New King James Version
Genesis 21:25
25Then Abraham rebuked Abimelech because of a well of water which Abimelech’s servants had seized.
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 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 therefore, swear to me by God that you will not deal falsely with me, with my offspring, or with my posterity; but that according to the kindness that I have done to you, you will do to me and to the land in which you have dwelt.” 24And Abraham said, “I will swear.” Then Abraham rebuked Abimelech because of a well of water which Abimelech’s servants had seized. 26And Abimelech said, “I do not know who has done this thing; you did not tell me, nor had I heard of it until today.” 27So Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech, and the two of them made a covenant.
Read all of Genesis 21Genesis 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 the Philistines had stopped up all the wells which his father’s servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father, and they had filled them with earth.
- Genesis 29:8But they said, “We cannot until all the flocks are gathered together, and they have rolled the stone from the well’s mouth; then we water the sheep.”
- Exodus 2:15When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh and dwelt in the land of Midian; and he sat down by a well.
- Judges 1:15So she said to him, “Give me a blessing; since you have given me land in the South, give me also springs of water.” And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the lower springs.
- Proverbs 17:10Rebuke is more effective for a wise man Than a hundred blows on a fool.
- Proverbs 25:9Debate your case with your neighbor, And do not disclose the secret to another;
- Proverbs 27:5Open rebuke is better Than love carefully concealed.
- Matthew 18:15“Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.
- Genesis 13:7And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites then dwelt in the land.
- Exodus 2:16Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters. And they came and drew water, and they 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
In the dictionaries
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries