Genesis 21:22

_AND IT CAME TO PASS AT THAT TIME, THAT ABIMELECH AND PHICHOL THE CHIEF CAPTAIN OF HIS HOST SPAKE UNTO ABRAHAM, SAYING, GOD IS WITH THEE IN ALL THAT THOU DOEST:_ Abimelech and Phichol. Here is a proof of the promise (Genesis 12:2) being fulfilled, in a native prince wishing to form a solemn league with Abraham. The proposal was reasonable, and agreed to. The manifest tokens of the divine blessing which rested on Abraham and his extensive flourishing establishment made a deep impression on the minds of these people, among whom, as with Melchizedek, the knowledge and worship of the true God still lingered. The record of a league proposed on such grounds as are stated is exceedingly interesting, as it affords a glimpse of early history, which shows that the lapse of the nations into idolatry and superstition was gradual. Abimekech and Phichol the chief captain of his

22._And it came to pass at that time_. Moses relates, that this covenant was entered into between Abraham and Abimelech, for the purpose of showing, that after various agitations, some repose was, at length, granted to the holy man. He had been constrained, as a wanderer, and without a fixed abode, to move his tent from place to place, during sixty years. But although God would have him to be a sojourner even unto death, yet, under king Abimelech, he granted him a quiet habitation. And it is the design of Moses to show, how it happened, that he occupied one place longer than he was wont. The circumstance of time is to be noted; namely, soon after he had dismissed his son. For it seems that his great trouble was immediately followed by this consolation, not only that he might have some relaxation from continued inconveniences, but that he might be the more cheerful, and might the more qui...

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 as he knows he has done wrong. Abraham, being now in a good neighbourhood, stayed a great while there. There he made, not only a constant practice, but an open profession of his religion. There he called on the name of the Lord, as the everlasting God; probably in the grove he planted, which was his place of prayer. Abraham kept up public worship, in which his neighbours might join. Good men should do all they can to make others so. Wherever we...

Verse Genesis 21:22. _AT THAT TIME_] This may either refer to the transactions recorded in the preceding chapter, or to the time of Ishmael's marriage, but most probably to the former. _GOD IS WITH THEE_] מימרא דיי _melmera daiya_, _the_ WORD of Jehovah; see before, Genesis 15:1. That the Chaldee paraphrasts use this term, not for a _word spoken_, but in the same sense in which St. John uses the λογος του Θεου, the WORD of God, John 1:1, must be evident to every unprejudiced reader. Genesis 15:1....

- 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 _b__e__êr_-_sheba‛_, Beer-sheba‘, “well of seven.” 22. פיכל _pı̂ykol_, Pikhol, “mouth or spokesman of all.” 23. נין _nı̂yn_ “offspring, kin;” related: “sprout, flourish.”...

EXPOSITION GENESIS 21:22 AND IT CAME TO PASS AT THAT TIME,—possibly in immediate sequence to the incident of the preceding chapter, but, "according to the common law of Hebrew narrative, probably not long after the birth of Isaac." (Murphy)—THAT ABIMELECH—the king of Gerar (Genesis 20:2; Genesis 26:1, Genesis 26:16)—AND PHI-CHOL—if the name be Shemitic, "mouth of all," _i.e._ spokesman of all (Murphy), ruler of all (Gesenius); or "_the _distinguished" (Furst); believed to have been a titular designation of the Philistine monarch's grand v

AND IT CAME TO PASS AT THAT TIME,.... Not when Ishmael was grown up and married, but when Isaac was weaned and Ishmael was expelled: THAT ABIMELECH, AND PHICHOL, THE CHIEF CAPTAIN OF HIS HOST, SPAKE UNTO ABRAHAM; Abimelech was king of Gerar, the same that is spoken of in the preceding chapter, and Phichol was the general of his army; these two great personages came together and paid Abraham a visit, and had some conversation with him, who was still in Gerar, or however in some part of that country not far from it: SAYING, GOD [IS] WITH THEE IN ALL THAT THOU DOEST; greatly prospered him in the things of the world, for of them only could they make a judgment; they saw that he increased in worldly substance, and that his family was increased, and that he succeeded in everything in which he engaged; and, being jealous of his growing greatness and power, were desirous of securing an interes...

CHAPTER 21 ISAAC AND ISHMAEL AND THE COVENANT WITH ABIMELECH _ 1. Isaac's birth (Genesis 22:1) 2. His circumcision (Genesis 22:4)_ 3. Ishmael mocking (Genesis 22:9) 4. Sarah's demand (Genesis 22:10) 5. God speaks to Abraham (Genesis 22:12) 6. Hagar and Ishmael cast out (Genesis 22:14) 7. The intervention of God (Genesis 22:17)

GENESIS 12:1 TO GENESIS 25:18. THE STORY OF ABRAHAM. In this section the three main sources, J. E, P are present. Gunkel has given strong reasons for holding that J is here made up of two main sources, one connecting Abraham with Hebron, the other with Beersheba and the Negeb. The former associates Abraham with Lot. (For details, see ICC.) On the interpretation to be placed on the figures of Abraham and the patriarchs, see the Introduction. The interest, which has hitherto been diffused over the fortunes of mankind in general, is now concentrated on Abraham and his posterity, the principle of election narrowing it down to Isaac, Ishmael being left aside, and then to Jacob, Esau being excluded....

CAME TO PASS AT THAT TIME, &C.— Hence it is plain that Abraham had continued in the country of the Philistines for a considerable time; when Abimelech, struck with God's providential regard to him, was desirous of entering into a league and alliance with him....