <a href="/genesis/33-8.htm">Mean</a> <a href="/genesis/40-5.htm">Meaning</a> <a href="/genesis/21-30.htm">Seven</a> <a href="/genesis/28-13.htm">Side</a> <a href="/genesis/22-18.htm">Themselves</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/21-1.htm">Isaac is born, and circumcised.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/21-6.htm">Sarah's joy.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/21-8.htm">Isaac is weaned.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/21-9.htm">Hagar and Ishmael sent away.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/21-15.htm">Hagar in distress.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/21-17.htm">The angel relieves and comforts her.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/21-23.htm">Abimelech's covenant with Abraham at Beersheba.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>and Abimelech asked him,</b><br>Abimelech, the king of Gerar, is a significant figure in the narrative of Abraham. His interactions with Abraham highlight themes of covenant and divine protection. Abimelech's inquiry reflects the customs of the time, where leaders often engaged in negotiations and treaties to ensure peace and mutual understanding. This interaction follows a previous encounter where God warned Abimelech in a dream regarding Sarah, Abraham's wife, emphasizing God's protection over His chosen people.<p><b>“Why have you set apart these seven ewe lambs?”</b><br>The act of setting apart seven ewe lambs is symbolic and significant in ancient Near Eastern culture. The number seven often represents completeness or perfection in the Bible, seen in the creation account and various other contexts. The ewe lambs serve as a witness or testimony to the covenant between Abraham and Abimelech, ensuring that the well of Beersheba belonged to Abraham. This act of setting apart is reminiscent of other biblical covenants, such as God's covenant with Noah and later with Israel. The lambs can also be seen as a type of Christ, the Lamb of God, who is set apart for the redemption of humanity, highlighting themes of sacrifice and covenant.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/abimelech.htm">Abimelech</a></b><br>A Philistine king who forms a covenant with Abraham. His interactions with Abraham highlight themes of diplomacy and mutual respect.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a></b><br>The patriarch of the Israelites, known for his faith and obedience to God. In this passage, he is involved in a covenantal agreement with Abimelech.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/b/beersheba.htm">Beersheba</a></b><br>The location where Abraham and Abimelech make a covenant. It becomes a significant place in biblical history, often associated with God's promises and faithfulness.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/seven_ewe_lambs.htm">Seven Ewe Lambs</a></b><br>These lambs are a symbolic gesture from Abraham to Abimelech, signifying a witness to the covenant they are making.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/c/covenant.htm">Covenant</a></b><br>The agreement between Abraham and Abimelech, marked by the exchange of the seven ewe lambs, which serves as a testimony to their peaceful resolution and mutual understanding.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_covenants.htm">The Importance of Covenants</a></b><br>Covenants in the Bible are serious commitments that reflect God's faithfulness and our responsibility to uphold our promises. Abraham's covenant with Abimelech is a model of integrity and trust.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_in_scripture.htm">Symbolism in Scripture</a></b><br>The seven ewe lambs symbolize a witness to the covenant. Understanding biblical symbols can deepen our comprehension of God's messages and promises.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/peacemaking_as_a_christian_virtue.htm">Peacemaking as a Christian Virtue</a></b><br>Abraham's actions demonstrate the value of peacemaking and reconciliation, aligning with Jesus' teachings in the New Testament.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a></b><br>Abraham's life is a testament to living out one's faith through actions, not just words. His dealings with Abimelech show practical applications of faith in everyday life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness.htm">God's Faithfulness</a></b><br>The location of Beersheba becomes a testament to God's faithfulness, reminding us that God is present in our agreements and relationships.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'by_my_spirit'_mean.htm">Where is Beersheba mentioned in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_beersheba_well_in_genesis.htm">Where is the historical or archaeological evidence for the well at Beersheba mentioned in Genesis 21:25-31?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_gen_21_22-24_show_abimelech's_respect.htm">Does Genesis 21:22-24 align with any external sources suggesting Abimelech acknowledged Abraham's authority in that region?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_biblical_meaning_of_7.htm">What is the biblical significance of the number seven?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/21-29.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">and Abimelech</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_40.htm">Strong's 40: </a> </span><span class="str2">Abimelech -- 'father is king', a Philistine name, also an Israelite name</span><br /><br /><span class="word">asked</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֥אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[him],</span><br /><span class="heb">אַבְרָהָ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(’aḇ·rā·hām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_85.htm">Strong's 85: </a> </span><span class="str2">Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Why</span><br /><span class="heb">מָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">have you set apart</span><br /><span class="heb">הִצַּ֖בְתָּ</span> <span class="translit">(hiṣ·ṣaḇ·tā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5324.htm">Strong's 5324: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take one's stand, stand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">these</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאֵ֔לֶּה</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’êl·leh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_428.htm">Strong's 428: </a> </span><span class="str2">These, those</span><br /><br /><span class="word">seven</span><br /><span class="heb">שֶׁ֤בַע</span> <span class="translit">(še·ḇa‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7651.htm">Strong's 7651: </a> </span><span class="str2">Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number</span><br /><br /><span class="word">ewe lambs?”</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּבָשֹׂת֙</span> <span class="translit">(kə·ḇā·śōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3535.htm">Strong's 3535: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ewe lamb</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/21-29.htm">Genesis 21:29 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/21-29.htm">Genesis 21:29 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/21-29.htm">Genesis 21:29 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/21-29.htm">Genesis 21:29 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/21-29.htm">Genesis 21:29 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/21-29.htm">Genesis 21:29 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/21-29.htm">Genesis 21:29 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/21-29.htm">Genesis 21:29 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/21-29.htm">Genesis 21:29 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/21-29.htm">Genesis 21:29 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/21-29.htm">OT Law: Genesis 21:29 Abimelech said to Abraham What do these (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/21-28.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 21:28"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 21:28" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/21-30.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 21:30"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 21:30" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>