Genesis 21:29 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
Genesis 21:29 kjv
And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves?
Genesis 21:29 nkjv
Then Abimelech asked Abraham, "What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs which you have set by themselves?"
Genesis 21:29 niv
and Abimelek asked Abraham, "What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs you have set apart by themselves?"
Genesis 21:29 esv
And Abimelech said to Abraham, "What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs that you have set apart?"
Genesis 21:29 nlt
Abimelech asked, "Why have you set these seven apart from the others?"
Genesis 21 29 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Covenant and Oath Making | ||
| Gen 21:31 | Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because there... sworn both of them. | Name for well of oath |
| Gen 26:31 | ...and they rose up early in the morning and swore an oath to one another... | Isaac and Abimelech's covenant |
| Gen 15:9-10 | He said to him, "Bring me a heifer... a she-goat... a ram..." | God's covenant with Abram involves animals |
| Jer 34:18 | And the men who transgressed my covenant... I will make them like the calf.. | Solemn covenant ritual with divided animals |
| Exod 24:8 | And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, "Behold..." | Covenant ratified by blood |
| Matt 26:28 | "for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out..." | New Covenant in Christ's blood |
| Heb 9:16-17 | For where a will is, there must of necessity be the death of him who made it. | Covenant requiring death of an offering/maker |
| Symbolism of Seven | ||
| Gen 2:2-3 | And on the seventh day God finished his work... | Completion and divine blessing of the seventh |
| Lev 23:41-42 | You shall keep it as a feast to the Lord seven days in the year... | Feasts of the Lord often lasting seven days |
| Prov 9:1 | Wisdom has built her house; she has cut her seven pillars. | Symbol of wisdom and completeness |
| Rev 1:12, 16 | ...seven golden lampstands... and in his right hand he held seven stars. | Completeness and divine presence |
| Rev 4:5 | ...seven torches of fire, which are the seven Spirits of God. | Sevenfold Spirit of God, fullness |
| Witness and Testimony | ||
| Gen 21:30 | Abraham said, "You shall accept these seven ewe lambs from my hand, that they may be a witness..." | Explicit purpose of the lambs as a witness |
| Deut 19:15 | A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime... | Importance of multiple witnesses for legal validity |
| Josh 22:27-28 | ...may be a witness between us and you and between our generations... | Physical marker as a perpetual witness |
| Ruth 4:7 | Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming... | Symbolic action serving as witness |
| Disputes Over Wells and Land Rights | ||
| Gen 21:25 | When Abraham reproved Abimelech concerning a well of water that Abimelech's servants had seized. | Direct preceding event: the well dispute |
| Gen 26:18-21 | And Isaac dug again the wells of water that had been dug in the days... | Isaac's repeated disputes over wells |
| Gen 23:17-18 | ...was deeded to Abraham as a possession in the presence of the Hittites. | Purchase of land witnessed and made legitimate |
| Diplomacy and Relationship with Abraham | ||
| Gen 21:22 | At that time Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham... | Abimelech's initiation of the conversation |
| Gen 20:13-15 | "God caused me to wander... Show me the kindness which you showed me." | Abimelech's earlier interaction and dealings with Abraham |
Genesis 21 verses
Genesis 21 29 meaning
Genesis 21:29 records Abimelech's question to Abraham, expressing curiosity about the seven ewe lambs Abraham had specifically set apart. This inquiry seeks clarity regarding the unusual placement of these animals, signifying Abimelech's astute observation and a diplomatic request for explanation, which directly sets the stage for the formal agreement and oath that follows. It highlights a moment of deliberate action by Abraham in the process of covenant-making, drawing attention to a significant symbolic act.
Genesis 21 29 Context
Genesis 21:29 is situated within the narrative of Abraham's interactions with Abimelech, the king of Gerar, specifically concerning the control and rights over a vital water well. This follows an earlier episode (Genesis 20) where God intervened on Abraham's behalf with Abimelech. In chapter 21, Abimelech acknowledges God's favor on Abraham (Gen 21:22) and proposes an oath between them. Abraham agrees but then lodges a complaint about Abimelech's servants seizing one of his wells (Gen 21:25). After giving sheep and oxen to Abimelech (Gen 21:27), Abraham separates "seven ewe lambs" from his flock. Verse 29 captures Abimelech's direct inquiry about the meaning of this specific act, which is distinct from the general gift, thereby setting the stage for Abraham's explanation regarding the well ownership and the subsequent covenant (Gen 21:30-32).
