Genesis 21:30 - He said, “You shall take these seven ewe lambs from my hand, that it may be a witness to me, that I have dug this well.”
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What does "Genesis 21:30" mean?
This verse from Genesis 21:30 is part of a negotiation and covenant between Abraham and Abimelech, the king of Gerar, regarding a well of water. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"He said, “You shall take these seven ewe lambs from my hand..." Abraham is speaking to Abimelech. He is offering Abimelech seven female sheep (ewe lambs) as a gift. This offering is significant.
"...that it may be a witness to me, that I have dug this well.” This is the crucial part. The ewe lambs are not just a friendly gift. They are a symbolic payment or token that serves as evidence or proof that Abraham was the one who dug the well. By accepting the lambs, Abimelech is acknowledging and agreeing that the well belongs to Abraham and that Abraham was the one who rightfully created it.
In essence, the verse signifies:
Establishing Ownership: The exchange of the lambs is a legally binding agreement (by the standards of their time) that clearly establishes Abraham's ownership of the well.
Bearing Witness: The lambs act as a physical, tangible "witness" to the agreement. In a society without formal written contracts, this type of symbolic exchange was crucial for establishing and remembering agreements.
Preventing Future Disputes: By making this public transaction and creating a witness, Abraham is attempting to prevent future disputes with Abimelech or his people over the ownership or use of the well.
This whole exchange highlights the importance of water resources in the ancient world and the careful steps people took to secure their rights to them. The act of giving and receiving the lambs was a formal way of publicly declaring and validating Abraham's claim to the well.
Genesis 21:30 - He said, “You shall take these seven ewe lambs from my hand, that it may be a witness to me, that I have dug this well.”
What does "Genesis 21:30" mean?
This verse from Genesis 21:30 is part of a negotiation and covenant between Abraham and Abimelech, the king of Gerar, regarding a well of water. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"He said, “You shall take these seven ewe lambs from my hand..." Abraham is speaking to Abimelech. He is offering Abimelech seven female sheep (ewe lambs) as a gift. This offering is significant.
"...that it may be a witness to me, that I have dug this well.” This is the crucial part. The ewe lambs are not just a friendly gift. They are a symbolic payment or token that serves as evidence or proof that Abraham was the one who dug the well. By accepting the lambs, Abimelech is acknowledging and agreeing that the well belongs to Abraham and that Abraham was the one who rightfully created it.
In essence, the verse signifies:
Establishing Ownership: The exchange of the lambs is a legally binding agreement (by the standards of their time) that clearly establishes Abraham's ownership of the well.
Bearing Witness: The lambs act as a physical, tangible "witness" to the agreement. In a society without formal written contracts, this type of symbolic exchange was crucial for establishing and remembering agreements.
Preventing Future Disputes: By making this public transaction and creating a witness, Abraham is attempting to prevent future disputes with Abimelech or his people over the ownership or use of the well.
This whole exchange highlights the importance of water resources in the ancient world and the careful steps people took to secure their rights to them. The act of giving and receiving the lambs was a formal way of publicly declaring and validating Abraham's claim to the well.