Genesis 21:30

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And 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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

He answered, "You are to accept these seven female lambs from me as witness that I dug this well."

Berean Standard Bible:

He replied, “You are to accept the seven ewe lambs from my hand as my witness that I dug this well.”

American Standard Version:

And he said, These seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that it may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And he said^{H559}, For these seven^{H7651} ewe lambs^{H3535} shalt thou take^{H3947} of my hand^{H3027}, that^{H5668} they may be a witness^{H5713} unto me, that I have digged^{H2658} this well^{H875}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Genesis 21:30

Genesis 21:30 is part of the narrative involving Abraham, his son Isaac, and Abimelech, the king of Gerar. The historical context is the patriarchal era, where Abraham, recognized as the father of nations, interacts with local rulers as he sojourns in the land of Canaan.

**Themes:**

1. **Covenant and Witness:** The verse reflects the theme of covenant-making, a common practice in the ancient Near East. Abraham digs a well, which is a significant act in an arid region, and the seven ewe lambs serve as a tangible witness to the agreement between Abraham and Abimelech. The lambs symbolize the legitimacy of Abraham's claim to the well and the mutual recognition of rights and obligations.

2. **Land and Resources:** The well is a symbol of life and sustenance in a harsh environment. The act of digging a well and the subsequent agreement over it underscore the importance of water rights and land use in the nomadic life of the patriarchs. This reflects broader biblical themes of God's people striving to establish themselves in the Promised Land.

3. **Peaceful Coexistence:** Despite potential conflicts over resources, Abraham seeks a peaceful resolution with Abimelech. This reflects the theme of seeking peace with neighbors, which is a recurring motif in the Bible. The agreement serves to prevent future disputes and promote harmonious relations.

4. **God's Providence:** The broader narrative suggests that God's providence is at work in the lives of the patriarchs, guiding them through challenges and conflicts. The resolution of the well dispute can be seen as part of God's plan for Abraham and his descendants.

**Historical Context:**

During the patriarchal age, wells were crucial for survival and often a source of conflict. Nomadic groups like Abraham's would have needed to secure water sources for their flocks and families. The interaction between Abraham and Abimelech reflects the kinds of treaties and alliances that would have been necessary for peaceful coexistence among different groups in the region.

This verse is part of a larger account that emphasizes God's promises to Abraham, including the promise of the land of Canaan to his descendants. The narrative is set in a time when oral agreements and symbolic actions, such as the exchange of livestock, held significant legal and social weight.

In summary, Genesis 21:30 highlights the importance of covenants, resource management, peaceful relations, and divine providence within the context of the patriarchal narratives, reflecting the daily realities and societal norms of the time.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: H7651
   There are 345 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֶׁבַע
   Transliteration: shebaʻ
   Pronunciation: sheh'-bah
   Description: or (masculine) (שִׁבְעָה); from שָׁבַע; a primitive cardinal number; seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number; ([phrase] by) seven(-fold),-s, (-teen, -teenth), -th, times). Compare שִׁבְעָנָה.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3535
   There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כִּבְשָׂה
   Transliteration: kibsâh
   Pronunciation: kib-saw'
   Description: or כַּבְשָׂה; feminine of כֶּבֶשׂ; a ewe; (ewe) lamb.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3947
   There are 909 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לָקַח
   Transliteration: lâqach
   Pronunciation: law-kakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to take (in the widest variety of applications); accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3027
   There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָד
   Transliteration: yâd
   Pronunciation: yawd
   Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves.
   
6. Strong's Number: H5668
   There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָבוּר
   Transliteration: ʻâbûwr
   Pronunciation: aw-boor'
   Description: or עָבֻר; passive participle of עָבַר; properly, crossed, i.e. (abstractly) transit; used only adverbially, on account of, in order that; because of, for (...'s sake), (intent) that, to.
   
7. Strong's Number: H5713
   There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֵדָה
   Transliteration: ʻêdâh
   Pronunciation: ay-daw'
   Description: feminine of עֵד in its techn. sense; testimony; testimony, witness. Compare עֵדָה.
   
8. Strong's Number: H2658
   There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָפַר
   Transliteration: châphar
   Pronunciation: khaw-far'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to pry into; by implication, to delve, to explore; dig, paw, search out, seek.
   
9. Strong's Number: H875
   There are 255 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בְּאֵר
   Transliteration: bᵉʼêr
   Pronunciation: be-ayr'
   Description: from בָּאַר; a pit; especially a well; pit, well.