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

23“Swear to me in God’s name that you will never deceive me, my children, or any of my descendants. I have been loyal to you, so now swear that you will be loyal to me and to this country where you are living as a foreigner.” 24Abraham replied, “Yes, I swear to it!” Then Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well that Abimelech’s servants had taken by force from Abraham’s servants. 26“This is the first I’ve heard of it,” Abimelech answered. “I have no idea who is responsible. You have never complained about this before.” 27Abraham then gave some of his sheep, goats, and cattle to Abimelech, and they 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 filled up all of Isaac’s wells with dirt. These were the wells that had been dug by the servants of his father, Abraham.
• Genesis 29:8“We can’t water the animals until all the flocks have arrived,” they replied. “Then the shepherds move the stone from the mouth of the well, and we water all the sheep and goats.”
• Exodus 2:15And sure enough, Pharaoh heard what had happened, and he tried to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in the land of Midian. When Moses arrived in Midian, he sat down beside a well.
• Judges 1:15She said, “Let me have another gift. You have already given me land in the Negev; now please give me springs of water, too.” So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs.
• Proverbs 17:10A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool.
• Proverbs 25:9When arguing with your neighbor, don’t betray another person’s secret.
• Proverbs 27:5An open rebuke is better than hidden love!
• Matthew 18:15“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.
• Genesis 13:7So disputes broke out between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot. (At that time Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land.)
• Exodus 2:16Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters who came as usual to draw water and fill the water troughs for their father’s flocks.

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