Devine Scripture

Genesis 21:30

What does Genesis 21:30 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 21:30 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 21:30 means

Abraham explained that Abimelech was to accept the seven ewe lambs from his hand as 'a witness' that Abraham had indeed dug the well in question. This act of giving and receiving the lambs served as a symbolic confirmation of Abraham's ownership and right to the well. It formally resolved the prior dispute, creating a lasting, tangible memorial of their agreement and ensuring Abraham's undisputed claim to the water source through a witnessed transaction.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said, Take these seven lambs from me as a witness that I have made this water-hole.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he saith, `For--the seven lambs thou dost accept from my hand, so that it becometh a witness for me that I have digged this well;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But he said: Thou shalt take seven ewelambs at my hand: that they may be a testimony for me, that I dug this well.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said, That thou take the seven ewe-lambs of my hand, that they may be a witness to me that I have dug this well.

Context

This verse directly answers Abimelech's question from verse 29, clarifying the special significance of the seven lambs. This explanation resolves the earlier dispute over the well, establishing Abraham's ownership through a symbolic legal transaction. This crucial detail secures Abraham's access to a vital resource and gives the newly formed covenant a specific, practical application beyond general peace.

v.29And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves?

v.30This passage

v.31Wherefore he called that place Beer-sheba; because there they sware both of them.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Genesis 31:44

    And now come, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee.

  • Joshua 24:27

    And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness against us; for it hath heard all the words of Jehovah which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness against you, lest ye deny your God.

  • Joshua 22:27

    but it shall be a witness between us and you, and between our generations after us, that we may do the service of Jehovah before him with our burnt-offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace-offerings; that your children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no portion in Jehovah.

  • Genesis 31:52

    This heap be witness, and the pillar be witness, that I will not pass over this heap to thee, and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and this pillar unto me, for harm.

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