Genesis 21:34 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Abraham sojourned many days in the land of the Philistines.

NIV: And Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines for a long time.

NASB: And Abraham resided in the land of the Philistines for many days.

CSB: And Abraham lived as an alien in the land of the Philistines for many days.

NLT: And Abraham lived as a foreigner in Philistine country for a long time.

KJV: And Abraham sojourned in the Philistines' land many days.

NKJV: And Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines many days.

Earlier in Genesis, God had promised to make Abraham a great nation and to give to Abraham's descendants all of the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:1–3). For much of Abraham's life, that seemed very unlikely, at least from a human perspective. Now, though, it had at least begun. Isaac had been born, a miraculous birth to a married couple decades beyond normal child-rearing ages (Genesis 21:1–3). Abraham now formally owned a well in Canaan, and had come to a covenant agreement with the king of Gerar, Abimelech (Genesis 21:22–31).

Abraham continued to live in this region of Beersheba for "many days." This area is called "the land of the Philistines." This may be because the people who lived there in Abraham's day were the ancestors of those later to be called Philistines. It is also possible that the writer is referring to this region by the name of those who would later occupy it.

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 4/28/2024 6:49:05 PM