Genesis 21:29
“And Abimelech said unto Abraham, What mean these seven ewe lambs which thou hast set by themselves?”
KJV
Read in Genesis 21Meaning
Abimelech requests clarification rather than assuming the meaning of Abraham's symbolic action.
Read carefully
The narrative itself supplies the meaning in the following verse, so speculative readings are unnecessary.
Reflection
Asking what a gesture means can prevent misunderstanding and make an agreement more precise for everyone involved.