Genesis 21:25

Genesis 21:25 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech’s servants had violently taken away.
• New International Version (NIV)Then Abraham complained to Abimelek about a well of water that Abimelek’s servants had seized.
• English Standard Version (ESV)When Abraham reproved Abimelech about a well of water that Abimelech's servants had seized,
• New King James Version (NKJV)Then Abraham rebuked Abimelech because of a well of water which Abimelech’s servants had seized.

Context of Genesis 21:25

23so now, swear to me here by God that you will not deal unfairly with me [by breaking any agreements we have] or with my son or with my descendants, but as I have treated you with kindness, you shall do the same to me and to the land in which you have sojourned (temporarily lived).” 24And Abraham said, “I will swear.” Then Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well of water which the servants of Abimelech had [violently] seized [from him], 26Abimelech said, “I do not know who did this thing. Indeed, you did not tell me, and I did not hear of it until today.” 27So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant (binding agreement).

Genesis 21:25 word by word

וְהוֹכִ֥חַ אַבְרָהָ֖ם אֶת־אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ עַל־אֹדוֹת֙ בְּאֵ֣ר הַמַּ֔יִם אֲשֶׁ֥ר גָּזְל֖וּ עַבְדֵ֥י אֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And Abrahamאַבְרָהָם'abrâhâm · AbrahamH85
• reprovedיָכַחyâkach · to rebukeH3198
• Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֫לֶךְ'ăbîymelek · AbimelechH40
• becauseאוֹדָה'ôdôth 'ôdôth · causeH182
• of a wellבְּאֵרbe'êr · wellH875
• of waterמַיmayim · waterH4325
• servantsעֶ֫בֶד‛ebed · servant/slaveH5650
• had violently taken awayגָּזַלgâzal · to plunderH1497

Cross-references for Genesis 21:25

• Genesis 26:15Now all the wells which his father’s servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines stopped up by filling them with dirt.
• Genesis 29:8But they said, “We cannot [leave] until all the flocks are gathered together, and the shepherds roll the stone from the mouth of the well; then we will water the sheep.”
• Exodus 2:15When Pharaoh heard about this matter, he tried to kill Moses. Then Moses fled from Pharaoh’s presence and took refuge in the land of Midian, where he sat down by a well.
• Judges 1:15She said to him, “Give me a blessing; since you have given me the land of the Negev (South country), give me springs of water, too.” So Caleb gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.
• Proverbs 17:10A reprimand goes deeper into one who has understanding and a teachable spirit Than a hundred lashes into a fool.
• Proverbs 25:9Argue your case with your neighbor himself [before you go to court]; And do not reveal another’s secret,
• Proverbs 27:5Better is an open reprimand [of loving correction] Than love that is hidden.
• Matthew 18:15“If your brother sins , go and show him his fault in private; if he listens and pays attention to you, you have won back your brother.
• Genesis 13:7And there was strife and quarreling between the herdsmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdsmen of Lot’s cattle. Now the Canaanite and the Perizzite were living in the land at that same time [making grazing of the livestock difficult].
• Exodus 2:16Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters; and they came and drew water [from the well where Moses was resting] and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock.

Commentaries on Genesis 21:25

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 25Abraham reproved Abimelech - Wells were of great consequence in those hot countries, and especially where the flocks were numerous, because the water was scarce, and digging to find it was accompanied with much expense of time and labor.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1-34Verses 1-34 - The Birth of Isaac 7. מלל mı̂lēl “speak,” an ancient and therefore solemn and poetical word. 14. חמת chêmet “bottle,” akin to חמה chāmâh “surround, enclose,” and הוּם chûm “black. באר שׁבע beêr -sheba‛ Beer-sheba, “well of seven.” 22. פיכל pı̂ykol Pikhol, “mouth or spokesman of all.” 23. נין nı̂yn “offspring, kin;” related: “sprout, flourish.” נכד neked “progeny,” perhaps “acquaintance,” cognate with נגד ngd “be before” (the eyes) and…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 22-34Verses 22-34 Abimelech felt sure that the promises of God would be fulfilled to Abraham. It is wise to connect ourselves with those who are blessed of God; and we ought to requite kindness to those who have been kind to us. Wells of water are scarce and valuable in eastern countries. Abraham took care to have his title to the well allowed, to prevent disputes in future. No more can be expected from an honest man than that he be ready to do right, as soon…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 25The theme of the well appears again (see 16:14; 21:19). God provided water, symbolizing blessing, in the dry wilderness. Later, he even brought water from a rock for Israel (Exodus 15:22–27; 17:1–7; Numbers 20:1–13).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 25-3125-31. And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well--Wells were of great importance to a pastoral chief and on the successful operation of sinking a new one, the owner was solemnly informed in person. If, however, they were allowed to get out of repair, the restorer acquired a right to them. In unoccupied lands the possession of wells gave a right of property in the land, and dread of this had caused the offense for which Abraham reproved Abimelech…Read the comment

Topics related to Genesis 21:25

• Abimelech
• Abraham
• Alliances
• Beer-Sheba
• Contracts
• Covenant
• Dishonesty
• Property
• Rulers
• Servant
• Strife
• Wells
• Witness

In the dictionaries

• Abimelech
• Abraham
• Abraham, Abram
• Call
• Cast
• Everlasting
• Falsely
• Grievous
• Lift
• Mean

Commentaries on Genesis 21

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings