King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Now Avraham had complained to Avimelekh about a well which Avimelekh's servants had seized.
Berean Standard Bible:
But when Abraham complained to Abimelech about a 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.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And Abraham{H85} reproved{H3198} Abimelech{H40} because{H182} of a well{H875} of water{H4325}, which Abimelech's{H40} servants{H5650} had violently taken away{H1497}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Genesis 26:15
- 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 26:22
- And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for that they strove not: and he called the name of it Rehoboth; and he said, For now the LORD hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.
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.
Proverbs 17:10
- ¶ A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.
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 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
- 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.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Genesis 21:25
1. **Themes:**
- **Righteousness and Justice:** Abraham's confrontation with Abimelech over the well illustrates the importance of standing up for what is right and addressing injustices.
- **Stewardship of Resources:** The conflict over the well reflects the significance of water rights and resource management in the ancient Near East, which was crucial for survival and sustenance.
- **Diplomacy and Peacemaking:** The interaction between Abraham and Abimelech demonstrates the need for negotiation and peaceful resolution of disputes, even among parties with unequal power dynamics.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **Patriarchal Era:** The event is set during the time of the patriarchs, when Abraham, the father of the Hebrew nation, was living in the land of Canaan as a sojourner.
- **Nomadic Lifestyle:** Abraham's herdsmen required water for their flocks, which was a scarce and valuable resource, leading to conflicts over wells.
- **Relations with Neighbors:** Abraham's interactions with local rulers like Abimelech were critical for securing his family's safety and prosperity in a foreign land.
- **Covenantal Promises:** Abraham's actions are set against the backdrop of God's promises to him, which included the land of Canaan for his descendants, though at this point, the fulfillment of these promises was incomplete.
In summary, Genesis 21:25 captures a moment where Abraham asserts his rights and upholds justice in a foreign land, reflecting broader themes of righteous living, responsible management of resources, and peaceful coexistence with neighbors, all within the context of God's unfolding covenantal promises to the patriarchs.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H85
There are 1159 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַבְרָהָם
Transliteration: ʼAbrâhâm
Pronunciation: ab-raw-hawm'
Description: contracted from אָב and an unused root (probably meaning to be populous); father of a multitude; Abraham, the later name of Abram; Abraham. - Strong's Number: H3198
There are 55 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָכַח
Transliteration: yâkach
Pronunciation: yaw-kahh'
Description: a primitive root; to be right (i.e. correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict; appoint, argue, chasten, convince, correct(-ion), daysman, dispute, judge, maintain, plead, reason (together), rebuke, reprove(-r), surely, in any wise. - Strong's Number: H40
There are 1102 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֲבִימֶלֶךְ
Transliteration: ʼĂbîymelek
Pronunciation: ab-ee-mel'-ek
Description: from אָב and מֶלֶךְ; father of (the) king; Abimelek, the name of two Philistine kings and of two Israelites; Abimelech. - Strong's Number: H182
There are 93 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אוֹדוֹת
Transliteration: ʼôwdôwth
Pronunciation: o-doth'
Description: or (shortened) אֹדוֹת (only thus in the plural); from the same as אוּד; turnings (i.e. occasions); (adverb) on account of; (be-) cause, concerning, sake. - Strong's Number: H875
There are 255 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בְּאֵר
Transliteration: bᵉʼêr
Pronunciation: be-ayr'
Description: from בָּאַר; a pit; especially a well; pit, well. - Strong's Number: H4325
There are 525 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַיִם
Transliteration: mayim
Pronunciation: mah'-yim
Description: dual of a primitive noun (but used in a singular sense); water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen; [phrase] piss, wasting, water(-ing, (-course, -flood, -spring)). - Strong's Number: H5650
There are 714 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֶבֶד
Transliteration: ʻebed
Pronunciation: eh'-bed
Description: from עָבַד; a servant; [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant. - Strong's Number: H1497
There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גָּזַל
Transliteration: gâzal
Pronunciation: gaw-zal'
Description: a primitive root; to pluck off; specifically to flay, strip or rob; catch, consume, exercise (robbery), pluck (off), rob, spoil, take away (by force, violence), tear.