Genesis 21:29

Genesis 21:29 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves?
• New International Version (NIV)and Abimelek asked Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs you have set apart by themselves?”
• English Standard Version (ESV)And Abimelech said to Abraham, "What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs that you have set apart?"
• New King James Version (NKJV)Then Abimelech asked Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs which you have set by themselves?”

Context of Genesis 21:29

27So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant. 28Abraham separated seven ewe lambs from the flock, and Abimelech asked him, “Why have you set apart these seven ewe lambs?” 30He replied, “You are to accept the seven ewe lambs from my hand as my witness that I dug this well.” 31So that place was called Beersheba, because it was there that the two of them swore an oath.

Genesis 21:29 word by word

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ אֶל־אַבְרָהָ֑ם מָ֣ה הֵ֗נָּה שֶׁ֤בַע כְּבָשֹׂת֙ הָאֵ֔לֶּה אֲשֶׁ֥ר הִצַּ֖בְתָּ לְבַדָּֽנָה׃Read the interlinear

• and Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֫לֶךְ'ăbîymelek · AbimelechH40
• askedאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• askedאֶל'êl 'el · to(wards)H413
• ·אַבְרָהָם'abrâhâm · AbrahamH85
• Whyמָהmâh mah mâ ma meh · what?H4100
• Whyהֵנָּהhênnâh · they(fem.)H2007
• have you set apartנָצַבnâtsab · to standH5324
• have you set apartבַּדbad · aloneH905
• theseאֵ֫לֶּה'êlleh · theseH428
• ·אֲשֶׁר'ăsher · whichH834
• sevenשֶׁ֫בַעsheba‛ shib‛âh · sevenH7651
• ewe lambsכִּבְשָׂהkibώâh kabώâh · ewe-lambH3535

Cross-references for Genesis 21:29

• Genesis 33:8“What do you mean by sending this whole company to meet me?” asked Esau. “To find favor in your sight, my lord,” Jacob answered.
• Exodus 12:26When your children ask you, ‘What does this service mean to you?’
• 1 Samuel 15:14But Samuel replied, “Then what is this bleating of sheep and lowing of cattle that I hear?”

Commentaries on Genesis 21:29

• 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 21:29

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

In the dictionaries

• Abimelech
• Abraham
• Abraham, Abram
• 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