Interesting Facts

• Ahuzzath is identified as one of Abimelech’s friends.
• Ahuzzath accompanied King Abimelech and Phichol the chief captain of his army to meet with Isaac.
• Ahuzzath was part of the delegation that sought to make a covenant of peace with Isaac.
• Ahuzzath participated in the swearing of the oath between Abimelech’s group and Isaac.

Genealogy

• The sources do not provide any information regarding Ahuzzath’s ancestry, birth, marital connections, or offspring. He is only identified in relation to King Abimelech as “one of his friends”.

Historical Context

Ahuzzath appears within a narrative concerning the interactions between Isaac and the Philistine king Abimelech in Gerar. This occurred after a famine in the land. The Philistines had previously shown envy towards Isaac due to his increasing wealth. Despite this earlier tension, Abimelech, along with Ahuzzath and Phichol, approached Isaac seeking a covenant, acknowledging that the Lord was with him. This act suggests a shift in the power dynamic or at least a recognition of Isaac’s divinely granted prosperity. The making of covenants was a significant diplomatic and social practice in the ancient Near East, used to establish peaceful relations and mutual obligations. The presence of Abimelech’s close associates, like Ahuzzath, underscores the importance of this treaty for the Philistine kingdom.

Narrative

Ahuzzath’s role in the narrative is limited but significant. He is mentioned as part of the delegation sent by King Abimelech to Isaac. When Isaac questioned their presence, given their past actions of sending him away, the group, including Ahuzzath, responded by acknowledging that they had “seen certainly that the LORD was with thee”. This statement indicates a recognition of Isaac’s favored status and likely motivated their desire for a peaceful agreement. Ahuzzath participated in the ensuing discussions that led to the making of an oath and a covenant between them and Isaac, promising to do him no harm, just as they had not harmed him previously. Following the agreement, Isaac hosted a feast for them, and in the morning, they swore an oath to one another before departing in peace. Ahuzzath’s presence and participation in this event highlight his position as a trusted friend and advisor to King Abimelech, involved in crucial diplomatic efforts to secure peace with a powerful and divinely blessed neighbor. His actions and the words attributed to the delegation suggest a pragmatic approach to maintaining stability in the region.