Genesis 21:25
New International Version
Then Abraham complained to Abimelek about a well of water that Abimelek’s servants had seized.

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

English Standard Version
When Abraham reproved Abimelech about a well of water that Abimelech’s servants had seized,

Berean Standard Bible
But when Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well that Abimelech’s servants had seized,

King James Bible
And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away.

New King James Version
Then Abraham rebuked Abimelech because of a well of water which Abimelech’s servants had seized.

New American Standard Bible
But Abraham complained to Abimelech because of the well of water which the servants of Abimelech had seized.

NASB 1995
But Abraham complained to Abimelech because of the well of water which the servants of Abimelech had seized.

NASB 1977
But Abraham complained to Abimelech because of the well of water which the servants of Abimelech had seized.

Legacy Standard Bible
But Abraham reproved Abimelech about the well of water which the servants of Abimelech had seized.

Amplified Bible
Then Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well of water which the servants of Abimelech had [violently] seized [from him],

Christian Standard Bible
But Abraham complained to Abimelech because of the well that Abimelech’s servants had seized.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But Abraham complained to Abimelech because of the water well that Abimelech’s servants had seized.

American Standard Version
And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of the well of water, which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away.

Contemporary English Version
One day, Abraham told Abimelech, "Some of your servants have taken over one of my wells."

English Revised Version
And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of the well of water, which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well which Abimelech's servants had seized.

Good News Translation
Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well which the servants of Abimelech had seized.

International Standard Version
But then Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well of water that Abimelech's servants had seized.

Majority Standard Bible
But when Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well that Abimelech?s servants had seized,

NET Bible
But Abraham lodged a complaint against Abimelech concerning a well that Abimelech's servants had seized.

New Heart English Bible
Abraham complained to Abimelech because of a water well, which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Abraham reproved Abimelech, because of a well of water, which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away.

World English Bible
Abraham complained to Abimelech because of a water well, which Abimelech’s servants had violently taken away.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Abraham reasoned with Abimelech concerning the matter of a well of water which Abimelech’s servants have violently taken away,

Young's Literal Translation
And Abraham reasoned with Abimelech concerning the matter of a well of water which Abimelech's servants have taken violently away,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Abraham rebuked Abimelech on account of the well of waters which Abimelech's servants took away by force.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he reproved Abimelech for a well of water, which his servants had taken away by force.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which his servants had taken away by force.

New American Bible
Abraham, however, reproached Abimelech about a well that Abimelech’s servants had seized by force.

New Revised Standard Version
When Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well of water that Abimelech’s servants had seized,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Abraham reproved Abimeleck because of a well which Abraham's servants had dug and which Abimeleck's servants had seized.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Abraham reproved Abimelek concerning a matter of a well of waters that the Servants of Abraham had dug and the Servants of Abimelek had taken it.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of the well of water, which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Abraam reproved Abimelech because of the wells of water, which the servants of Abimelech took away.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Covenant at Beersheba
24And Abraham replied, “I swear it.” 25But when Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well that Abimelech’s servants had seized, 26Abimelech replied, “I do not know who has done this. You did not tell me, so I have not heard about it until today.”…

Cross References
Genesis 26:15-22
So the Philistines took dirt and stopped up all the wells that his father’s servants had dug in the days of his father Abraham. / Then Abimelech said to Isaac, “Depart from us, for you are much too powerful for us.” / So Isaac left that place and encamped in the Valley of Gerar and settled there. ...

Genesis 31:25-30
Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the hill country of Gilead when Laban overtook him, and Laban and his relatives camped there as well. / Then Laban said to Jacob, “What have you done? You have deceived me and carried off my daughters like captives of war! / Why did you run away secretly and deceive me, without even telling me? I would have sent you away with joy and singing, with tambourines and harps. ...

Genesis 13:7-9
And there was discord between the herdsmen of Abram and the herdsmen of Lot. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were also living in the land. / So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no contention between you and me, or between your herdsmen and my herdsmen. After all, we are kinsmen. / Is not the whole land before you? Now separate yourself from me. If you go to the left, I will go to the right; if you go to the right, I will go to the left.”

Genesis 34:30
Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble upon me by making me a stench to the Canaanites and Perizzites, the people of this land. We are few in number; if they unite against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed.”

Exodus 2:17
And when some shepherds came along and drove them away, Moses rose up to help them and watered their flock.

Exodus 21:33-34
If a man opens or digs a pit and fails to cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls into it, / the owner of the pit shall make restitution; he must pay its owner, and the dead animal will be his.

Numbers 20:19
“We will stay on the main road,” the Israelites replied, “and if we or our herds drink your water, we will pay for it. There will be no problem; only let us pass through on foot.”

1 Samuel 25:15-16
Yet these men were very good to us. When we were in the field, we were not harassed, and nothing of ours went missing the whole time we lived among them. / They were a wall around us, both day and night, the whole time we were herding our sheep near them.

