Genesis 21:33

21:33 Abraham 1  planted a tamarisk tree 2  in Beer Sheba. There he worshiped the Lord, 3  the eternal God.

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.