Genesis 21:26
New International Version
But Abimelek said, “I don’t know who has done this. You did not tell me, and I heard about it only today.”

New Living Translation
“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.”

English Standard Version
Abimelech said, “I do not know who has done this thing; you did not tell me, and I have not heard of it until today.”

Berean Standard Bible
Abimelech replied, “I do not know who has done this. You did not tell me, so I have not heard about it until today.”

King James Bible
And Abimelech said, I wot not who hath done this thing: neither didst thou tell me, neither yet heard I of it, but to day.

New King James Version
And Abimelech said, “I do not know who has done this thing; you did not tell me, nor had I heard of it until today.”

New American Standard Bible
And Abimelech said, “I do not know who has done this thing; you did not tell me, nor did I hear of it until today.”

NASB 1995
And Abimelech said, “I do not know who has done this thing; you did not tell me, nor did I hear of it until today.”

NASB 1977
And Abimelech said, “I do not know who has done this thing; neither did you tell me, nor did I hear of it until today.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And Abimelech said, “I do not know who has done this thing; you did not tell me, nor did I hear of it until today.”

Amplified Bible
Abimelech said, “I do not know who did this thing. Indeed, you did not tell me, and I did not hear of it until today.”

Christian Standard Bible
Abimelech replied, “I don’t know who did this thing. You didn’t report anything to me, so I hadn’t heard about it until today.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Abimelech replied, “I don’t know who did this thing. You didn’t report anything to me, so I hadn’t heard about it until today.”

American Standard Version
And Abimelech said, I know not who hath done this thing: neither didst thou tell me, neither yet heard I of it, but to-day.

Contemporary English Version
"This is the first I've heard about it," Abimelech replied. "Why haven't you said something before? I don't have any idea who did it."

English Revised Version
And Abimelech said, I know not who hath done this thing: neither didst thou tell me, neither yet heard I of it, but today.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Abimelech replied, "I don't know who did this. You didn't tell me, and I didn't hear about it until today."

Good News Translation
Abimelech said, "I don't know who did this. You didn't tell me about it, and this is the first I have heard of it."

International Standard Version
"I don't know who did this thing," Abimelech replied. "You didn't report this to me, and I didn't hear about it until today."

Majority Standard Bible
Abimelech replied, ?I do not know who has done this. You did not tell me, so I have not heard about it until today.?

NET Bible
"I do not know who has done this thing," Abimelech replied. "Moreover, you did not tell me. I did not hear about it until today."

New Heart English Bible
Abimelech said, "I do not know who has done this thing. Neither did you tell me, neither did I hear of it, until today."

Webster's Bible Translation
And Abimelech said, I know not who hath done this thing: neither didst thou tell me, neither yet have I heard of it, but to-day.

World English Bible
Abimelech said, “I don’t know who has done this thing. You didn’t tell me, and I didn’t hear of it until today.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Abimelech says, “I have not known who has done this thing, and even you did not declare to me, and I also, I have not heard except today.”

Young's Literal Translation
and Abimelech saith, 'I have not known who hath done this thing, and even thou didst not declare to me, and I also, I have not heard save to-day.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Abimelech will say, I knew not who did this thing; and also thou didst not announce to me, and also I heard not except this day.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Abimelech answered: I knew not who did this thing: and thou didst not tell me, and I heard not of it till to day.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Abimelech responded, “I do not know who did this thing, but you also did not reveal it to me, nor have I heard of it, before today.”

New American Bible
“I have no idea who did that,” Abimelech replied. “In fact, you never told me about it, nor did I ever hear of it until now.”

New Revised Standard Version
Abimelech said, “I do not know who has done this; you did not tell me, and I have not heard of it until today.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Abimeleck said, I do not know who has done this thing; neither did you tell me, nor have I heard of it until today.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Abimelek said, “I did not know who did this matter, also you did not show me, neither had I heard except only today.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Abimelech said: 'I know not who hath done this thing; neither didst thou tell me, neither yet heard I of it, but to-day.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Abimelech said to him, I know not who has done this thing to thee, neither didst thou tell it me, neither heard I it but only to-day.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Covenant at Beersheba
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.” 27So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant.…

Cross References
Genesis 20:9-10
Then Abimelech called Abraham and asked, “What have you done to us? How have I sinned against you, that you have brought such tremendous guilt upon me and my kingdom? You have done things to me that should not be done.” / Abimelech also asked Abraham, “What prompted you to do such a thing?”

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 31:36-42
Then Jacob became incensed and challenged Laban. “What is my crime?” he said. “For what sin of mine have you so hotly pursued me? / You have searched all my goods! Have you found anything that belongs to you? Put it here before my brothers and yours, that they may judge between the two of us. / I have been with you for twenty years now. Your sheep and goats have not miscarried, nor have I eaten the rams of your flock. ...

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.”

Genesis 39:8-9
But he refused. “Look,” he said to his master’s wife, “with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in his house, and he has entrusted everything he owns to my care. / No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?”

Exodus 5:2
But Pharaoh replied, “Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go.”

Exodus 32:21-24
“What did this people do to you,” Moses asked Aaron, “that you have led them into so great a sin?” / “Do not be enraged, my lord,” Aaron replied. “You yourself know that the people are intent on evil. / They told me, ‘Make us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him!’ ...

Numbers 22:34
“I have sinned,” Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, “for I did not realize that you were standing in the road to confront me. And now, if this is displeasing in your sight, I will go back home.”

