Abraham and Abimelech Make a Covenant at Beersheba. Probably from JE. The analysis is uncertain; perhaps Genesis 21:25 f., Genesis 21:28-30; Genesis 21:32-34 belong to J, the rest to E. One narrative represents Abraham as making a covenant of friendship with Abimelech at the king's request, the other as securing a recognition from Abimelech of his claim to the wells of Beersheba. The point of Genesis 21:25 f. is probably that whenever Abraham reproved Abimelech, as he did on various occasions, he could get no satisfaction from him. It does not continue Genesis 21:24, but begins an independent narrative, which is continued in Genesis 21:28-30. The variant in Genesis 26:13-33 should be compared. There are two suggestions as to the origin of the name Beersheba. One is that it refers to the seven ewe lambs (Genesis 21:28-30), the other that it means well of the oath (Genesis 21:31). The true meaning is probably well of seven, the reference being to the seven wells at Beersheba. A dispute about wells is very common in those regions (p. 32). For seven as a sacred number cf. Numbers 22:41 to Numbers 23:6 *.
Genesis 21:22-34
22 And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol the chief captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest:
23 Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son: but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned.
24 And Abraham said, I will swear.
25 And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away.
26 And Abimelech said, I wot not who hath done this thing: neither didst thou tell me, neither yet heard I of it, but to day.
27 And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and both of them made a covenant.
28 And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.
29 And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves?
30 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.
31 Wherefore he called that place Beersheba;a because there they sware both of them.
32 Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba: then Abimelech rose up, and Phichol the chief captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the Philistines.
33 And Abraham planted a groveb in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.
34 And Abraham sojourned in the Philistines' land many days.