Phicol is a biblical figure mentioned in the Book of Genesis, specifically in the context of the patriarchal narratives involving Abraham and Isaac. He is identified as the commander of the army of Abimelech, the king of Gerar. Phicol's interactions with the patriarchs highlight themes of diplomacy, covenant-making, and the recognition of God's favor upon His chosen people.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 21:22-32: Phicol first appears in the narrative concerning Abraham. The passage describes how Abimelech, accompanied by Phicol, approaches Abraham to establish a covenant. Recognizing that God is with Abraham in all that he does, Abimelech seeks a treaty to ensure peaceful relations. Abraham agrees, but first addresses a grievance regarding a well of water that Abimelech's servants had seized. The two parties resolve the issue, and Abraham sets apart seven ewe lambs as a witness that he had dug the well. The place is named Beersheba, meaning "Well of the Oath," signifying the covenant made between them. The text states: "So they made a covenant at Beersheba, and Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army got up and returned to the land of the Philistines" (Genesis 21:32).

2. Genesis 26:26-31: Phicol is mentioned again in the context of Isaac's life. After a series of disputes over wells between Isaac's herdsmen and those of Gerar, Abimelech, along with Phicol and his adviser Ahuzzath, visits Isaac. They acknowledge that the LORD has blessed Isaac and seek to establish a peace treaty. Isaac prepares a feast, and the next morning, they swear an oath to each other, resulting in a peaceful departure. The passage reads: "Then Isaac made a feast for them, and they ate and drank. They got up early in the morning and swore an oath to each other. Then Isaac sent them on their way, and they departed from him in peace" (Genesis 26:30-31).

Historical and Theological Context:

Phicol's role as the commander of Abimelech's army suggests a position of significant authority and responsibility. His presence in the negotiations with both Abraham and Isaac underscores the importance of these covenants in maintaining peace and mutual respect between the patriarchs and the surrounding nations. The interactions with Phicol reflect the broader biblical theme of God's providence and blessing upon His chosen people, as even foreign leaders recognize the divine favor upon Abraham and Isaac.

The covenants made at Beersheba serve as a testament to God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises to the patriarchs. These agreements not only secure the immediate safety and prosperity of Abraham and Isaac but also foreshadow the enduring legacy of God's covenant with Israel. Phicol's involvement in these events highlights the intersection of divine purpose and human agency in the unfolding narrative of salvation history.Great, the chief captain of the army of Abimelech, the Philistine king of Gerar. He entered into an alliance with Abraham with reference to a certain well which, from this circumstance, was called Beersheba (q.v.), "the well of the oath" (Genesis 21:22, 32; 26:26). PHICOL

fi'-kol (pikhol, Phikol; King James Version Phichol): The captain of the host of the Philistine king Abimelech of Gerar (Genesis 21:22; Genesis 26:26).

6369. Pikol -- commander of Abimelech's army
... 6368, 6369. Pikol. 6370 . commander of Abimelech's army. Transliteration:
Pikol Phonetic Spelling: (pee-kole') Short Definition: Phicol. ...
/hebrew/6369.htm - 6k

Book 12 Footnotes
... B. XIV. ch.10. sect.22, 23; B. XVI. ch.2. sect.4. [13] The name of this place, Phicol,
is the very same with that of the chief captain of Abimelech's host, in ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 12 footnotes.htm

Chapter xxi
... 22, 23. It came to pass at that time that Abimelech and Phicol, the captain of his
army, said to Abraham: God is with thee in all that thou doest. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxi.htm

How Antiochus Made a League with Ptolemy and How Onias Provoked ...
... was the sister of Onias the high priest, who informed him of the coming of the
ambassador; for he was then sojourning at a village named Phicol, [13] where he ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how antiochus made.htm

Chapter xxvi
... regions? 26, 27. And Abimelech came to him from Gerar together with Ahuzzath,
his friend, and Phicol, the captain of his army. And ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxvi.htm

Here Followeth the Life of Abraham
... That same time said Abimelech, and Phicol the prince of his host, unto Abraham:
Our Lord is with thee in all things that thou doest. ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here followeth the life of.htm

Phicol (3 Occurrences)
... 26:26). Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PHICOL. fi'-kol (pikhol ... 26:26).
Multi-Version Concordance Phicol (3 Occurrences). Genesis 21:22 ...
/p/phicol.htm - 8k

Forces (123 Occurrences)
... Genesis 21:22 It happened at that time, that Abimelech and Phicol the captain of
his army spoke to Abraham, saying, "God is with you in all that you do. ...
/f/forces.htm - 39k

Abim'elech (58 Occurrences)
... Genesis 21:22 And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phicol the captain
of his host spoke unto Abraham, saying: 'God is with thee in all that ...
/a/abim'elech.htm - 22k

Ahuzzath (1 Occurrence)
... He together with Phicol, commander of the army, accompanied their sovereign
to Beersheba to make a covenant with Isaac (Genesis 26:26). ...
/a/ahuzzath.htm - 7k

Commander (111 Occurrences)
... Genesis 21:32 So they made a covenant at Beersheba. Abimelech rose up with Phicol,
the captain of his army, and they returned into the land of the Philistines. ...
/c/commander.htm - 37k

Abimelech (63 Occurrences)
... Genesis 21:22 It happened at that time, that Abimelech and Phicol the captain of
his army spoke to Abraham, saying, "God is with you in all that you do. ...
/a/abimelech.htm - 36k

Philadelphia (2 Occurrences)

/p/philadelphia.htm - 10k

Captain (167 Occurrences)
... Genesis 21:22 It happened at that time, that Abimelech and Phicol the captain of
his army spoke to Abraham, saying, "God is with you in all that you do. ...
/c/captain.htm - 53k

Personal (15 Occurrences)
... NAS). Genesis 26:26 Then Abimelech went to him from Gerar, and Ahuzzath
his friend, and Phicol the captain of his army. (See NIV). ...
/p/personal.htm - 11k

Phichol (3 Occurrences)

/p/phichol.htm - 7k

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