Political agreements and property disputes often require a symbolic act to establish the truth for future generations. To resolve a conflict over a vital water source and prevent any future challenges, Abraham uses a physical gift to seal a legal contract with Abimelech. The agreement serves as an absolute testimony, representing the transaction and the newly formed covenant rather than the animals themselves [רש״י, מזרחי, גור אריה, ברכת אשר, שפתי חכמים, ביאור יש״ר]. The gift acts as a tangible reminder of the treaty and Abraham's rightful ownership of the well [שד״ל, מחוקקי יהודה]. Handing over the livestock functions as a down payment or a formal signature on a legal contract, much like the ancient custom of validating agreements by removing a shoe [ספורנו, ביאור שטיינזלץ, רד״ק]. Offering a shared gift is also a recognized way to strengthen alliances [דברי דוד] and ensures that Abimelech's shepherds will not attempt to steal the well again [בכור שור].
The choice to give exactly seven sheep is highly deliberate. The concept of an oath in the Hebrew language is intrinsically linked to the number seven [אבן עזרא, מחוקקי יהודה, העמק דבר]. Another perspective ties this specific number to the local pagan beliefs of the era. Idolaters customarily swore by the seven known planets, and Abraham chose this number to establish the covenant using concepts that Abimelech would readily understand and respect [מחוקקי יהודה].
The underlying conflict began when the shepherds of both leaders argued over the ownership of the well. To settle the matter, they agreed to a miraculous test where the true owner would be the one toward whom the well's waters naturally rose. The waters indeed rose to meet Abraham [רש״י]. The spiritual logic behind this event is that a stolen well loses its blessing and fails to flow properly. However, when the rightful owner approaches, the blessing returns and the water surges upward [גור אריה].
The sheep themselves played a crucial role in clarifying this miracle. Initially, the water rose specifically toward Abraham's flock [מזרחי]. Anticipating that Abimelech might claim the animals possessed a unique power that attracted the water, Abraham cleverly gifted them to him. Once Abimelech took ownership of the sheep, the water immediately ceased rising toward them. This definitively proved that the miracle occurred solely in the merit of Abraham, rather than the flock [פני דוד].
Despite Abraham's intentions to establish peace, God was deeply displeased with the formation of a covenant with the Philistine king. As a direct consequence of handing over the seven sheep, Abraham's descendants faced severe historical punishments centered around the number seven. In later generations, the Philistines killed seven leaders from his lineage, including Samson, Hophni, Phinehas, and Saul. They also destroyed seven sanctuaries and holy places, such as Shiloh, Nob, and Gibeon, and captured the Ark of the Covenant, holding it in captivity for exactly seven months [הדר זקנים, חזקוני].