Genesis 21:23

But, Abraham, you are not one of my people. You are a stranger living here in my country and I have been kind to you and to all your people. And so, I want you to be kind to me and to all my people. And I want you to promise me that you will never try to trick me, or the family that comes after me. And I want you to say, ‘God, punish me if I break this promise.’”

Barkly (portions)

In The King James Version

Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son’s son: but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned.

In Context

22One day, Abimelek and the leader of his army called Fycol, came to talk to Abraham. It was Abimelek who had nearly married Sarah. Abimelek said to Abraham, “We know that God is very good to you and helps you with everything you do.

24Abraham said, “Abimelek, I promise to do the right thing to you and to your family. And I say, ‘God, I want you to punish me if I break my promise to Abimelek’.”

Read all of Genesis 21

Cross References

Genesis 14:22But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I tell you and I make a strong promise to God, the God who made heaven and the earth, I will not take anything that belongs to you. I will not even take a piece of string or a shoelace that belongs to you. I do not want you to say to anybody, ‘I made Abram rich. I gave him everything.’

Genesis 31:44I think we should put up a pile of stones and make a strong promise to each other, and every time we see these stones, we will remember what we said.”

Genesis 39:3Potifar saw that God helped Joseph do everything just right.

Matthew Henry on Genesis 21:23-33

Abimelech's Covenant with Abraham. ( b. c. 1892.) 22 And it came to pass at that time, that Abimelech and Phichol the chief captain of his host spake unto Abraham, saying, God is with thee in all that thou doest: 23 Now therefore swear unto me here by God that thou wilt not deal falsely with me, nor with my son, nor with my son's son: but according to the kindness that I have done unto thee, thou shalt do unto me, and to the land wherein thou hast sojourned. 24 And Abraham said, I will swear. 25 And Abraham… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Genesis 21:23