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

GENESIS 21:28KJV
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Genesis 21:28 (KJV)

What does Genesis 21:28 mean?

Genesis 21:28 describes Abraham setting aside seven female lambs from his flock, separating them from the rest. This act is part of a formal gesture Abraham makes to mark an agreement or covenant with another person.

In this scene, Abraham is interacting with Abimelech, a local ruler, after a dispute over a well. By setting apart these seven ewe lambs, Abraham is making a visible statement to confirm his ownership of the well and to establish peace between them. The number and kind of animals, as well as the act of setting them apart, are significant in the customs of the time for sealing agreements.

The Hebrew behind Genesis 21:28

  • שֶׁבַע (sheva‘, "seven"): The number seven often symbolizes completeness or a solemn oath in Hebrew culture. Abraham’s choice of seven lambs emphasizes the seriousness and completeness of the agreement.
  • כֶּבֶשׂ (keves, "lamb"): The word refers specifically to a young sheep, here female, which were valuable animals. Offering them highlights the importance Abraham places on the agreement.
  • צֹאן (tso’n, "flock"): This word refers to sheep or goats as a group. The act of separating the lambs from the flock underlines the deliberate nature of Abraham’s gesture.

Why Genesis 21:28 matters

  • Genesis 21:28 clarifies that Abraham is not just making a casual gesture but is performing a recognized act to establish a binding agreement, which helps explain the seriousness of the following verses.
  • The verse highlights the customs of the ancient Near East, where specific numbers and types of animals played a role in formalizing covenants or treaties.
  • This action sets up the explanation in the next verses, where the meaning of the seven lambs is discussed, showing how Abraham’s actions were meant to publicly confirm his rights to the well.

Where else these words appear

“lambs” Hebrew H3535 · used in 8 verses

  • Genesis 21:29 And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves?
  • Leviticus 14:10 And on the eighth day he shall take two he lambs without blemish, and one ewe lamb of the first year without blemish, and three tenth deals of fine flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and one log of oil.
  • 2 Samuel 12:3 But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.

“set” Hebrew H5324 · used in 75 verses

  • Genesis 18:2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
  • Numbers 23:17 And when he came to him, behold, he stood by his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab with him. And Balak said unto him, What hath the LORD spoken?
  • 1 Kings 9:23 These were the chief of the officers that were over Solomon's work, five hundred and fifty, which bare rule over the people that wrought in the work.