Genesis 21 29 Word analysis
- And: Links directly to Abraham's preceding action of setting aside the lambs (Gen 21:28). It indicates a natural progression in the conversation.
- Abimelech: Refers to the king of Gerar. His role here is significant as a ruler seeking clarity and confirming agreements. He demonstrates an attentive and diplomatic nature.
- said: A simple verb indicating verbal communication. Abimelech vocalizes his question, showing he wants an immediate answer and explanation.
- What mean: (Hebrew: mah-zzōʾt) An interrogative phrase seeking the purpose or significance. It implies mild confusion or a direct request for clarification on a peculiar action, not necessarily an accusation. It translates to "what is this?" or "what means this?" emphasizing the distinct nature of Abraham's act.
- these seven: Specifies a precise, small number. The number "seven" (Hebrew: sheva) holds immense symbolic weight in the Bible, often associated with completeness, perfection, covenant, or oath. It hints at the deep significance of the ensuing ritual. The deliberate mention of "these" highlights the distinct grouping Abraham made.
- ewe lambs: (Hebrew: kibsōt ha-tzo'n) Refers to young female sheep. These were valuable livestock in that culture, commonly used for sacrifice or as indicators of wealth. Their age and sex (lambs, ewes) likely denote their suitability for a specific ceremonial purpose. They are distinct from the general flock mentioned earlier.
- which thou hast set by themselves: (Hebrew: hatztzigōtā l'vaddān) Describes a deliberate and isolated placement. "Set by themselves" indicates that Abraham intentionally separated them from the larger gift (Gen 21:27), signifying they served a unique purpose different from a mere presentation. This distinct act is what piques Abimelech's curiosity, suggesting a pre-arranged symbolic gesture.
- "What mean these seven ewe lambs": This phrase forms the core of Abimelech's inquiry. It reveals his understanding that the lambs, particularly their specific number and their separate setting, carried a meaning beyond a simple gift. It foreshadows Abraham's explanation in the following verse, connecting the lambs to the covenant witness.
- "seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves": This combined phrase emphasizes the precise ritualistic nature of Abraham's actions. The specific quantity ("seven") combined with the distinct placement ("set by themselves") clearly signals a deliberate symbolic act rather than an incidental occurrence, pointing towards a covenant or solemn agreement. The distinction suggests a specific ritual with Abraham initiating the terms.
Genesis 21 29 Bonus section
The subtle wordplay between the Hebrew word for "seven" (sheva) and the verb "to swear" or "take an oath" (shaba) is fundamental to understanding this verse and the naming of Beer-sheba (meaning "well of the oath" or "well of seven"). Abimelech's question regarding the seven ewe lambs directly precedes Abraham's explanation that they are for a witness (Gen 21:30) of an oath (shaba). This linguistic connection enriches the passage, demonstrating a foundational element of the covenant, which extends through much of biblical history in concepts of solemn promises before God. This event solidifies Abraham's legal claim to the well and signifies his peaceful establishment in the land through divine blessing and diplomatic action.
Genesis 21 29 Commentary
Abimelech's question in Genesis 21:29 serves as a crucial point of engagement in the covenant narrative at Beer-sheba. It reveals Abimelech's attentive observation of Abraham's actions. Abraham's deliberate setting apart of seven ewe lambs, distinct from the larger flock presented as a general gift (Gen 21:27), indicated a ritualistic purpose that Abimelech wisely questioned. This inquiry is not born of ignorance but of a recognition that such a specific act typically precedes a formal agreement or oath in their cultural context. The number "seven" carries deep biblical significance, phonetically linked in Hebrew to the verb "to swear" (shaba). Thus, Abimelech's question regarding "these seven ewe lambs" invites Abraham to clarify their role as a "witness" to the ownership of the disputed well (Gen 21:30). This interaction showcases ancient Near Eastern covenant-making protocols, where specific animals or actions formalized verbal agreements, underscoring the legal and spiritual weight of the oath taken at Beer-sheba. It highlights Abraham's consistent faith, not only in receiving God's promises but also in securing practical aspects of his promised land, even through formal agreements with gentile rulers.