The patriarch was dwelling at Beersheba, surrounded by prosperity and honor. He was very rich, and was honored as a mighty prince by the rulers of the land. Thousands of sheep and cattle covered the plains that spread out beyond his encampment. On every side were the tents of his retainers, the home of hundreds of faithful servants. The son of promise had grown up to manhood by his side. Heaven seemed to have crowned with its 148 blessing a life of sacrifice in patient endurance of hope deferred.

Patriarken boede i Beersjeba, omgivet af velstand og ære. Han var meget rig og var æret som en mægtig fyrste af landets herskere. Tusinder af stykker kvæg og får gik og græssede på de sletter, der strakte sig omkring hans lejr. På begge sider lå hans husfolks telte, der tjente som hjem for hundreder af trofaste tjenestefolk. Løftets søn var vokset op til manddom ved hans side. Himmelens velsignelse syntes at have kronet et opofrende liv, som var levet i tålmodig forventning om opfyldelsen af et længe næret håb.