Genesis 21:27
New International Version
So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelek, and the two men made a treaty.

New Living Translation
Abraham then gave some of his sheep, goats, and cattle to Abimelech, and they made a treaty.

English Standard Version
So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant.

Berean Standard Bible
So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant.

King James Bible
And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and both of them made a covenant.

New King James Version
So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two of them made a covenant.

New American Standard Bible
So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two of them made a covenant.

NASB 1995
Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two of them made a covenant.

NASB 1977
And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them to Abimelech; and the two of them made a covenant.

Legacy Standard Bible
So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two of them cut a covenant.

Amplified Bible
So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant (binding agreement).

Christian Standard Bible
Abraham took flocks and herds and gave them to Abimelech, and the two of them made a covenant.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Abraham took sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech, and the two of them made a covenant.

American Standard Version
And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and they two made a covenant.

Contemporary English Version
Abraham gave Abimelech some sheep and cattle, then the two men made a peace treaty.

English Revised Version
And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and they two made a covenant.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Abraham took some sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech, and the two of them made an agreement.

Good News Translation
Then Abraham gave some sheep and cattle to Abimelech, and the two of them made an agreement.

International Standard Version
So Abraham took sheep and oxen and presented them to Abimelech, and the two of them made a covenant.

Majority Standard Bible
So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant.

NET Bible
Abraham took some sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech. The two of them made a treaty.

New Heart English Bible
Abraham took sheep and cattle, and gave them to Abimelech, and the two of them made a covenant.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them to Abimelech: and both of them made a covenant.

World English Bible
Abraham took sheep and cattle, and gave them to Abimelech. Those two made a covenant.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Abraham takes sheep and oxen, and gives to Abimelech, and they make, both of them, a covenant;

Young's Literal Translation
And Abraham taketh sheep and oxen, and giveth to Abimelech, and they make, both of them, a covenant;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Abraham will take sheep and oxen, and give to Abimelech; and they two made a covenant.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech: and both of them made a league.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so Abraham took sheep and oxen, and he gave them to Abimelech. And both of them struck a pact.

New American Bible
Then Abraham took sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech and the two made a covenant.

New Revised Standard Version
So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimeleck; and both of them made a covenant.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Abraham took sheep and oxen and he gave to Abimelek and both of them established a covenant.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and they two made a covenant.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Abraam took sheep and calves, and gave them to Abimelech, and both made a covenant.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Covenant at Beersheba
26Abimelech replied, “I do not know who has done this. You did not tell me, so I have not heard about it until today.” 27So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant. 28Abraham separated seven ewe lambs from the flock,…

Cross References
Genesis 26:28-31
“We can plainly see that the LORD has been with you,” they replied. “We recommend that there should now be an oath between us and you. Let us make a covenant with you / that you will not harm us, just as we have not harmed you but have done only good to you, sending you on your way in peace. And now you are blessed by the LORD.” / So Isaac prepared a feast for them, and they ate and drank. ...

Genesis 31:44-54
Come now, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it serve as a witness between you and me.” / So Jacob picked out a stone and set it up as a pillar, / and he said to his relatives, “Gather some stones.” So they took stones and made a mound, and there by the mound they ate. ...

Genesis 23:16-20
Abraham agreed to Ephron’s terms and weighed out for him the price he had named in the hearing of the Hittites: four hundred shekels of silver, according to the standard of the merchants. / So Ephron’s field at Machpelah near Mamre, the cave that was in it, and all the trees within the boundaries of the field were deeded over / to Abraham’s possession in the presence of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of his city. ...

Genesis 14:13
Then an escapee came and reported this to Abram the Hebrew. Now Abram was living near the Oaks of Mamre the Amorite, a brother of Eshcol and Aner, all of whom were bound by treaty to Abram.

Genesis 34:8-10
But Hamor said to them, “My son Shechem longs for your daughter. Please give her to him as his wife. / Intermarry with us; give us your daughters and take our daughters for yourselves. / You may settle among us, and the land will be open to you. Live here, move about freely, and acquire your own property.”

Exodus 23:32
You shall make no covenant with them or with their gods.

Joshua 9:15
And Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them.

1 Samuel 18:3
Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.

1 Kings 5:12
And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as He had promised him. There was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty.

2 Chronicles 16:3
“Let there be a treaty between me and you as there was between my father and your father. See, I have sent you silver and gold. Now go and break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me.”

Psalm 15:4
who despises the vile but honors those who fear the LORD, who does not revise a costly oath,

Isaiah 33:8
The highways are deserted; travel has ceased. The treaty has been broken, the witnesses are despised, and human life is disregarded.

