Abraham's Seven Ewes and the Sevenfold Punishment of Israel

Midrash Aggadah, Genesis 21:28

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"The seven ewe-lambs of the flock" (Genesis 21:28). Our Rabbis said: Because Abraham gave Abimelech seven ewe-lambs, he was therefore punished, and the Ark of God stood in the field of the Philistines for seven months. The Holy One, blessed be He, said to him: "Abraham, you gave him seven ewe-lambs — by your life, his sons will make war with your sons and will be victorious." Another interpretation: He said to him, "You gave him seven ewe-lambs — by your life, his sons will slay among your sons seven righteous ones." And these are they: Samson, Hophni and Phinehas, and Saul and his three sons. Another interpretation: He said to him, "You gave him seven ewe-lambs — by your life, his sons will destroy seven sanctuaries." And these are they: the Tent of Meeting, Gilgal, Nob, Gibeon, Shiloh, and the Eternal House [the Temple] two times. Another interpretation: He said to him, "You gave him seven ewe-lambs — by your life, my Ark will be abandoned in the field of the Philistines for seven months," as it is said: "And the Ark of the LORD was in the field of the Philistines seven months" (I Samuel 6:1).

Themes

Covenant And ConsequenceDeeds Of The FathersPhilistines And IsraelMeasure For MeasureThe Ark

Biblical References

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