And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.
28. seven ewe lambs ] The seven lambs which Abraham here sets apart are to be handed over to Abimelech, if he acknowledges Abraham as the possessor of the well, and ratifies the compact with an oath. The number “seven” ( sheba‘) is one of the explanations of the name “Beer-sheba.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 28. Seven ewe lambs] These were either given as a present, or they were intended as the price of the well; and being accepted by Abimelech, they served as a witness that he had acknowledged Abraham’s right to the well in question.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves. Separate from the sheep and oxen he gave to Abimelech, and from those that were used in making the covenant.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
28. And Abraham set seven ewe-lambs of the flock by themselves. Moses recites another chief point of the covenant; namely, that Abraham made express provision for himself respecting the well, that he should have free use of its water. And he placed in the midst seven lambs, that the king being presented with the honorary gift, might approve and ratify the digging of the well. For the inhabitants might provoke a controversy, on the ground that it was not lawful for a private man, and a stranger, to dig a well; but now, when the public authority of the king intervened, Abraham’s peace was consulted, that no one might disturb him. Many understand lambs here to mean pieces of money coined in the form of lambs, but since mention has previously been made of sheep and oxen, and Moses now immediately subjoins that seven lambs are placed apart, it is absurd, in this connection, to speak of money.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(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 Abrahams 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 Abimelechs 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,
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves. And Abimelech said to Abraham “What do these seven ewe lambs which you have set by themselves mean?” And he said, “You will take these seven ewe lambs of my hand that it may be a witness to me that I have dug this well”.’
The well is so important that Abraham wants it confirmed by a specific ceremony. The ceremony does not necessarily mean that Abimelech does not know the significance of the seven lambs. Indeed we are probably to recognise that he does. There is no point in a ceremony if it is not understood. They are going through the formal ceremony in a generally recognised procedure with stereotyped questions and answers. Abraham sets aside the ewe lambs, Abimelech asks what they mean, then Abraham confirms their significance.
So a solemn agreement is concluded within the larger covenant. It was an ancient custom that the acceptance of a gift included recognition of the just claim of the giver.
The seven ewe lambs were probably intended to signify the whole price paid by Abraham in Gen 21:27, seven being the number of divine perfection and completeness. Alternately they may have been the price paid for use of the specific well. From now on both sides will recognise that the well has been dug by, and its use officially guaranteed to, Abraham and his group.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Gen 21:28 And Abraham set seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.
Ver. 28. By themselves. ] Because for a distinct use; nothing concerning the covenant aforementioned.