^21:24Abraham said, “I swear to do this.”⁴⁷^21:25But Abraham lodged a complaint⁴⁸ against Abimelech concerning a well⁴⁹ that Abimelech’s servants had seized.⁵⁰^21:26“I do not know who has done this thing,” Abimelech replied. “Moreover,⁵¹ you did not tell me. I did not hear about it until today.”

^21:27Abraham took some sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech. The two of them made a treaty.⁵²^21:28Then Abraham set seven ewe lambs apart from the flock by themselves. ^21:29Abimelech asked Abraham, “What is the meaning of these⁵³ seven ewe lambs that you have set apart?” ^21:30He replied, “You must take these seven ewe lambs from my hand as legal proof⁵⁴ that I dug this well.”⁵⁵^21:31That is why he named that place⁵⁶ Beer Sheba,⁵⁷ because the two of them swore⁵⁸ an oath there.

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Footnotes

47 Heb “I swear.” No object is specified in the Hebrew text, but the content of the oath requested by Abimelech is the implied object.
48 The Hebrew verb used here means “to argue; to dispute”; it can focus on the beginning of the dispute (as here), the dispute itself, or the resolution of a dispute (Isa 1:18). Apparently the complaint was lodged before the actual oath was taken.
49 Heb “concerning the matter of the well of water.”
50 The Hebrew verb used here means “to steal; to rob; to take violently.” The statement reflects Abraham’s perspective.
51 Heb “and also.”
52 Heb “cut a covenant.”
53 Heb “What are these?”
54 Heb “that it be for me for a witness.”
55 This well. Since the king wanted a treaty to share in Abraham’s good fortune, Abraham used the treaty to secure ownership of and protection for the well he dug. It would be useless to make a treaty to live in this territory if he had no rights to the water. Abraham consented to the treaty, but added his rider to it.
56 Heb “that is why he called that place.” Some translations render this as an impersonal passive, “that is why that place was called.”
57 The name Beer Sheba (בְּאֵר שָׁבַע, bé’er shava’) means “well of the oath” or “well of the seven.” Both the verb “to swear” and the number “seven” have been used throughout the account. Now they are drawn in as part of the explanation of the significance of the name.
58 The verb forms a wordplay with the name Beer Sheba.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

And Abraham said, “I will swear.”

When Abraham reproved Abimelech about a well of water that Abimelech’s servants had seized, Abimelech said, “I do not know who has done this thing; you did not tell me, and I have not heard of it until today.” So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant. Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock apart. And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs that you have set apart?” He said, “These seven ewe lambs you will take from my hand, that this may be a witness for me that I dug this well.” Therefore that place was called Beersheba, because there both of them swore an oath.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

Abraham said, “I swear it.”

Then Abraham complained to Abimelek about a well of water that Abimelek’s servants had seized. But Abimelek said, “I don’t know who has done this. You did not tell me, and I heard about it only today.”

So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelek, and the two men made a treaty. Abraham set apart seven ewe lambs from the flock, and Abimelek asked Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs you have set apart by themselves?”

He replied, “Accept these seven lambs from my hand as a witness that I dug this well.”

So that place was called Beersheba, because the two men swore an oath there.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

And Abraham said, “I swear it.” But Abraham complained to Abimelech because of the well that Abimelech’s servants had seized.

Abimelech replied, “I don’t know who did this thing. You didn’t report anything to me, so I hadn’t heard about it until today.”

Abraham took flocks and herds and gave them to Abimelech, and the two of them made a covenant. Abraham separated seven ewe lambs from the flock. And Abimelech said to Abraham, “Why have you separated these seven ewe lambs?”

He replied, “You are to accept the seven ewe lambs from me so that this act will serve as my witness that I dug this well.” Therefore that place was called Beer-sheba because it was there that the two of them swore an oath.

NLTNew Living Translation

Abraham replied, “Yes, I swear to it!” Then Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well that Abimelech’s servants had taken by force from Abraham’s servants.

“This is the first I’ve heard of it,” Abimelech answered. “I have no idea who is responsible. You have never complained about this before.”

Abraham then gave some of his sheep, goats, and cattle to Abimelech, and they made a treaty. But Abraham also took seven additional female lambs and set them off by themselves. Abimelech asked, “Why have you set these seven apart from the others?”

Abraham replied, “Please accept these seven lambs to show your agreement that I dug this well.” Then he named the place Beersheba (which means “well of the oath”), because that was where they had sworn the oath.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

And Abraham said, “I swear.” Then Abraham complained to Abimelech on account of the well of water that servants of Abimelech had seized. And Abimelech said, “I do not know who did this thing, neither did you tell me, nor have I heard of it except for today.” And Abraham took sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech. And the two of them made a covenant. Then Abraham set off seven ewe-lambs of the flock by themselves. And Abimelech said to Abraham, “What is the meaning of these seven ewe-lambs that you have set off by themselves?” And he said, “You shall take the seven ewe-lambs from my hand as proof on my behalf that I dug this well.” Therefore that place is called Beersheba, because there the two of them swore an oath.

KJV 1900King James Version

And Abraham said, I will swear. And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech’s servants had violently taken away. And Abimelech said, I wot not who hath done this thing: neither didst thou tell me, neither yet heard I of it, but to day. And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and both of them made a covenant. And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves. And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves? 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. Wherefore he called that place Beer-sheba; because there they sware both of them.

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