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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Then Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well that Abimelech’s servants had taken by force from Abraham’s servants.

Context of Genesis 21:25

23Now swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. Show to me and the country where you now reside as a foreigner the same kindness I have shown to you.” 24Abraham said, “I swear it.” Then Abraham complained to Abimelek about a well of water that Abimelek’s servants had seized. 26But Abimelek said, “I don’t know who has done this. You did not tell me, and I heard about it only today.” 27So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelek, and the two men 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 all the wells that his father’s servants had dug in the time of his father Abraham, the Philistines stopped up, filling them with earth.
• Genesis 29:8“We can’t,” they replied, “until all the flocks are gathered and the stone has been rolled away from the mouth of the well. Then we will water the sheep.”
• Exodus 2:15When Pharaoh heard of this, he tried to kill Moses, but Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in Midian, where he sat down by a well.
• Judges 1:15She replied, “Do me a special favor. Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me also springs of water.” So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs.
• Proverbs 17:10A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool.
• Proverbs 25:9If you take your neighbor to court, do not betray another’s confidence,
• Proverbs 27:5Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
• Matthew 18:15“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.
• Genesis 13:7And quarreling arose between Abram’s herders and Lot’s. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time.
• Exodus 2:16Now a priest of Midian had seven daughters, and they came to draw water and fill 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