Text -- Genesis 21:33-34 (NET)

21:33 Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beer Sheba. There he worshiped the Lord, the eternal God. 21:34 So Abraham stayed in the land of the Philistines for quite some time.

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Gen 21:33

¹ tn Heb “and he”; the referent (Abraham) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

² sn The planting of the tamarisk tree is a sign of Abraham’s intent to stay there for a long time, not a religious act. A growing tree in the Negev would be a lasting witness to God’s provision of water.

³ tn Heb “he called there in the name of the Lord.” The expression refers to worshiping the Lord through prayer and sacrifice (see Gen 4:26; 12:8; 13:4; 26:25). See G. J. Wenham, Genesis (WBC), 1:116, 281.

NET Notes: Gen 21:34

¹ tn Heb “many days.”