Genesis 21:28
New International Version
Abraham set apart seven ewe lambs from the flock,

New Living Translation
But Abraham also took seven additional female lambs and set them off by themselves.

English Standard Version
Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock apart.

Berean Standard Bible
Abraham separated seven ewe lambs from the flock,

King James Bible
And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.

New King James Version
And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.

New American Standard Bible
But Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.

NASB 1995
Then Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.

NASB 1977
Then Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.

Amplified Bible
Then Abraham set apart seven ewe lambs of the flock,

Christian Standard Bible
Abraham separated seven ewe lambs from the flock.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Abraham separated seven ewe lambs from the flock.

American Standard Version
And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.

Contemporary English Version
Abraham separated seven female lambs from his flock of sheep,

English Revised Version
And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Abraham set apart seven female lambs from the flock.

Good News Translation
Abraham separated seven lambs from his flock,

International Standard Version
Then Abraham set aside seven ewe lambs,

Majority Standard Bible
Abraham separated seven ewe lambs from the flock,

NET Bible
Then Abraham set seven ewe lambs apart from the flock by themselves.

New Heart English Bible
Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Abraham set seven ewe-lambs of the flock by themselves.

World English Bible
Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Abraham sets seven lambs of the flock by themselves.

Young's Literal Translation
and Abraham setteth seven Lambs of the flock by themselves.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Abraham set, seven ewe lambs of the sheep alone.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Abraham set apart seven ewe lambs of the flock.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Abraham set aside seven female lambs from the flock.

New American Bible
Abraham also set apart seven ewe lambs of the flock,

New Revised Standard Version
Abraham set apart seven ewe lambs of the flock.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Abraham set seven ewes of sheep by themselves.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Abraham set seven ewe-lambs of the flock by themselves.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Abraam set seven ewe-lambs by themselves.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Covenant at Beersheba
27So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant. 28Abraham separated seven ewe lambs from the flock, 29and Abimelech asked him, “Why have you set apart these seven ewe lambs?”…

Cross References
Genesis 15:9-10
And the LORD said to him, “Bring Me a heifer, a goat, and a ram, each three years old, along with a turtledove and a young pigeon.” / So Abram brought all these to Him, split each of them down the middle, and laid the halves opposite each other. The birds, however, he did not cut in half.

Genesis 31:44-54
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. ...

Exodus 12:3-5
Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man must select a lamb for his family, one per household. / If the household is too small for a whole lamb, they are to share with the nearest neighbor based on the number of people, and apportion the lamb accordingly. / Your lamb must be an unblemished year-old male, and you may take it from the sheep or the goats.

Leviticus 1:10
If, however, one’s offering is a burnt offering from the flock—from the sheep or goats—he is to present an unblemished male.

Deuteronomy 17:1
You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep with any defect or serious flaw, for that is detestable to the LORD your God.

1 Samuel 18:4
And Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt.

2 Samuel 24:24
“No,” replied the king, “I insist on paying a price, for I will not offer to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

1 Kings 8:63
And Solomon offered as peace offerings to the LORD 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. So the king and all the Israelites dedicated the house of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 7:5
And King Solomon offered a sacrifice of 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. So the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.

Isaiah 53:7
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.

Jeremiah 34:18-19
And those who have transgressed My covenant and have not fulfilled the terms of the covenant they made before Me, I will treat like the calf they cut in two in order to pass between its pieces. / The officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the court officials, the priests, and all the people of the land who passed between the pieces of the calf,

Ezekiel 45:15
And one sheep shall be given from each flock of two hundred from the well-watered pastures of Israel. These are for the grain offerings, burnt offerings, and peace offerings, to make atonement for the people, declares the Lord GOD.

Hosea 6:6
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Matthew 5:23-24
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, / leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

Matthew 26:28
This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.


Treasury of Scripture

And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.

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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.














Abraham
The name "Abraham" is derived from the Hebrew "Avraham," meaning "father of a multitude." This name was given by God as a covenant promise that Abraham would be the father of many nations (Genesis 17:5). Abraham is a central figure in the Bible, known for his faith and obedience to God. His actions often serve as a model for faithfulness and trust in God's promises. In this context, Abraham's actions are part of a covenantal agreement, reflecting his role as a patriarch and a man of integrity.

set apart
The phrase "set apart" is significant in biblical terms, often indicating something that is consecrated or dedicated for a specific purpose. In Hebrew, the concept of setting apart is closely related to holiness, which means to be distinct or separate for God's use. Here, Abraham's act of setting apart the lambs signifies a deliberate and meaningful gesture, likely indicating a formal agreement or covenant. It underscores the importance of intentionality and purpose in our actions, especially in matters of faith and relationships.

seven
The number "seven" in the Bible often symbolizes completeness or perfection, as seen in the creation week where God rested on the seventh day. In this context, the use of seven ewe lambs may indicate the completeness or fullness of the covenant being established. It reflects the idea that God's covenants are whole and perfect, and that human agreements should strive to reflect this divine completeness.

ewe lambs
"Ewe lambs" are young female sheep, and in biblical times, they were considered valuable livestock. The choice of ewe lambs for this covenantal act may symbolize innocence, purity, and the potential for future growth and prosperity. In a broader spiritual sense, it can remind believers of the sacrificial system and the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

from the flock
The phrase "from the flock" indicates that these lambs were selected from a larger group, emphasizing the idea of choice and selection. In biblical narratives, the flock often represents God's people, and the act of choosing from the flock can symbolize God's selection of individuals for specific purposes. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and His ability to call and set apart those whom He chooses for His divine purposes.

(28) Seven ewe lambs.--The word in Hebrew for swearing is a passive verb, literally signifying "to be sevened," that is, done or confirmed by seven. In this ancient narrative we see a covenant actually thus made binding. Seven ewe lambs are picked out and placed by themselves, and by accepting these Abimelech bound himself to acknowledge and respect Abraham's title to the well. Apparently this manner of ratifying an oath was unknown to the Philistines, as Abimelech asks, "What mean these seven ewe lambs?" but it is equally possible that this question was dictated by the rules of Oriental courtesy. When Abraham had picked out the lambs, it became Abimelech's duty to ask what was the purpose of the act, which was then explained, and as soon as the lambs were accepted, the ratification was complete,

Verses 28-30. - And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves (designing by another covenant to secure himself against future invasion of Isis rights). 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 this peculiar kind of oath never occurs again in Old Testament history is no proof of the mythical character of the narrative (Bohlen); on the contrary, "that the custom existed in primitive Hebrew times is shown by the word נִשְׁבַּע, which had early passed into the language, and which would be inexplicable without the existence of such a custom" (Havernick) - that I have digged this well.

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

separated
וַיַּצֵּ֣ב (way·yaṣ·ṣêḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5324: To take one's stand, stand

seven
שֶׁ֛בַע (še·ḇa‘)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 7651: Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number

ewe lambs
כִּבְשֹׂ֥ת (kiḇ·śōṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 3535: Ewe lamb

from the flock,
הַצֹּ֖אן (haṣ·ṣōn)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock


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OT Law: Genesis 21:28 Abraham set seven ewe lambs (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 21:27
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