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, “Why have you separated these seven ewe lambs?” 30He replied, “You are to accept the seven ewe lambs from me so that this act will serve as my witness that I dug this well.” Therefore that place was called Beer-sheba because it was there that the two of them swore an oath. 32After they had made a covenant at Beer-sheba, Abimelech and Phicol, the commander of his army, left and returned to the land of the Philistines. 33Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beer-sheba, and there he called on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting 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 26:33He called it Sheba. Therefore the name of the city is still Beer-sheba today.
• Genesis 21:14Early in the morning Abraham got up, took bread and a waterskin, put them on Hagar’s shoulders, and sent her and the boy away. She left and wandered in the Wilderness of Beer-sheba.
• Genesis 26:23From there he went up to Beer-sheba,
• Joshua 15:28Hazar-shual, Beer-sheba, Biziothiah,
• Judges 20:1All the Israelites from Dan to Beer-sheba and from the land of Gilead came out, and the community assembled as one body before the Lord at Mizpah.
• 2 Samuel 17:11Instead, I advise that all Israel from Dan to Beer-sheba — as numerous as the sand by the sea — be gathered to you and that you personally go into battle.
• 1 Kings 4:25Throughout Solomon’s reign, Judah and Israel lived in safety from Dan to Beer-sheba, each person under his own vine and his own fig tree.

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