Joshua 7:19-21
So Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and make a confession to Him. I urge you to tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me.” / “It is true,” Achan replied, “I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I did: / When I saw among the spoils a beautiful cloak from Shinar, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.”

1 Samuel 12:3-5
Here I am. Bear witness against me before the LORD and before His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated or oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes? Tell me, and I will restore it to you.” / “You have not cheated us or oppressed us,” they replied, “nor have you taken anything from the hand of man.” / Samuel said to them, “The LORD is a witness against you, and His anointed is a witness today, that you have not found anything in my hand.” “He is a witness,” they replied.

2 Samuel 12:5-7
David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan: “As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this deserves to die! / Because he has done this thing and has shown no pity, he must pay for the lamb four times over.” / Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul.

2 Kings 5:25-27
When Gehazi went in and stood before his master, Elisha asked him, “Gehazi, where have you been?” “Your servant did not go anywhere,” he replied. / But Elisha questioned him, “Did not my spirit go with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to accept money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, menservants and maidservants? / Therefore, the leprosy of Naaman will cling to you and your descendants forever!” And as Gehazi left his presence, he was leprous—as white as snow.

Job 31:5-8
If I have walked in falsehood or my foot has rushed to deceit, / let God weigh me with honest scales, that He may know my integrity. / If my steps have turned from the path, if my heart has followed my eyes, or if impurity has stuck to my hands, ...

Psalm 15:1-5
A Psalm of David. O LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy mountain? / He who walks with integrity and practices righteousness, who speaks the truth from his heart, / who has no slander on his tongue, who does no harm to his neighbor, who casts no scorn on his friend, ...

Proverbs 28:13
He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.


Treasury of Scripture

And Abimelech said, I know not who has done this thing; neither did you tell me, neither yet heard I of it, but to day.

I wot.

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.

2 Kings 5:20-24
But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him…

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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.














I do not know
This phrase reflects Abimelech's immediate response to Abraham's complaint about a well that had been seized. The Hebrew root for "know" is "yada," which implies not just awareness but an intimate understanding or relationship. Abimelech's claim of ignorance suggests a genuine lack of involvement or knowledge, highlighting the importance of communication and transparency in relationships. In a broader spiritual sense, it reminds believers of the necessity to seek understanding and clarity in their walk with God and others.

who has done this thing
The phrase indicates an action that has been committed, in this case, the seizure of a well. The Hebrew word for "thing" is "dabar," which can mean word, matter, or thing. This reflects the seriousness of the situation, as wells were vital for survival in the arid climate of the ancient Near East. Historically, wells were often sources of conflict, symbolizing life and sustenance. Spiritually, this can be seen as a call to protect and cherish the spiritual resources God provides.

Abimelech replied
Abimelech's response is crucial in the narrative. His name, meaning "my father is king," suggests a position of authority and responsibility. His reply shows a willingness to address the issue directly, which is a model for leadership and conflict resolution. In a spiritual context, it encourages believers to respond to challenges with integrity and openness.

You did not tell me
This part of the verse underscores the importance of communication. Abimelech points out that he was not informed of the issue, which suggests that misunderstandings can arise from a lack of dialogue. The Hebrew culture placed a high value on verbal agreements and communication, and this serves as a reminder of the power of words in building or breaking relationships. Spiritually, it emphasizes the need for honest communication with God and others.

I have not heard about it until today
This phrase indicates the timing of Abimelech's awareness of the problem. The Hebrew word for "heard" is "shama," which means to hear, listen, or obey. It suggests that Abimelech is open to resolving the issue now that he is aware of it. Historically, this reflects the immediacy with which disputes needed to be addressed in ancient times to maintain peace and order. Spiritually, it serves as a reminder that God hears our concerns and is ready to act when we bring them to Him.

(26) I wot not.--This explains the reason of Abimelech's visit. The king's herdsmen had robbed Abraham of a well, a species of property jealously defended in the East because of its great value, and Abraham in some way had made his displeasure felt. Abimelech, ever friendly towards Abraham, by whose nobleness of character he had been greatly impressed, comes to learn the cause of the coolness, and to enter into a more close and lasting alliance with the patriarch. With Oriental indirectness, he makes no complaint, and speaks only of his wish for continued friendship, but by his allusion to his past kindness hints that this had not been received as it ought. Abraham fully understands his real meaning, and tells him what had happened; whereupon the matter is set right, and Abraham requites his previous generosity with gifts of cattle.

Verse 26. - And Abimelech said, I wet not who hath done this thing. There is no reason to question the sincerity of the Philistine monarch in disclaiming all knowledge of the act of robbery committed by his servants. Neither didst thou toll me, neither yet heard I of it, but today. The prince rather complains that Abraham had done him an injustice.

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

replied,
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“I do not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

know
יָדַ֔עְתִּי (yā·ḏa‘·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3045: To know

who
מִ֥י (mî)
Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

has done
עָשָׂ֖ה (‘ā·śāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

this.
הַזֶּ֑ה (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

You
אַתָּ֞ה (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

did not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

tell
הִגַּ֣דְתָּ (hig·gaḏ·tā)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

me,
לִּ֗י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

so I
אָנֹכִ֛י (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

have not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

heard
שָׁמַ֖עְתִּי (šā·ma‘·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

about it until today.”
בִּלְתִּ֥י (bil·tî)
Preposition
Strong's 1115: A failure of, not, except, without, unless, besides, because not, until


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OT Law: Genesis 21:26 Abimelech said I don't know who has (Gen. Ge Gn)
Genesis 21:25
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