Following his treaty with Abimelech, Abraham transitions from a life of constant wandering to a state of permanence in Beersheba. Here, he establishes a firm foothold and dedicates himself to spreading his faith to the masses. By initiating a physical act of planting, he founds a pioneering public institution designed to instill the belief in one God and introduce humanity to the ultimate Guide of time and history.
The nature of what Abraham planted is understood in two primary, complementary ways. The primary approach among commentators is that he physically planted a large tree, a specific species, or even an entire orchard of fruit trees [אבן עזרא, רשב״ם, רד״ק, שד״ל]. Situated near his well, this planting was intended to provide shade and nourishment for weary travelers. It also served as a permanent, living testimony to his ownership of the well and the enduring covenant he struck with the Philistine king [רד״ק, בכור שור]. Conversely, another perspective suggests that he established an inn or hostel dedicated to hospitality, noting that the act of planting in biblical terms can also refer to pitching tents [רש״י, תורה תמימה].
These two interpretations represent two distinct avenues through which Abraham sought to elevate society. Planting an orchard symbolizes the spreading of deep wisdom and the knowledge of truth to intellectually elevated individuals who are capable of profound thought. Establishing an inn, on the other hand, represents drawing the broader masses closer through acts of loving-kindness, caring for their physical needs, and bringing them under the protective wings of the Divine presence [גור אריה]. Abraham meticulously provided for every need of his guests—offering food, drink, and an escort on their journey—understanding that complete, unconditional kindness is the key to opening human hearts [רבנו בחיי].
Through this hospitality, Abraham engaged in prayer [רמב״ן, רבנו בחיי], but more importantly, he used his inn as an educational tool to proclaim and publicize God's name. After serving his guests fine delicacies in the middle of the harsh desert, they naturally sought to thank him. Abraham would refuse their gratitude, explaining that the food did not belong to him, but to the Creator of the world, and he would ask them to bless God instead. If guests stubbornly refused to acknowledge God, Abraham would demand an exorbitant price for the meal, which ultimately compelled them to admit the truth and offer their blessings to God [רש״י, תורה תמימה, חומש קה״ת]. His absolute dedication to spreading faith was so profound that he was willing to risk the local inhabitants repenting and improving their ways. Such mass repentance could have potentially delayed his own descendants from inheriting the Promised Land, yet he took this risk entirely for the sake of Heaven [חתם סופר].
In this context, God is introduced by a new title, the Everlasting God. Most commentators explain that Abraham sought to declare that God is the Master of the entire universe [רש״י], the ancient and eternal force who guides time and preceded creation itself, directly challenging the beliefs of heretics [רמב״ן, ספורנו, רבנו בחיי, ביאור יש״ר]. However, a deeper layer lies in the very concept of eternity, which is linguistically rooted in the idea of being hidden. Until this point, Abraham had publicized God as the Possessor of heaven and earth—a Creator revealed through tangible nature and present reality. But after witnessing King Abimelech's anxiety about the future and his desire to forge a covenant with Abraham and his young son Isaac, Abraham recognized the profound, hidden hand of Divine Providence. He saw how God works behind the scenes, patiently sowing the seeds of the distant future. For this reason, he deliberately planted a tree—a powerful symbol of a long, slow process that begins with a tiny seed and eventually grows into something magnificent. In doing so, he called out to the God who governs hidden time, silently directing history and unseen forces toward a promised future [רש״ר הירש].