Genesis 21:31

Genesis 21:31 in other versions

• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Then he named the place Beersheba (which means “well of the oath”), because that was where they had sworn the oath.

Context of Genesis 21:31

29And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves? 30And he said, For these seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well. Wherefore he called that place Beer–sheba; because there they sware both of them. 32Thus they made a covenant at Beer–sheba: then Abimelech rose up, and Phichol the chief captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the Philistines. 33And Abraham planted a grove in Beer–sheba, and called there 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

• 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 26:33And he called it Shebah: therefore the name of the city is Beer–sheba unto this day.
• Genesis 21:14And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beer–sheba.
• Genesis 26:23And he went up from thence to Beer–sheba.
• Joshua 15:28And Hazar–shual, and Beer–sheba, and Bizjothjah,
• Judges 20:1Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beer–sheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the Lord in Mizpeh.
• 2 Samuel 17:11Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beer–sheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person.
• 1 Kings 4:25And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beer–sheba, 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