Genesis 21 · Verse 25

Genesis 21:25

And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech’s servants had violently taken away.
Genesis 21:25, King James Version

Genesis 21:25 in other translations

BSBBut when Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well that Abimelech’s servants had seized,
WEBAbraham complained to Abimelech because of a water well, which Abimelech’s servants had violently taken away.
ASVAnd Abraham reproved Abimelech because of the well of water, which Abimelech’s servants had violently taken away.
YLTAnd Abraham reasoned with Abimelech concerning the matter of a well of water which Abimelech's servants have taken violently away,
DARBYAnd Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water that Abimelech's servants had violently taken away.
BBEBut Abraham made a protest to Abimelech because of a water-hole which Abimelech's servants had taken by force.
WebsterAnd Abraham reproved Abimelech, because of a well of water, which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away.

What does Genesis 21:25 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Genesis 21:25-31
25-31. 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. Some describe four, others five, wells in Beer-sheba.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 25 Abraham 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Genesis 21:22-34

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…

Read the full comment on Genesis 21:22-34 →

Genesis 21:25 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וְהוֹכִ֥חַve.ho.Khi.achand he rebukedH3198
אַבְרָהָ֖ם'av.ra.HamAbrahamH85
אֶת\־'et-<obj.>H853
אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ'a.vi.Me.lekhAbimelechH40
עַל\־'al-onH5921
אֹדוֹת֙'o.dot[the] causes ofH182
בְּאֵ֣רbe.'Er[the] well ofH875
הַמַּ֔יִםha.Ma.yim<the> waterH4325
אֲשֶׁ֥ר'a.SherwhichH834
גָּזְל֖וּga.ze.Luthey had seizedH1497
עַבְדֵ֥י'av.Dei[the] servants ofH5650
אֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ\׃'a.vi.Me.lekhAbimelechH40

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Genesis 21:25

  • 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. And Abimelech said unto Isaac, Go from us; for thou art much mightier than we. And Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there. And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them. …

  • Proverbs 27:5

    Open rebuke is better than secret love.

  • Matthew 18:15

    Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

  • Judges 1:15

    And she said unto him, Give me a blessing: for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the nether springs.

  • 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.

  • Proverbs 25:9

    Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:

  • Proverbs 17:10

    A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.

  • 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. Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock. And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.

  • 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.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
reproved.
26:15-22; 29:8; Ex 2:15-17; Jud 1:15; Pr 17:10; 25:9; 27:5; Mt 18:15
because.Wells of water were of great consequence in those hot countries, especially where the flocks were numerous; because water was scarce, and digging to find it was attended with the expense of much time and labour.
servants.
13:7; 26:15-22; Ex 2:16,17

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Genesis 21:24

    And Abraham said, I will swear.

  • Genesis 21:25

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

  • Genesis 21:26

    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.

Read all of Genesis 21

Genesis 21:25 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Y Abraham reconvino á Abimelech á causa de un pozo de agua, que los siervos de Abimelech le habían quitado.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Et Abraham reprit Abimélec à cause d’un puits d’eau dont les serviteurs d’Abimélec s’étaient emparés de force.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Und Abraham stellte Abimelech zur Rede wegen eines Wasserbrunnens, den Abimelechs Knechte mit Gewalt genommen hatten.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Et increpavit Abimelech propter puteum aquæ quem vi abstulerunt servi ejus.