Jeremiah 34:18
And those who have transgressed My covenant and have not fulfilled the terms of the covenant they made before Me, I will treat like the calf they cut in two in order to pass between its pieces.

Ezekiel 17:13-16
He took a member of the royal family and made a covenant with him, putting him under oath. Then he carried away the leading men of the land, / so that the kingdom would be brought low, unable to lift itself up, surviving only by keeping his covenant. / But this king rebelled against Babylon by sending his envoys to Egypt to ask for horses and a large army. Will he flourish? Will the one who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and yet escape?’ ...

Matthew 5:37
Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Anything more comes from the evil one.


Treasury of Scripture

And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them to Abimelech; and both of them made a covenant.

took.

Genesis 14:22,23
And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, …

Proverbs 17:8
A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth.

Proverbs 18:16,24
A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men…

made.

Genesis 26:28-31
And they said, We saw certainly that the LORD was with thee: and we said, Let there be now an oath betwixt us, even betwixt us and thee, and let us make a covenant with thee; …

Genesis 31:44
Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee.

1 Samuel 18:3
Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul.

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Abimelech Abim'elech Abraham Agreement Cattle Covenant Oxen Sheep Together Treaty
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Abimelech Abim'elech Abraham Agreement Cattle Covenant Oxen Sheep Together Treaty
Genesis 21
1. Isaac is born, and circumcised.
6. Sarah's joy.
8. Isaac is weaned.
9. Hagar and Ishmael sent away.
15. Hagar in distress.
17. The angel relieves and comforts her.
23. Abimelech's covenant with Abraham at Beersheba.














So Abraham
The name "Abraham" is derived from the Hebrew "Avraham," meaning "father of many." This name change from Abram to Abraham signifies God's promise to make him a father of many nations (Genesis 17:5). Abraham is a central figure in the Bible, known for his faith and obedience to God. His actions in this verse reflect his role as a patriarch and a man of integrity, willing to establish peace and mutual respect with his neighbors.

brought sheep and cattle
The act of bringing "sheep and cattle" is significant in the ancient Near Eastern context. Livestock was a primary measure of wealth and a means of sustenance. By offering these animals, Abraham demonstrates generosity and a willingness to invest in a peaceful relationship. This gesture is not merely transactional but symbolic of goodwill and the desire for lasting harmony.

and gave them to Abimelech
Abimelech, whose name means "my father is king," was a Philistine king. The giving of livestock to Abimelech signifies a gesture of reconciliation and respect. In the cultural context, such gifts were often used to seal agreements and demonstrate sincerity. Abraham's actions here reflect a commitment to peaceful coexistence and the importance of maintaining good relations with neighboring peoples.

and the two men
The phrase "the two men" emphasizes the personal nature of this covenant. It is not just a political or economic agreement but a personal commitment between two leaders. This highlights the importance of personal integrity and trust in relationships, a theme that resonates throughout the Bible.

made a covenant
The Hebrew word for "covenant" is "berit," which implies a solemn and binding agreement. Covenants in the Bible are significant, often involving promises and commitments before God. This covenant between Abraham and Abimelech is a precursor to the many covenants God makes with His people, underscoring the importance of faithfulness and mutual respect. It serves as a reminder of the power of agreements made in good faith and the divine expectation of honoring one's word.

Verse 27. - And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech As the usual covenant presents (cf. 1 Kings 15:19; Isaiah 30:6; Isaiah 39:1). And both of them made a covenant. As already Mature, Aner, and Eshcol had formed a league with the patriarch (vide Genesis 14:13).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So Abraham
אַבְרָהָם֙ (’aḇ·rā·hām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 85: Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation

brought
וַיִּקַּ֤ח (way·yiq·qaḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3947: To take

sheep
צֹ֣אן (ṣōn)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock

and cattle
וּבָקָ֔ר (ū·ḇā·qār)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1241: Beef cattle, ox, a herd

and gave
וַיִּתֵּ֖ן (way·yit·tên)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

them to Abimelech,
לַאֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ (la·’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 40: Abimelech -- 'father is king', a Philistine name, also an Israelite name

and the two men
שְׁנֵיהֶ֖ם (šə·nê·hem)
Number - mdc | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

made
וַיִּכְרְת֥וּ (way·yiḵ·rə·ṯū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant

a covenant.
בְּרִֽית׃ (bə·rîṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1285: A covenant


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OT Law: Genesis 21:27 Abraham took sheep and cattle and gave (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 21:26
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