John Calvin Commentary Genesis 21:33

"And [Abraham] planted a tamarisk tree in Beer-sheba, and called there on the name of Jehovah, the Everlasting God." — Genesis 21:33 (ASV)

And Abraham planted a grove. From this it appears that more rest was granted to Abraham after the covenant was entered into than he had previously enjoyed; for now he begins to plant trees, which is a sign of a tranquil and fixed habitation, since we never before read that he planted a single shrub.

Therefore, we see how much his condition had improved, because he was permitted to lead (as I may say) a settled life. The assertion that he called on the name of the Lord, I interpret in this way: he instituted anew the solemn worship of God, in order to testify to his gratitude.

Therefore God, after He had led His servant through continually winding paths, gave him some relaxation in his extreme old age.

And He sometimes deals with His faithful people in such a way that, when they have been tossed by various storms, He eventually permits them to breathe freely.

Regarding calling upon God, we know that Abraham, wherever he went, never neglected this religious duty.

Nor was he deterred by dangers from professing himself a worshipper of the true God, although, on this account, he was hated by his neighbors. But as his conveniences for dwelling in the land increased, he became more courageous in professing the worship of God. And because he now lived more securely under the protection of the king, he perhaps wished to bear open testimony that he received even this from God.

For the same reason, the title "the everlasting God" seems to be given, as if Abraham would say that he had not placed his confidence in an earthly king and was not engaging in any new covenant by which he would be departing from the everlasting God. The reason why Moses, using the figure of synecdoche, gives the worship of God the name of invocation, I have explained elsewhere.

Lastly, Abraham is here said to have sojourned in that land in which he, nevertheless, had a settled abode. From this we learn that his mind was not so fixed upon this state of repose as to prevent him from considering what he had previously heard from the mouth of God: that he and his posterity would be strangers until the expiration of four hundred years.

CHAPTER 22.