Genesis 21:31

Genesis 21:31 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Wherefore he called that place Beer–sheba; because there they sware both of them.
• New International Version (NIV)So that place was called Beersheba, because the two men swore an oath there.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Therefore that place was called Beersheba, because there both of them swore an oath.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because the two of them swore an oath there.

Context of Genesis 21:31

29and Abimelech said to Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs which you have set apart?” 30Abraham said, “You are to accept these seven ewe lambs from me as a witness for me, that I dug this well.” Therefore that place was called Beersheba (Well of the Oath or Well of the Seven), because there the two of them swore an oath. 32So they made a covenant at Beersheba; then Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, got up and returned to the land of the Philistines. 33Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the Lord [in prayer], the Eternal God.

Genesis 21:31 word by word

עַל־כֵּ֗ן קָרָ֛א לַמָּק֥וֹם הַה֖וּא בְּאֵ֣ר שָׁ֑בַע כִּ֛י שָׁ֥ם נִשְׁבְּע֖וּ שְׁנֵיהֶֽם׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Wherefore he calledקָרָאqârâ' · to call: call byH7121
• that placeמָקוֹםmâqôm mâqôm meqômâh meqômâh · placeH4725
• Beer–shebaבְּאֵר שֶׁ֫בַעbe'êr sheba‛ · BeershebaH884
• because there they swareשָׁבַעshâba‛ · to swearH7650
• both of themשְׁנַ֫יִםshenayim shettayim · twoH8147

Cross-references for Genesis 21:31

• Genesis 26:33So he named the well Shibah; therefore the name of the city is Beersheba to this day.
• Genesis 21:14So Abraham got up early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar, putting them on her shoulder, and gave her the boy, and sent her away. And she left [but lost her way] and wandered [aimlessly] in the Wilderness of Beersheba.
• Genesis 26:23Then he went up from there to Beersheba.
• Joshua 15:28and Hazar-shual and Beersheba and Biziothiah,
• Judges 20:1Then all the sons of Israel from Dan [in the north] to Beersheba [in the south], including the land of Gilead came out, and the congregation assembled as one man to the Lord at Mizpah.
• 2 Samuel 17:11But I advise that all [the men of] Israel be summoned to you, from Dan [in the north] to Beersheba [in the south], like the sand that is by the sea in abundance, and that you personally go into battle.
• 1 Kings 4:25Judah and Israel lived in security, every man under his vine and fig tree [in peace and prosperity], from Dan [in the north] to Beersheba [in the south], during all the days of Solomon.

Commentaries on Genesis 21:31

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 31He called that place Beer-sheba - שבע באר Beer -shaba, literally, the well of swearing or of the oath, because they both sware there - mutually confirmed the covenant.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 21:31

• Abimelech
• Abraham
• Alliances
• Beer-Sheba
• Contracts
• Covenant
• Rulers

In the dictionaries

• Sheba
• Abimelech
• Beersheba
• Call
• Cast
• Everlasting
• Falsely
• Grievous
• Lift
• Mean

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