Genesis 21:33
Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called there on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Abraham's act of planting a tree and worshiping the "everlasting God" here isn't just about finding shade; it marks a deliberate establishment of a sacred space, a visible testament to his enduring faith in a God who is eternal, even as Abraham himself ages. This planting signifies his commitment to honoring God's lasting presence and promises in a specific place, demonstrating that even in a land he was only sojourning in, he recognized God's eternal claim.
After the painful expulsion of Hagar and Ishmael, and then securing peace with the local Philistine ruler through a covenant and a well, Abraham settles for a time in Beersheba. This period of relative peace allows him to establish a place of worship and acknowledge God's enduring presence and faithfulness.
Why did Abraham plant a tree? It wasn't just for shade; it was a profound statement of faith.
In a land where he was a sojourner, Abraham established a place of worship by planting a tamarisk tree. This act, described as planting a 'grove' or 'tamarisk,' served as a visible symbol of his commitment to God, even in a temporary dwelling. It was likely a place for prayer, sacrifice, and communion with the Divine, functioning as a 'roofless temple.' This demonstrates that faith isn't confined to sacred buildings but can be rooted in everyday actions and even in nature itself, creating a space for consistent devotion.
Abraham knew God as his personal God, but here he names Him with a title that echoes through eternity. What does this reveal?
After the trials and the covenant at Beersheba, Abraham calls God 'the Everlasting God' (El Olam). This isn't just another name; it's a declaration of God's eternal nature, contrasting with the fleeting human affairs he had just navigated. While he had previously acknowledged God as 'Most High' (El Elyon) and 'Almighty' (El Shaddai), this title emphasizes God's timelessness. It's a testament to Abraham's growing understanding of the Divine, recognizing that God's promises and presence extend beyond any single event, enduring through all ages. This reminds us that our faith is anchored not in temporary circumstances but in an unchanging, eternal God.
Understand the original words
eshel · Hebrew Noun
A tree known for its ability to survive in arid, desert climates; it is often associated with long-term presence, endurance, and memorial in the patriarchal narratives.
qara' · Hebrew Verb
To proclaim, invoke, or acknowledge the character and authority of Yahweh in worship or petition. It signifies a public confession of reliance upon God.
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God in the Old Testament, representing His self-existence, faithfulness, and holiness.
'olam · Hebrew Adjective
An attribute of God signifying that He is outside of time, existing without beginning or end. It emphasizes His unchanging nature and eternal sovereignty.
Abraham's planting of a tamarisk tree and calling on the name of the Lord in Beersheba marks a moment of establishing a sacred space after the tumultuous events of Ishmael's departure and his covenant with Abimelech, signifying a new phase of settled worship in a place he secured.
c. 2100-2000 BC
Abraham's Covenant with God
God establishes a covenant with Abraham, promising him descendants and a special relationship, setting the stage for his life and legacy.
c. 2050-2000 BC
Birth of Ishmael
Ishmael is born to Abraham and Hagar, an event that leads to future tensions within Abraham's household and with his descendants.
c. 2050-2000 BC— this verse
Dismissal of Hagar and Ishmael
Sarah insists that Hagar and Ishmael be sent away. They wander in the wilderness of Beersheba, where God intervenes to save them.
c. 2050-2000 BC
Covenant at Beersheba
Abraham makes a covenant with Abimelech, the king of the Philistines, securing water rights and peace. This event solidifies Abraham's presence in the region.
This passage directly follows the instruction to destroy idolatrous places of worship, including groves, highlighting the shift from Abraham's possibly legitimate use of a grove for worship to its later forbidden association with pagan practices.
Psalm 90:2This psalm speaks of God's eternal nature ('before the mountains were brought forth... from everlasting to everlasting thou art God'), directly echoing the title 'the Everlasting God' Abraham invoked, emphasizing God's timeless existence.
Isaiah 40:28This verse reveals the Lord as the Creator and Sustainer who does not faint or grow weary, reinforcing the attribute of God as 'everlasting' that Abraham acknowledged, highlighting His boundless power and endurance.
John 1:1This New Testament passage declares 'In the beginning was the Word,' linking Christ's eternal existence to the 'everlasting' nature of God that Abraham proclaimed, showing a continuity of God's eternal being from Genesis to the Gospels.
Romans 1:20This verse states that God's 'eternal power and divine nature' have been clearly perceived 'since the creation of the world' through what has been made, connecting Abraham's understanding of God's everlasting nature to the evidence seen in creation.
calvinGenesis 21:1-34: "And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken."
And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.
Et dixit Deus ad Abraham, Ne displiceat in oculis tuis super puero, et super ancilla tua: in omnibus quae dixerit tibi Sarah, audi vocem ejus: quia in Ishac vocabitur…
ellicottGenesis 21:33: "And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God."
(33) And Abraham planted a grove in Beer-sheba. —Heb., a tamarisk tree. Under a noble tree of this kind, which grows to a great size in hot countries, Saul held his court at Gibeah, and under another his bones were laid at Jabesh ( 1Samuel 22:6 ; 1Samuel 31:13 ). And called there on the name of the Lord, the everlasting God.—Heb., on the name of Jehovah, El ‘olam (comp. Gene…
Abraham's act of planting a tree and worshiping the "everlasting God" here isn't just about finding shade; it marks a deliberate establishment of a sacred space, a visible testament to his enduring faith in a God who is eternal, even as Abraham himself ages. This planting signifies his commitment to honoring God's lasting presence and promises in a specific place, demonstrating that even in a land he was only sojourning in, he recognized God's eternal claim.
After the painful expulsion of Hagar and Ishmael, and then securing peace with the local Philistine ruler through a covenant and a well, Abraham settles for a time in Beersheba. This period of relative peace allows him to establish a place of worship and acknowledge God's enduring presence and faithfulness.
After the painful expulsion of Hagar and Ishmael, and then securing peace with the local Philistine ruler through a covenant and a well, Abraham settles for a time in Beersheba. This period of relative peace allows him to establish a place of worship and acknowledge God's enduring presence and faithfulness.
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"Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called there on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God." — Abraham's act of planting a tree and worshiping the "everlasting God" here isn't just about finding shade; it marks a deliberate establishment of a sacred space, a visible testament to his enduring f…
