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Genesis 21:31

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Genesis 21:31 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Wherefore he called that place Beer-sheba. Because there they sware both of them.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Wherefore he called that place Beer-sheba. Because there they sware both of them.
Genesis 21:31 — American Standard Version

Context — Genesis 21

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
28And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.
29And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves?
30And he said, These seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that it may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well.
31Wherefore he called that place Beer-sheba. Because there they sware both of them.
32So they made a covenant at Beer-sheba. And Abimelech rose up, and Phicol the captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the Philistines.
33And [Abraham] planted a tamarisk tree in Beer-sheba, and called there on the name of Jehovah, the Everlasting God.
34And Abraham sojourned in the land of the Philistines many days.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Wherefore he called that place Beersheba, etc.] Either Abraham or Abimelech, or both, called it so; or it may be read impersonally, “therefore the place was called Beersheba” f1240, for two reasons, one implied, the other expressed; one was, because of the seven lambs before mentioned; so the Targum of Jonathan, “and therefore he called the well the well of seven lambs;” “Beer” signifying a well, and “sheba” seven; the other, and which is more certain, being expressed, is as follows; because there they sware both of them; by the living God, to keep the covenant inviolably they had made between them.”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification