Devine Scripture

Genesis 21:32

What does Genesis 21:32 mean?

A plain-English look at Genesis 21:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Genesis 21:32 means

After making the covenant at Beer-sheba, Abimelech and Phicol, his chief captain, departed and returned to the land of the Philistines. This departure signifies the successful conclusion of their negotiations and the formal establishment of peace between Abraham and Abimelech. Their return indicates a resolution to the conflict and the reaffirmation of existing territories, with Abraham remaining in the land as a sojourner.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

So 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

So 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

So they made an agreement at Beer-sheba, and Abimelech and Phicol, the captain of his army, went back to the land of the Philistines.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And they make a covenant in Beer-Sheba, and Abimelech riseth--Phichol also, head of his host--and they turn back unto the land of the Philistines;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And they made a league for the well of oath.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And they made a covenant at Beer-sheba. And Abimelech rose up, and Phichol the captain of his host, and returned into the land of the Philistines.

Context

Following the naming of Beer-sheba and the full establishment of the covenant (verse 31), this verse describes the conclusion of the immediate interaction with Abimelech. Their departure signals the successful resolution of the conflict and the establishment of peace. This allows the chapter to move to Abraham's subsequent actions, showing his continued life of faith and worship in the land.

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

v.32This passage

v.33And Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beer-sheba, and called there on the name of Jehovah, the Everlasting God.

Cross references

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

  • Exodus 13:17

    And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:

  • Genesis 31:53

    The God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge betwixt us. And Jacob sware by the Fear of his father Isaac.

  • Genesis 21:27

    And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and they two made a covenant.

  • Genesis 26:8

    And it came to pass, when he had been there a long time, that Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out at a window, and saw, and, behold, Isaac was sporting with Rebekah his wife.

  • Genesis 10:14

    and Pathrusim, and Casluhim (whence went forth the Philistines), and Caphtorim.

  • Judges 13:1

    And the children of Israel again did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah; and Jehovah delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years.

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