Tree of Life Version
Genesis 21:25
25Now Abraham had rebuked Abimelech because of the well of water that 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 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
23So now, make a pledge to me here, by God, that you will not violate your word with me or with my descendants or with my offspring. As I have shown loyalty to you, show the same to me, and to the land in which you have lived as an outsider.” 24Abraham said, “I make a pledge.” Now Abraham had rebuked Abimelech because of the well of water that Abimelech’s servants had seized. 26So Abimelech said, “I don’t know who did this thing. Nor did you tell me, nor did I hear about it until today.” 27Then Abraham took a flock of sheep and cattle 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 26:15All the wells that his father’s servants had dug in the days of his father Abraham the Philistines stopped up and filled with dirt.
- Genesis 29:8But they said, “We can’t, not until all the flocks are gathered and the stone is rolled away from the mouth of the well—then we water the flock.”
- Exodus 2:15When Pharaoh heard about this, he tried to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian, where he sat down by a well.
- Judges 1:15Give me a blessing,” she said. “For you have given me land in the Negev; you should also give me springs of water.” So Caleb gave her the Upper Springs and the Lower Springs.
- Proverbs 17:10A rebuke makes a greater impression on a discerning person than a hundred lashes on a fool.
- Proverbs 25:9Argue your case with your associate, without betraying another’s confidence,
- Proverbs 27:5Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
- Matthew 18:15“Now if your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault while you’re with him alone. If he listens to you, you have won your brother.
- Genesis 13:7So there was a quarrel between the shepherds of Abram’s livestock and the shepherds of Lot’s livestock. (Now the Canaanites and the Perizzites were living in the land then.)
- Exodus 2:16Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters who came and drew water. 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
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