The Covenants of the Patriarchs with Foreigners at Beersheba

The author of this paper seeks the original historical context as well oldest form, structure and concept biblical records covenants Abraham Isaac with local ruler(s) recorded in Gen 21:22–24, 25–33; 26:26–31. patriarchs, who enjoy status foreign/sojourner/ resident land Philistine king, Abimelek, their peaceful agreements are depicted three sources, which very similar to each other terms literary context. Those compared selected Hittite, Babylonian Assyrian royal from 2 millennium BC. methodology adopted research allowed several important formal substantive points contact be noted sources. Through comparison, confirms that 25 33; 26:26–31 reflects two ancient patterns bilateral between monarch an equal or subordinate social partner: grants suzerain-vassal treaties. also discusses socio-cultural legal spectrum Near Eastern procedures how they were re-edited adapted by editors responsible for current version cycles about patriarchs.