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.

And Abimelech {H40} said {H559}, I wot {H3045} not who hath done {H6213} this thing {H1697}: neither {H3808} didst thou tell {H5046} me, neither {H3808} yet heard {H8085} I of it, but {H1115} to day {H3117}.

Avimelekh answered, "I don't know who has done this. You didn't tell me, and I heard about it only today."

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

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.

Commentary

Genesis 21:26 presents Abimelech's response to Abraham's complaint about a well that Abimelech's servants had seized. This verse is crucial in understanding the dynamic between the two patriarchs and the eventual covenant they establish.

Context

This verse is part of a significant narrative in the life of Abraham, specifically during his sojourn in Gerar, a Philistine territory. Prior to this, Abraham had already had a complex encounter with Abimelech, the king of Gerar, involving Sarah (see Genesis 20). Here, the focus shifts to a dispute over water rights, a vital resource in the ancient Near East. Abraham had dug a well, but Abimelech's servants had taken it by force (Genesis 21:25). Abimelech's statement in verse 26 serves as his immediate reaction to Abraham's accusation.

Meaning of the Verse

Abimelech's reply, "I wot not who hath done this thing: neither didst thou tell me, neither yet heard I [of it], but to day," conveys his alleged ignorance regarding the seizure of the well. The phrase "I wot not" is an archaic English expression from the King James Version, meaning "I do not know" or "I was unaware." Abimelech claims three things:

  • He does not know who committed the act of seizing the well.
  • Abraham had not previously informed him of the issue.
  • He had not heard about it from any other source until the very day Abraham confronted him.

This response sets the stage for a resolution, as Abimelech, upon being informed, is now ready to address the grievance and enter into a covenant with Abraham regarding the well, which eventually leads to the naming of Beersheba (Genesis 21:31).

Key Themes

  • Dispute Resolution: The verse highlights the initiation of a process to resolve a conflict over resources, demonstrating how grievances are brought to light and addressed between parties.
  • Communication and Transparency: Abimelech's insistence that Abraham "didst not tell me" underscores the importance of direct communication in addressing wrongs and preventing misunderstandings.
  • Leadership Responsibility: While Abimelech denies direct knowledge, the incident points to the responsibility of leaders for the actions of those under their authority, even if those actions are unauthorized.
  • Truth and Acknowledgment: Whether Abimelech was genuinely ignorant or feigning it, his acknowledgment of the issue "to day" marks a turning point towards reconciliation and the establishment of trust.

Practical Application

Genesis 21:26 offers valuable lessons for today. It reminds us of the importance of:

  • Direct Communication: Addressing issues head-on and promptly, rather than allowing resentment to fester.
  • Accountability: Recognizing that leaders, whether in a family, business, or community, bear ultimate responsibility for the behavior of those under their care, even if they are personally unaware of every transgression.
  • Seeking Resolution: The willingness of both Abraham to voice his complaint and Abimelech to acknowledge it (even if belatedly) demonstrates a path towards peaceful resolution of conflicts.

This narrative encourages us to be proactive in communication and diligent in oversight, fostering environments of fairness and mutual respect, much like the wisdom found in Proverbs about soft answers turning away wrath.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • 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

    ¶ 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.

  • 2 Kings 5:24

    And when he came to the tower, he took [them] from their hand, and bestowed [them] in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed.
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