Genesis 21:27

Genesis 21:27 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and both of them made a covenant.
• New International Version (NIV)So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelek, and the two men made a treaty.
• English Standard Version (ESV)So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant.
• New King James Version (NKJV)So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two of them made a covenant.

Context of Genesis 21:27

25Then Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well of water which the servants of Abimelech had [violently] seized [from him], 26Abimelech said, “I do not know who did this thing. Indeed, you did not tell me, and I did not hear of it until today.” So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant (binding agreement). 28Then Abraham set apart seven ewe lambs of the flock, 29and Abimelech said to Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs which you have set apart?”

Genesis 21:27 word by word

וַיִּקַּ֤ח אַבְרָהָם֙ צֹ֣אן וּבָקָ֔ר וַיִּתֵּ֖ן לַאֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ וַיִּכְרְת֥וּ שְׁנֵיהֶ֖ם בְּרִֽית׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And Abrahamאַבְרָהָם'abrâhâm · AbrahamH85
• tookלָקַחlâqach · to take: takeH3947
• sheepצֹאןtsô'n tse'ôn · flockH6629
• and oxenבָּקָרbâqâr · cattleH1241
• and gaveנָתַןnâthan · to give: giveH5414
• them unto Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֫לֶךְ'ăbîymelek · AbimelechH40
• and both of themשְׁנַ֫יִםshenayim shettayim · twoH8147
• madeכָּרַתkârath · to cut: make(covenant)H3772
• a covenantבְּרִיתberîyth · covenantH1285

Cross-references for Genesis 21:27

• Genesis 14:22But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand and sworn an oath to the Lord God Most High, the Creator and Possessor of heaven and earth,
• Proverbs 17:8A bribe is like a bright, precious stone in the eyes of its owner; Wherever he turns, he prospers.
• Proverbs 18:16A man’s gift [given in love or courtesy] makes room for him And brings him before great men.
• Proverbs 21:14A gift in secret subdues anger, And a bribe [hidden] in the pocket, strong wrath.
• Isaiah 32:8But the noble man conceives noble and magnificent things; And he stands by what is noble and magnificent.
• Genesis 26:28They said, “We see clearly that the Lord has been with you; so we said, ‘There should now be an oath between us [with a curse for the one who breaks it], that is, between you and us, and let us make a covenant (binding agreement, solemn promise) with you,
• Genesis 31:44So come now, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it serve as a witness between you and me.”
• 1 Samuel 18:3Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.
• Ezekiel 17:13And he took a member of the royal family [the king’s uncle, Zedekiah] and made a covenant with him, putting him under oath. He also took the important leaders of the land,
• Romans 1:31without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful [without pity].
• Galatians 3:15Brothers and sisters, I speak in terms of human relations: even though a last will and testament is just a human covenant, yet when it has been signed and made legally binding, no one sets it aside or adds to it [modifying it in some way].

Commentaries on Genesis 21:27

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 27Took sheep and oxen - Some think that these were the sacrifices which were offered on the occasion, and which Abraham furnished at his own cost, and, in order to do Abimelech the greater honor, gave them to him to offer before the Lord.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1-34Verses 1-34 - The Birth of Isaac 7. מלל mı̂lēl “speak,” an ancient and therefore solemn and poetical word. 14. חמת chêmet “bottle,” akin to חמה chāmâh “surround, enclose,” and הוּם chûm “black. באר שׁבע beêr -sheba‛ Beer-sheba, “well of seven.” 22. פיכל pı̂ykol Pikhol, “mouth or spokesman of all.” 23. נין nı̂yn “offspring, kin;” related: “sprout, flourish.” נכד neked “progeny,” perhaps “acquaintance,” cognate with נגד ngd “be before” (the eyes) and…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 22-34Verses 22-34 Abimelech felt sure that the promises of God would be fulfilled to Abraham. It is wise to connect ourselves with those who are blessed of God; and we ought to requite kindness to those who have been kind to us. Wells of water are scarce and valuable in eastern countries. Abraham took care to have his title to the well allowed, to prevent disputes in future. No more can be expected from an honest man than that he be ready to do right, as soon…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 27-31Abraham gave gifts to Abimelec (compare 20:14). These gifts helped confirm his legal right to live peacefully in the land and to claim the well as his own. Beersheba marked another step toward the fulfillment (completion) of God’s promise.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 25-3125-31. And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well--Wells were of great importance to a pastoral chief and on the successful operation of sinking a new one, the owner was solemnly informed in person. If, however, they were allowed to get out of repair, the restorer acquired a right to them. In unoccupied lands the possession of wells gave a right of property in the land, and dread of this had caused the offense for which Abraham reproved Abimelech…Read the comment

Topics related to Genesis 21:27

• Abimelech
• Abraham
• Alliances
• Contracts
• Covenant
• Rulers
• Token
• Wells
• Witness

In the dictionaries

• Abimelech
• Abraham
• Abraham, Abram
• Call
• Cast
• Cattle
• Everlasting
• Falsely
• Grievous
• Lift

Commentaries on Genesis 21

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings