Genesis 21:29
Genesis 21:29 in Multiple Translations
and Abimelech asked him, “Why have you set apart these seven ewe lambs?”
And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves?
And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves?
Then Abimelech said, What are these seven lambs which you have put on one side?
“What are these seven female lambs for that you've separated from the flock?” Abimelech asked.
Then Abimelech said vnto Abraham, What meane these seuen lambes, which thou hast set by themselues?
And Abimelech saith unto Abraham, 'What [are] they — these seven lambs which thou hast set by themselves?'
Abimelech said to Abraham, “What do these seven ewe lambs, which you have set by themselves, mean?”
And Abimelech said to Abraham, What mean these seven ewe-lambs, which thou hast set by themselves?
And Abimelech said to him: What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set apart?
Abimelech asked Abraham, “What are these seven female lambs that you have separated from the rest of your flock?”
Abimelek asked him, “Why did you put these 7 sheep to one side? What do you mean by that?”
Berean Amplified Bible — Genesis 21:29
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Genesis 21:29 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֹּ֥אמֶר
אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ
אֶל
אַבְרָהָ֑ם
מָ֣ה
הֵ֗נָּה
שֶׁ֤בַע
כְּבָשֹׂת֙
הָ/אֵ֔לֶּה
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
הִצַּ֖בְתָּ
לְ/בַדָּֽ/נָה
וַ/יֹּ֥אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ
ʼĂbîymelek
H40
Ahimelech
N-proper
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
אַבְרָהָ֑ם
ʼAbrâhâm
H85
Abraham
N-proper
מָ֣ה
mâh
H4100
what?
Part
הֵ֗נָּה
hênnâh
H2007
they(fem.)
Pron
שֶׁ֤בַע
shebaʻ
H7651
seven
Adj
כְּבָשֹׂת֙
kibsâh
H3535
ewe-lamb
N-fp
הָ/אֵ֔לֶּה
ʼêl-leh
H428
these
Art | Pron
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
הִצַּ֖בְתָּ
nâtsab
H5324
to stand
V-Hiphil-Perf-2ms
לְ/בַדָּֽ/נָה
bad
H905
alone
Prep | N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Genesis 21:29
וַ/יֹּ֥אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ
ʼĂbîymelek
H40
"Ahimelech"
N-proper
Abimelech was the name of two Philistine kings and two Israelites in the Bible, including a king who met Abraham and a priest who helped David. The name means 'my father is king'.
Definition: A man living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.8.17; son of: Abiathar (H0054); brother of: Jonathan (H3083I) Another spelling of a.chi.me.lekh (אֲחִימֶ֫לֶךְ "Ahimelech" H0288I) § Abimelech = "Melek is father" or "my father is king" 1) king of Gerar in Abraham's time 2) king of Gath in David's time; maybe title of Philistine kings 3) son of Gideon by a concubine 4) priest, son of Abiathar
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: Abimelech. See also: Genesis 20:2; Judges 9:20; Psalms 34:1.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
אַבְרָהָ֑ם
ʼAbrâhâm
H85
"Abraham"
N-proper
Abraham was a key figure in the Bible, the later name of Abram, and father of many children, including Ishmael and Isaac. He is first mentioned in Genesis 11:26 and his story is told throughout the book of Genesis. Abraham's life and faith are still studied today.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.11.26; son of: Terah (H8646); brother of: Nahor (H5152H), Haran (H2039) and Sarah (H8283); married to Sarah (H8283), Hagar (H1904) and Keturah (H6989); father of: Ishmael (H3458), Isaac (H3327), Zimran (H2175), Jokshan (H3370), Medan (H4091), Midian (H4080), Ishbak (H3435) and Shuah (H7744); also called Abram at Gen.11.26--17.5; 2x § Abraham = "father of a multitude" or "chief of multitude" friend of God and founder of Hebrew nation via God's elective covenant
Usage: Occurs in 159 OT verses. KJV: Abraham. See also: Genesis 17:5; Genesis 24:9; Psalms 47:10.
מָ֣ה
mâh
H4100
"what?"
Part
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may
Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.
הֵ֗נָּה
hênnâh
H2007
"they(fem.)"
Pron
A Hebrew pronoun meaning they or them, used to refer to a group of people or things, often in a general sense, like in the Psalms. It can also be used to describe something belonging to them.
Definition: they, these, the same, who A grammatical form of hu (הוּא "he/she/it" H1931)
Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] in, [idiom] such (and such things), their, (into) them, thence, therein, these, they (had), on this side, whose, wherein. See also: Genesis 6:2; Psalms 34:21; Proverbs 6:16.
שֶׁ֤בַע
shebaʻ
H7651
"seven"
Adj
This word means the number seven, which was considered a special or sacred number. It can also mean seven times or a week, and is used in the Bible to describe completeness or perfection. The KJV translates it as seven or sevenfold.
Definition: 1) seven (cardinal number) 1a) as ordinal number 1b) in combination-17, 700 etc Aramaic equivalent: shiv.ah (שִׁבְעָה "seven" H7655)
Usage: Occurs in 344 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] by) seven(-fold),-s, (-teen, -teenth), -th, times). Compare H7658 (שִׁבְעָנָה). See also: Genesis 4:24; Leviticus 23:15; 2 Samuel 21:6.
כְּבָשֹׂת֙
kibsâh
H3535
"ewe-lamb"
N-fp
An ewe-lamb is a young female sheep, often used in sacrifices in the Old Testament. In 1 Samuel 7:9, Samuel offers a lamb to God to ask for His help. This word is also used in 2 Samuel 12:3 to describe a poor man's only lamb.
Definition: ewe-lamb, lamb
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: (ewe) lamb. See also: Genesis 21:28; Numbers 6:14; 2 Samuel 12:6.
הָ/אֵ֔לֶּה
ʼêl-leh
H428
"these"
Art | Pron
This Hebrew word is used to point out specific people or things, like saying 'these' or 'those'. It appears in the book of Genesis, where God says 'let there be light' and separates the light from the darkness.
Definition: 1) these 1a) used before antecedent 1b) used following antecedent Aramaic equivalent: el.leh (אֵלֶּה "these" H0429)
Usage: Occurs in 697 OT verses. KJV: an-(the) other; one sort, so, some, such, them, these (same), they, this, those, thus, which, who(-m). See also: Genesis 2:4; Exodus 35:1; Deuteronomy 1:35.
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
הִצַּ֖בְתָּ
nâtsab
H5324
"to stand"
V-Hiphil-Perf-2ms
To stand or station oneself, either physically or as an appointed official. This word is used in various contexts, including setting up a monument or establishing a leader. It can also mean to stand firm or be established in a position.
Definition: 1) to stand, take one's stand, stand upright, be set (over), establish 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to station oneself, take one's stand 1a2) to stand, be stationed 1a3) to stand, take an upright position 1a4) to be stationed, be appointed 1a5) deputy, prefect, appointed, deputed (subst) 1a6) to stand firm 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to station, set 1b2) to set up, erect 1b3) to cause to stand erect 1b4) to fix, establish 1c) (Hophal) to be fixed, be determined, be stationary
Usage: Occurs in 75 OT verses. KJV: appointed, deputy, erect, establish, [idiom] Huzzah (by mistake for a proper name), lay, officer, pillar, present, rear up, set (over, up), settle, sharpen, establish, (make to) stand(-ing, still, up, upright), best state. See also: Genesis 18:2; 1 Samuel 15:12; Psalms 39:6.
לְ/בַדָּֽ/נָה
bad
H905
"alone"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word 'bad' can mean alone, apart, or a separate part of something, like a branch or a bar. It's used to describe something that's only or except for something else.
Definition: : pole 1) alone, by itself, besides, a part, separation, being alone 1a) separation, alone, by itself 1a1) only (adv) 1a2) apart from, besides (prep) 1b) part 1c) parts (eg limbs, shoots), bars
Usage: Occurs in 179 OT verses. KJV: alone, apart, bar, besides, branch, by self, of each alike, except, only, part, staff, strength. See also: Genesis 2:18; Judges 20:15; Psalms 51:6.
