New International Version
Genesis 21:27
27So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelek, and the two men made a treaty.
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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Abraham then gave some of his sheep, goats, and cattle to Abimelech, and they made a treaty.
Context of Genesis 21:27
25Then Abraham complained to Abimelek about a well of water that Abimelek’s servants had seized. 26But Abimelek said, “I don’t know who has done this. You did not tell me, and I heard about it only today.” So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelek, and the two men made a treaty. 28Abraham set apart seven ewe lambs from the flock, 29and Abimelek asked Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs you have set apart by themselves?”
Read all of Genesis 21Genesis 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, “With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth,
- Proverbs 17:8A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn.
- Proverbs 18:16A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
- Proverbs 21:14A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.
- Isaiah 32:8But the noble make noble plans, and by noble deeds they stand.
- Genesis 26:28They answered, “We saw clearly that the Lord was with you; so we said, ‘There ought to be a sworn agreement between us’—between us and you. Let us make a treaty with you
- Genesis 31:44Come now, let’s make a covenant, you and I, and let it serve as a witness between us.”
- 1 Samuel 18:3And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.
- Ezekiel 17:13Then he took a member of the royal family and made a treaty with him, putting him under oath. He also carried away the leading men of the land,
- Romans 1:31they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy.
- Galatians 3:15Brothers and sisters, let me take an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been duly established, so it is in this case.
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
In the dictionaries
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
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