Genesis 21:26

Genesis 21:26 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And Abimelech said, I wot not who hath done this thing: neither didst thou tell me, neither yet heard I of it, but to day.
• New International Version (NIV)But Abimelek said, “I don’t know who has done this. You did not tell me, and I heard about it only today.”
• English Standard Version (ESV)Abimelech said, "I do not know who has done this thing; you did not tell me, and I have not heard of it until today."
• New King James Version (NKJV)And Abimelech said, “I do not know who has done this thing; you did not tell me, nor had I heard of it until today.”

Context of Genesis 21:26

24Abraham said, “I so swear.” 25Then Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well which Abimelech’s servants had seized. Abimelech replied, “I don’t know who did this. You didn’t tell me, and I didn’t hear about it until today.” 27Abraham took some sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech, and the two of them made an agreement. 28Then Abraham set apart seven female lambs from the flock.

Genesis 21:26 word by word

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ לֹ֣א יָדַ֔עְתִּי מִ֥י עָשָׂ֖ה אֶת־הַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֑ה וְגַם־אַתָּ֞ה לֹא־הִגַּ֣דְתָּ לִּ֗י וְגַ֧ם אָנֹכִ֛י לֹ֥א שָׁמַ֖עְתִּי בִּלְתִּ֥י הַיּֽוֹם׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And Abimelechאֲבִימֶ֫לֶךְ'ăbîymelek · AbimelechH40
• saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• I wotיָדַעyâda‛ · to knowH3045
• not who hath doneעָשָׂה‛âώâh · to make: doH6213
• this thingדָּבָרdâbâr · word: thingH1697
• neitherלֹאlô' lô' lôh · notH3808
• didst thou tellנָגַדnâgad · to tellH5046
• yet heardשָׁמַעshâma‛ · to hear: hearH8085
• butבִּלְתִּיbiltîy · lestH1115
• to dayיוֹםyôm · dayH3117

Cross-references for Genesis 21:26

• Genesis 13:7Quarrels broke out between Abram’s herders and Lot’s herders. (Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in that area.)
• 2 Kings 5:20Gehazi, the servant of Elisha (the man of God), thought, “My master let this Aramean Naaman go without accepting what he had brought. As sure as the Lord lives, I’ll run after Naaman and get something from him.”

Commentaries on Genesis 21:26

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 26I wot not who hath done this thing - The servants of Abimelech had committed these depredations on Abraham without any authority from their master, who appears to have been a very amiable man, possessing the fear of God, and ever regulating the whole of his conduct by the principles of righteousness and strict justice.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. 22-34At the high point of this passage, it explains the name of Beersheba, where Abraham lived (21:31–34). The name is linked to the covenant (a binding agreement) that Abraham made with the people of the land. This agreement allowed him to live there in peace and safety. In this way, God’s promise was beginning to come true (12:7; 13:14–17; 15:7, 18–21; 17:8).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 21:26

• Abimelech
• Abraham
• Alliances
• Beer-Sheba
• Contracts
• Covenant
• Rulers
• Wells
• Witness

In the dictionaries

• Abimelech
• Call
• Cast
• Everlasting
• Falsely
• Grievous
• Lift
• Mean
• Visit
• Alliance

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