Bible Strands
Genesis 21:27
So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Abraham acts toward Abimelech at the conclusion of their boundary dispute, following Abimelech’s claim of ignorance regarding the well incident. The two men formalize their agreement through this material exchange.
The words — The verb כָּרַת (karat) translates literally as “to cut” and appears in וַ/יִּכְרְתוּ (vayikhtu), “and they cut [a covenant].” This lexical root anchors the agreement in ancient Near Eastern ritual practice.
The thread — The act of cutting a covenant between leaders recurs in Genesis 26:28 and Genesis 31:44, where mutual oaths formalize political or familial boundaries.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that agreements require tangible demonstration of goodwill before relational or legal terms are settled. Readers must account for how material concessions precede and secure verbal commitments.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and both of them made a covenant.
Cross-references
- Genesis 14:22 But Abram replied to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the LORD God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth,
- Genesis 26:28 “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
- Genesis 31:44 Come now, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it serve as a witness between you and me.”
- 1 Samuel 18:3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.
- Proverbs 17:8 A bribe is a charm to its giver; wherever he turns, he succeeds.
- Proverbs 18:16 A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.
- Proverbs 18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.
- Proverbs 21:14 A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.
- Isaiah 32:8 But a noble man makes honorable plans; he stands up for worthy causes.
- Ezekiel 17:13 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,