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

23Now swear to me right here in God’s name that you will not deceive me, my children, or my descendants. Show me, and the land where you are staying, the same loyalty that I have shown you.” 24Abraham said, “I swear to do this.” But Abraham lodged a complaint against Abimelech concerning a well that Abimelech’s servants had seized. 26“I do not know who has done this thing,” Abimelech replied. “Moreover, you did not tell me. I did not hear about it until today.” 27Abraham took some sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech. The two of them made a treaty.

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 26:15So the Philistines took dirt and filled up all the wells that his father’s servants had dug back in the days of his father Abraham.
• Genesis 29:8“We can’t,” they said, “until all the flocks are gathered and the stone is rolled off the mouth of the well. Then we water the sheep.”
• Exodus 2:15When Pharaoh heard about this event, he sought to kill Moses. So Moses fled from Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian, and he settled by a certain well.
• Judges 1:15She answered, “Please give me a special present. Since you have given me land in the Negev, now give me springs of water.” So Caleb gave her both the upper and lower springs.
• Proverbs 17:10A rebuke makes a greater impression on a discerning person than a hundred blows on a fool.
• Proverbs 25:9When you argue a case with your neighbor, do not reveal the secret of another person,
• Proverbs 27:5Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
• Matthew 18:15“If your brother sins, go and show him his fault when the two of you are alone. If he listens to you, you have regained your brother.
• Genesis 13:7So there were quarrels between Abram’s herdsmen and Lot’s herdsmen. (Now the Canaanites and the Perizzites were living in the land at that time.)
• Exodus 2:16Now a priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came and began to draw water and fill the troughs in order 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