Genesis 22:19

So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba.

So Abraham {H85} returned {H7725} unto his young men {H5288}, and they rose up {H6965} and went {H3212} together {H3162} to Beersheba {H884}; and Abraham {H85} dwelt {H3427} at Beersheba {H884}.

So Avraham returned to his young men. They got up and went together to Be'er-Sheva, and Avraham settled in Be'er-Sheva.

Abraham went back to his servants, and they got up and set out together for Beersheba. And Abraham settled in Beersheba.

So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beer-sheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beer-sheba.

Commentary

Genesis 22:19 concludes one of the most pivotal and dramatic narratives in the Old Testament: the testing of Abraham's faith through the command to sacrifice his son, Isaac (often called the Akedah, or "binding" in Hebrew).

Context

Immediately preceding this verse, Abraham has demonstrated profound obedience by being willing to offer Isaac, only for God to intervene and provide a ram as a substitute (Genesis 22:13). Following this ultimate test, God reaffirms His covenant promises to Abraham with an even stronger oath (Genesis 22:16-18). Verse 19 describes Abraham's return from Mount Moriah to his young men and their subsequent journey to Beersheba. This return signifies a resumption of normal life after an extraordinary spiritual encounter.

Key Themes

  • Return to Normalcy: After the immense spiritual and emotional intensity of the Akedah, Abraham and his companions return to their camp. This highlights the reality that even profound spiritual experiences are often followed by a return to daily routines, albeit with a deepened faith.
  • God's Faithfulness and Provision: The safe return of Abraham and Isaac to Beersheba underscores God's faithfulness to His promises. The test was not meant to destroy but to refine and confirm Abraham's trust in God's ability to provide, even raising the dead (Hebrews 11:19).
  • Significance of Beersheba: Beersheba ("well of the oath" or "well of seven") was a significant location for Abraham and later patriarchs. It was a place where covenants were made and wells were dug, representing stability and provision. Abraham had previously made a covenant there with Abimelech (Genesis 21:31-32), and it would remain a key home for him and his descendants.

Linguistic Insights

The name Beersheba (ื‘ึฐึผืึตืจ ืฉึธืื‘ึทืข, Be'er Sheva) is rich with meaning. It can be interpreted as "well of the oath," referring to the covenant sworn there by Abraham and Abimelech, or "well of seven," possibly indicating seven wells, seven lambs, or an oath confirmed by sevenfold agreement. Its repeated mention emphasizes its importance as a place of covenant and dwelling for Abraham.

Reflection and Application

Genesis 22:19 teaches us that faith is not just about dramatic moments of testing, but also about the quiet, consistent walk that follows. Abraham's return to Beersheba demonstrates his continued trust and dwelling in the place of God's provision and promises. For believers today, this verse reminds us that after encountering God in powerful ways, we are called to return to our daily lives, carrying the lessons learned, trusting in God's unwavering faithfulness, and seeking to dwell in His presence even amidst the mundane. It encourages us to find our rest and security in Him, just as Abraham found his dwelling place at Beersheba.

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Cross-References

  • Genesis 21:31 (3 votes)

    Wherefore he called that place Beersheba; because there they sware both of them.

  • Joshua 15:28 (2 votes)

    And Hazarshual, and Beersheba, and Bizjothjah,

  • Judges 20:1 (2 votes)

    ยถ Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beersheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the LORD in Mizpeh.