Study Notes — Genesis 21:29
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Covenant at Beersheba
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,
29and Abimelech asked him, “Why have you set apart these seven ewe lambs?”
30He replied, “You are to accept the seven ewe lambs from my hand as my witness that I dug this well.” 31So that place was called Beersheba, because it was there that the two of them swore an oath.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Samuel 15:14 | But Samuel replied, “Then what is this bleating of sheep and lowing of cattle that I hear?” |
| 2 | Genesis 33:8 | “What do you mean by sending this whole company to meet me?” asked Esau. “To find favor in your sight, my lord,” Jacob answered. |
| 3 | Exodus 12:26 | When your children ask you, ‘What does this service mean to you?’ |
Genesis 21:29 Summary
[In Genesis 21:29, Abimelech asked Abraham about the seven ewe lambs because he wanted to understand their significance. This question shows that Abimelech valued clear communication and mutual understanding in their relationship. Just like Abimelech, we should seek to understand the intentions and actions of others, as encouraged in Proverbs 4:7. By doing so, we can build stronger and more meaningful relationships, based on trust and open communication, as seen in the covenant between Abraham and Abimelech (Genesis 21:27-31).]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Abimelech ask Abraham about the seven ewe lambs?
Abimelech asked about the seven ewe lambs because he noticed they were set apart from the rest of the flock, and he was curious about their significance, as seen in Genesis 21:29. This question shows Abimelech's interest in understanding the customs and actions of Abraham.
What is the significance of the seven ewe lambs in this context?
The seven ewe lambs represented a witness to the covenant between Abraham and Abimelech, as Abraham explained in Genesis 21:30. This act of setting apart the lambs was a way of confirming their agreement and ensuring that both parties would remember their commitment to each other.
How does this interaction between Abraham and Abimelech relate to their covenant?
The conversation about the seven ewe lambs was a crucial part of the covenant-making process between Abraham and Abimelech, as described in Genesis 21:27-31. It highlights the importance of clear communication and mutual understanding in forming and maintaining agreements, similar to the covenant between God and His people in Exodus 19:5-6.
What can we learn from Abimelech's question in this verse?
Abimelech's question demonstrates the value of seeking clarification and understanding in our interactions with others, as encouraged in Proverbs 4:7. By asking about the seven ewe lambs, Abimelech showed that he was interested in building a strong and meaningful relationship with Abraham, based on trust and open communication.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways we can apply the principle of seeking clarification and understanding in our own relationships, just like Abimelech did in Genesis 21:29?
- How can we use everyday objects or actions to represent our commitment to others, as Abraham used the seven ewe lambs to symbolize his covenant with Abimelech?
- In what ways can we demonstrate our trust in God's provision and timing, as Abraham did when he gave Abimelech the sheep and cattle in Genesis 21:27?
- What are some covenants or agreements we have made with others, and how can we ensure that we fulfill our commitments, just like Abraham and Abimelech did in Genesis 21:31?
Gill's Exposition on Genesis 21:29
And Abimelech said unto Abraham,.... Observing what he had done, and not knowing the design of it: what [mean] these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 21:29
And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on Genesis 21:29
Genesis 21:29 And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What [mean] these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves? Genesis 21:30 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.Ver. 29, 30. These seven ewe-lambs.] Wherewith I will buy my peaceable enjoyment of this well, for the future. That they may be a witness.] A means to prevent contention, which is sooner stirred than stinted. And I have not observed, saith one, that many have been healed by going into troubled waters, though moved by the best angels of the Church.
Sermons on Genesis 21:29
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Print of His Wounds in Your Life by Erlo Stegen | Erlo Stegen emphasizes the importance of living a life that reflects the wounds of Christ, urging believers to be examples of purity and faithfulness in a promiscuous world. He hig |
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The Blood of the Lamb by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the significance of the sacrificial lamb in the Bible. He explains that the lamb's death was necessary for the nation and the world, as it sy |
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The Standing Ordinances of Religion by J.H. Newman | J.H. Newman preaches about the importance of adhering to the Standing Ordinances of Religion, emphasizing the perpetuation of doctrines through ordinances, the embodiment of unseen |