Genesis 21:24 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Abraham said, “I will swear.”

NIV: Abraham said, 'I swear it.'

NASB: Abraham said, 'I swear it.'

CSB: And Abraham said, "I swear it."

NLT: Abraham replied, 'Yes, I swear to it!'

KJV: And Abraham said, I will swear.

NKJV: And Abraham said, “I will swear.”

Abimelech, king of Gerar, has asked Abraham to swear to a several things as a way of formalizing an agreement between them. Abimelech had previously given to Abraham the land upon which he and his household were now living. He had seen that Abraham's God is with him in everything. This would have included the miraculous birth of Abraham's son, Isaac, through his wife, Sarah.

Abimelech asked, in essence, that Abraham would swear not to deceive him or his descendants. This provision is made because of the lie Abraham told earlier about Sarah, which nearly cost Abimelech his life (Genesis 20:3–11). Abraham is also asked to swear to act kindly toward Abimelech and the land, in this case meaning the kingdom. Abimelech seems to want to be included in, or least associated with, the blessings Abraham has obtained from God.

Now Abraham replies with what seems to be a short, blunt reply. As the next verse will reveal, Abraham has a complaint he wants to address with Abimelech.

Genesis 21:22–34 describes a covenant treaty between Abraham and Abimelech, king of Gerar. Abimelech had previously given Abraham land to occupy. Now the king wishes to formalize their relationship. Abraham swears not to deceive Abimelech or his offspring again, and to deal kindly with all in the land. Abimelech agrees to recognize Abraham's ownership of a well at the place which becomes known as Beersheba, which means ''well of seve'' or ''well of the oath.''

The Lord did as He had promised. Sarah, now 90 years old, gives birth to Isaac, the long-awaited child. Her joy sours, though, over a fear that Isaac might have to share an inheritance with Ishmael. In obedience to the Lord, who promises to safeguard Ishmael, Abraham sends him and his mother, Hagar, into the wilderness. God rescues them and renews His promise to make Ishmael a great nation in his own right. Meanwhile, Abimelech, king of Gerar, approaches Abraham to make a permanent treaty between them and their descendants. The agreement includes Abraham's possession of a well, at a place which will become known as Beersheba.

In the prior chapter, Abraham managed to get Sarah back from Abimelech, following his own deception and God's intervention. Here, Abraham and Sarah finally conceive a natural child. Isaac, the long-awaited child of the promise, is born. In obedience to God, Abraham sends Hagar and Ishmael away. Abimelech approaches Abraham to make a treaty, giving Abraham a permanent home in a place that becomes known as Beersheba. In the following chapter, God will test Abraham's faith and obedience, in one of Scripture's ultimate examples of trust.

The book of Genesis establishes fundamental truths about God. Among these are His role as the Creator, His holiness, His hatred of sin, His love for mankind, and His willingness to provide for our redemption. We learn not only where mankind has come from, but why the world is in its present form. The book also presents the establishment of Israel, God's chosen people. Many of the principles given in other parts of Scripture depend on the basic ideas presented here in the book of Genesis. Within the framework of the Bible, Genesis explains the bare-bones history of the universe leading up to the captivity of Israel in Egypt, setting the stage for the book of Exodus.

Accessed 5/2/2024 7:41:58 AM