Genesis 21:31

_WHEREFORE HE CALLED THAT PLACE BEERSHEBA; BECAUSE THERE THEY SWARE BOTH OF THEM._ Wherefore he called that place Beer-sheba - [Hebrew, Beer-shaba here, and Beer-sheba in Genesis 26:33. The name originated in one of two circumstances, either because, _ NISHBª`UW_ (H7650), "they sware both of them;" or from _ SHEBA`_ (H7651), seven.] In the account of a renewed transaction of the same kind, in the history of Isaac, the oath alone is stated as the foundation of the name (Genesis 26:28; Genesis 26:33). Delitzsch combines both these circumstances in tracing the derivation of the name. [The place where this le

31._Wherefore he called that place Beer-sheba_. Moses has once already called the place by this name, but proleptically. Now, however, he declares when, and for what reason, the name was given; namely, because there both he and Abimelech had sworn; therefore I translate the term ‘the well of swearing.’ Others translate it ‘the well of seven.’ But Moses plainly derives the word from swearing; nor is it of any consequence that the pronunciation slightly varies from grammatical correctness, which in proper names is not very nicely observed. In fact, Moses does not restrict the etymology to the _well_, but comprises the whole covenant. I do not, however, deny that Moses might allude to the number _seven _(444)...

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 21:31. _HE CALLED THAT PLACE BEER-SHEBA_] באר שבע _Beer-shaba_, literally, the well of swearing or of the oath, because they both sware there-mutually confirmed the covenant....

- 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

WHEREFORE HE CALLED THAT PLACE BEERSHEBA,.... Either Abraham or Abimelech, or both, called it so; or it may be read impersonally, "therefore the place was called Beersheba" t, for two reasons, one implied, the other expressed; one was, because of the seven lambs before mentioned; so the Targum of Jonathan, "and therefore he called the well the well of seven lambs;'' "Beer" signifying a well, and "sheba" seven; the other, and which is more certain, being expressed, is as follows; BECAUSE THERE THEY SWARE BOTH OF THEM; by the living God, to keep the covenant inviolably they had made between them. t יקרא "vocatus", V. L. Calvin, Piscator....

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....

BEER-SHEBA. Hebrew. _well of the oath._...