Bible Strands
Genesis 21:32
After they had made the covenant at Beersheba, Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army got up and returned to the land of the Philistines.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records the immediate aftermath of the oath ceremony at Beersheba, noting that Abimelech and his army commander Phicol depart for the Philistine territory.
The words — וַ/יִּכְרְתוּ (va/i.yikh.re.Tu) translates as "and they made," paired with בְּרִית (ve.Rit) meaning "a covenant," denoting the formal ratification of their agreement.
The thread — The covenant's formalization is detailed in Genesis 21:27, where Abraham provides livestock to seal the pact. The departure to the Philistines connects to their lineage traced in Genesis 10:14.
Why it lands — The text marks the conclusion of the diplomatic encounter and the return of foreign rulers to their domain, establishing the geographic and political backdrop for Abraham's subsequent worship at the same site.
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
Thus they made a covenant at Beer–sheba: then Abimelech rose up, and Phichol the chief captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the Philistines.
Cross-references
- Genesis 10:14 the Pathrusites, the Casluhites (from whom the Philistines came), and the Caphtorites.
- 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 21:27 So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant.
- Genesis 26:8 When Isaac had been there a long time, Abimelech king of the Philistines looked down from the window and was surprised to see Isaac caressing his wife Rebekah.
- Genesis 26:14 He owned so many flocks and herds and servants that the Philistines envied him.
- Genesis 31:53 May the God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.” So Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac.
- Exodus 13:17 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them along the road through the land of the Philistines, though it was shorter. For God said, “If the people face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.”
- Judges 13:1 Again the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD, so He delivered them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years.
- 1 Samuel 18:3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.