1 Kings 21:3
But Naboth replied, “The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.”

2 Kings 3:25
They destroyed the cities, and each man threw stones on every good field until it was covered. They stopped up every spring and cut down every good tree. Only Kir-haraseth was left with stones in place, but men with slings surrounded it and attacked it as well.

Proverbs 25:8-10
do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame? / Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence, / lest the one who hears may disgrace you, and your infamy never go away.

Isaiah 5:7
For the vineyard of the LORD of Hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah are the plant of His delight. He looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard a cry of distress.

Matthew 5:25-26
Reconcile quickly with your adversary, while you are still on the way to court. Otherwise, he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. / Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

Matthew 18:15-17
If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. / But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ / If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

Luke 12:58-59
Make every effort to reconcile with your adversary while you are on your way to the magistrate. Otherwise, he may drag you off to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and the officer may throw you into prison. / I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the very last penny.”


Treasury of Scripture

And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away.

reproved.

Genesis 26:15-22
For all the wells which his father's servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped them, and filled them with earth…

Genesis 29:8
And they said, We cannot, until all the flocks be gathered together, and till they roll the stone from the well's mouth; then we water the sheep.

Exodus 2:15-17
Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well…

because.

servants.

Genesis 13:7
And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.

Genesis 26:15-22
For all the wells which his father's servants had digged in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped them, and filled them with earth…

Exodus 2:16,17
Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock…

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Genesis 21
1. Isaac is born, and circumcised.
6. Sarah's joy.
8. Isaac is weaned.
9. Hagar and Ishmael sent away.
15. Hagar in distress.
17. The angel relieves and comforts her.
23. Abimelech's covenant with Abraham at Beersheba.














But when Abraham
The phrase "But when Abraham" introduces a pivotal moment in the narrative, highlighting Abraham's proactive role. Abraham, the patriarch, is a central figure in Genesis, known for his faith and covenant with God. The Hebrew name "Abraham" means "father of many," reflecting his God-given promise to be the progenitor of many nations. This moment underscores Abraham's leadership and responsibility in protecting his family's resources.

complained to Abimelech
The act of complaining here is significant. The Hebrew root for "complained" can also mean to contend or strive, indicating a formal grievance. Abraham approaches Abimelech, the Philistine king, with a legitimate concern. Abimelech, whose name means "my father is king," represents a foreign authority. This interaction between Abraham and Abimelech is a testament to the diplomatic relations and the pursuit of justice and fairness in ancient times.

about a well
Wells were vital in the ancient Near East, symbolizing life, sustenance, and prosperity. Water was a precious resource, and wells were often sources of conflict. The well in question is not just a physical resource but a symbol of God's provision and blessing to Abraham. It represents the sustenance necessary for Abraham's family and flocks, highlighting the importance of God's promises being fulfilled in tangible ways.

that Abimelech’s servants
The mention of "Abimelech’s servants" indicates a potential misuse of authority or misunderstanding. Servants, acting on behalf of their master, often carried out tasks that could lead to disputes. This phrase suggests a conflict between Abraham's divine right to the land and the human authority represented by Abimelech's servants. It reflects the ongoing tension between God's people and the surrounding nations.

had seized
The word "seized" implies an act of force or unauthorized taking. In the Hebrew context, this action is a breach of trust and hospitality, which were highly valued in ancient cultures. The seizure of the well by Abimelech's servants is not just a personal affront to Abraham but a challenge to the covenantal promise of land and blessing. This act necessitates a resolution to restore peace and justice, aligning with God's overarching plan for Abraham and his descendants.

Verse 25. - And Abraham reproved (literally, reasoned with, and proved to the satisfaction of) Abimelech (who was, until informed, entirely unacquainted with the action of his servants) because of a well of water, which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away. The greatest possible injury of a material kind that could be done to a nomads chief was the all faction of his water supplies. Hence "the ownership of wells m Palestine was as jealously guarded as the possession of a mine in our own" (Inglis). Contests for wells "are now very common all over the country, but more especially in the southern deserts" (Thomson, 'Land and Book,' p. 559).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But when Abraham
אַבְרָהָ֖ם (’aḇ·rā·hām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 85: Abraham -- 'exalted father', the father of the Jewish nation

complained
וְהוֹכִ֥חַ (wə·hō·w·ḵi·aḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3198: To be right, reciprocal, to argue, to decide, justify, convict

to Abimelech
אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ (’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 40: Abimelech -- 'father is king', a Philistine name, also an Israelite name

about
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

a well
בְּאֵ֣ר (bə·’êr)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 875: A pit, a well

that
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

Abimelech’s
אֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ׃ (’ă·ḇî·me·leḵ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 40: Abimelech -- 'father is king', a Philistine name, also an Israelite name

servants
עַבְדֵ֥י (‘aḇ·ḏê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

had seized,
גָּזְל֖וּ (gā·zə·lū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1497: To pluck off, to flay, strip, rob


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OT Law: Genesis 21:25 Abraham complained to Abimelech because (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 21:24
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