Genesis 21:24
New International Version
Abraham said, “I swear it.”

New Living Translation
Abraham replied, “Yes, I swear to it!”

English Standard Version
And Abraham said, “I will swear.”

Berean Standard Bible
And Abraham replied, “I swear it.”

King James Bible
And Abraham said, I will swear.

New King James Version
And Abraham said, “I will swear.”

New American Standard Bible
Abraham said, “I swear it.”

NASB 1995
Abraham said, “I swear it.”

NASB 1977
And Abraham said, “I swear it.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Abraham said, “I swear it.”

Amplified Bible
And Abraham said, “I will swear.”

Christian Standard Bible
And Abraham said, “I swear it.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And Abraham said, “I swear it.”

American Standard Version
And Abraham said, I will swear.

Contemporary English Version
And so, Abraham promised he would.

English Revised Version
And Abraham said, I will swear.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Abraham said, "I so swear."

Good News Translation
Abraham said, "I promise."

International Standard Version
And Abraham replied, "I agree!"

Majority Standard Bible
And Abraham replied, ?I swear it.?

NET Bible
Abraham said, "I swear to do this."

New Heart English Bible
And Abraham said, "I swear."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Abraham said, I will swear.

World English Bible
Abraham said, “I will swear.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Abraham says, “I swear.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Abraham saith, 'I -- I do swear.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Abraham will say, I will swear.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Abraham said: I will swear.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Abraham said, “I will swear.”

New American Bible
Abraham replied, “I so swear.”

New Revised Standard Version
And Abraham said, “I swear it.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Abraham said, I will swear.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Abraham said, “I shall swear.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Abraham said: 'I will swear.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Abraam said, I will swear.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Covenant at Beersheba
23Now, therefore, swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or descendants. Show to me and to the country in which you reside the same kindness that I have shown to you.” 24And Abraham replied, “I swear it.” 25But when Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well that Abimelech’s servants had seized,…

Cross References
Genesis 26:31
And they got up early the next morning and swore an oath to each other. Then Isaac sent them on their way, and they left him in peace.

Genesis 31:44-53
Come now, let us make a covenant, you and I, and let it serve as a witness between you and me.” / So Jacob picked out a stone and set it up as a pillar, / and he said to his relatives, “Gather some stones.” So they took stones and made a mound, and there by the mound they ate. ...

Joshua 9:15
And Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them.

1 Samuel 20:16-17
So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the LORD hold David’s enemies accountable.” / And Jonathan had David reaffirm his vow out of love for him, for Jonathan loved David as he loved himself.

1 Samuel 24:21-22
So now, swear to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s house.” / So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.

1 Samuel 30:15
“Will you lead me to these raiders?” David asked. And the man replied, “Swear to me by God that you will not kill me or deliver me into the hand of my master, and I will lead you to them.”

2 Samuel 21:2
At this, David summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not Israelites, but a remnant of the Amorites. The Israelites had taken an oath concerning them, but in his zeal for Israel and Judah, Saul had sought to kill them.)

1 Kings 5:12
And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as He had promised him. There was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty.

2 Kings 11:4
Then in the seventh year, Jehoiada sent for the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, and the guards, and had them brought into the house of the LORD. There he made a covenant with them and put them under oath. He showed them the king’s son

Psalm 15:4
who despises the vile but honors those who fear the LORD, who does not revise a costly oath,

Psalm 24:4
He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully.

Proverbs 12:22
Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.

Proverbs 20:25
It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows.

Matthew 5:37
Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Anything more comes from the evil one.

Matthew 26:72-74
And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man!” / After a little while, those standing nearby came up to Peter. “Surely you are one of them,” they said, “for your accent gives you away.” / At that he began to curse and swear to them, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed.


Treasury of Scripture

And Abraham said, I will swear.

Genesis 14:13
And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram.

Romans 12:18
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Hebrews 6:16
For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.

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Abraham Oath Swear
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Abraham Oath Swear
Genesis 21
1. Isaac is born, and circumcised.
6. Sarah's joy.
8. Isaac is weaned.
9. Hagar and Ishmael sent away.
15. Hagar in distress.
17. The angel relieves and comforts her.
23. Abimelech's covenant with Abraham at Beersheba.














And Abraham replied
Abraham, originally named Abram, is a central figure in the biblical narrative, known for his faith and obedience to God. His reply here is part of a dialogue with Abimelech, the king of Gerar. This interaction follows a series of events where God has shown His faithfulness to Abraham, including the birth of Isaac. Abraham's response is significant as it reflects his integrity and commitment to peaceful relations with his neighbors. This moment is part of a larger narrative where Abraham's character is tested and refined.

“I swear it.”
The act of swearing an oath in ancient times was a solemn and binding commitment. In the context of Genesis 21, Abraham is making a covenant with Abimelech regarding the ownership of a well. This well, located in Beersheba, becomes a significant site in biblical history. The oath signifies a mutual agreement and trust between Abraham and Abimelech, highlighting the importance of oaths in maintaining peace and justice. This act of swearing also prefigures the New Testament teachings on the importance of truthfulness and integrity, as seen in Jesus' teachings in Matthew 5:37, where He emphasizes letting one's "yes" be "yes" and "no" be "no."

Persons / Places / Events
1. Abraham
The central figure in this passage, Abraham is the patriarch of the Israelites, known for his faith and obedience to God. In this context, he is making a solemn oath.

2. Abimelech
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, Abimelech is the king of Gerar who interacts with Abraham in the surrounding account. He seeks a covenant with Abraham due to God's evident blessing on him.

3. Beersheba
The location where this covenant is made, Beersheba becomes a significant place in biblical history, often associated with oaths and agreements.

4. Covenant
The event in this passage revolves around the making of a covenant between Abraham and Abimelech, signifying peace and mutual respect.

5. Oath
The act of swearing an oath is central to this verse, highlighting the seriousness and binding nature of Abraham's promise.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Integrity
Abraham's willingness to swear an oath underscores the importance of integrity and keeping one's word. As believers, we are called to be people of our word, reflecting God's faithfulness.

The Role of Covenants
This passage highlights the significance of covenants in biblical times. Understanding covenants helps us grasp the depth of God's promises to His people and the seriousness of our commitments to others.

Peaceful Relations
Abraham's interaction with Abimelech demonstrates the value of seeking peace and mutual respect with others, even those outside of our immediate faith community.

God's Blessing as a Witness
Abimelech's desire for a covenant with Abraham is driven by the recognition of God's blessing on Abraham's life. Our lives should similarly reflect God's presence, drawing others to seek peace and understanding.Verse 24. - And Abraham said, I will swear. Only before concluding the agreement there was a matter of a more personal character that required settlement.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And Abraham
אַבְרָהָ֔ם (’aḇ·rā·hām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 85: Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation

replied,
וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“I
אָנֹכִ֖י (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

swear it.”
אִשָּׁבֵֽעַ׃ (’iš·šā·ḇê·a‘)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7650: To seven oneself, swear


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OT Law: Genesis 21:24 Abraham said I will swear (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 21:23
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