Genesis 21:26 kjv
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.
Genesis 21:26 nkjv
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."
Genesis 21:26 niv
But Abimelek said, "I don't know who has done this. You did not tell me, and I heard about it only today."
Genesis 21:26 esv
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."
Genesis 21:26 nlt
"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."
Genesis 21 26 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 21:25 | Then Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water which Abimelech’s servants had seized. | Immediate context: reason for Abimelech’s reply. |
| Gen 20:5-6 | "Did he not himself say to me, ‘She is my sister’... indeed, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this..." | Abimelech's integrity affirmed by God in a prior event. |
| Gen 26:15-18 | For all the wells which his father's servants had dug... the Philistines had stopped them. | Isaac's experience with Philistines stopping wells, reflecting ongoing tension. |
| Deut 1:16 | "Hear the cases between your brethren, and judge righteously between a man and his brother or the alien who is with him." | Leadership's responsibility to hear and judge fairly. |
| Prov 28:13 | He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. | Contrasting concealing/denying with confessing wrongdoing. |
| Isa 5:7 | For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel... And He looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed; for righteousness, but behold, a cry. | God's expectation for justice, highlighting human failure. |
| Rom 1:19-20 | For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For since the creation... his invisible attributes... have been clearly perceived. | Human accountability when truth is evident. |
| Acts 17:30 | "Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent," | Divine patience with ignorance, but call to action upon revelation. |
| 1 Tim 1:13 | although I was formerly a blasphemer... But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief. | Forgiveness possible when actions were done in ignorance. |
| Jas 4:17 | To one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin. | Knowing and not acting makes one culpable. |
| Amos 5:12 | For I know your many transgressions... who afflict the righteous and accept bribes and turn aside the poor... | God's absolute knowledge of all wrongdoing. |
| Ps 139:2 | You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. | God's complete and intimate knowledge of all things and hearts. |
| Heb 4:13 | And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him... | Emphasizing divine omniscience, contrasting human ignorance. |
| Num 32:23 | "But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out." | The certainty of sin being exposed, even when hidden. |
| Job 24:12 | From the city men groan... God does not impute anything wrong. | A cry for justice from the oppressed, and questions about why evil goes unpunished (initially). |
| 1 Sam 3:13 | "For I have told him that I am about to judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons brought a curse on themselves and he did not rebuke them." | Leaders held accountable for what they knew but failed to address. |
| Prov 12:22 | Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal faithfully are His delight. | Truthfulness is valued by God. |
| Zechariah 8:16 | "These are the things which you should do: speak the truth to one another..." | Exhortation to honesty in relationships and dealings. |
| Jer 23:24 | "Can a man hide himself in hiding places so I do not see him?" declares the Lord. "Do I not fill heaven and earth?" | God's all-encompassing presence and knowledge, leaving no room for true ignorance from Him. |
| Matt 25:44 | "Then they will also answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to You?’" | Actions of ignorance and lack of empathy resulting in consequences. |
| 2 Cor 1:12 | For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world. | The importance of integrity and clear conscience, contrasting with hidden misdeeds. |
Genesis 21 verses
Genesis 21 26 Meaning
Abimelech, the Philistine king, explicitly denies any prior knowledge or involvement concerning the unjust seizure of Abraham’s well by his servants. He states that Abraham had not previously reported the issue to him, nor had he received any information about it from any other source until the very day of their conversation. This declaration aims to absolve him personally of direct culpability and set the stage for resolving the dispute and forming a covenant.
Genesis 21 26 Context
Genesis chapter 21 chronicles significant events in Abraham's life, including the long-awaited birth of Isaac, the son of promise, and the subsequent expulsion of Hagar and Ishmael due to Sarah's insistence. Immediately following these personal and household developments, the narrative shifts to Abraham's interaction with Abimelech, the Philistine king of Gerar. This verse occurs during a dispute regarding water rights. Abraham confronts Abimelech because Abimelech's servants had seized a well that Abraham had dug. This conflict highlights the vital importance of wells and water resources in the arid ancient Near East. Such disputes were common, as control over water directly related to sustenance and the ability to maintain flocks and settle. The verse sets the stage for a covenant (Gen 21:27-32), where both parties establish terms for peace and Abraham's rights to the well are affirmed through a formal oath at Beer-sheba. Abimelech's statement emphasizes the perceived integrity of his royal court and paves the way for a resolution rooted in professed transparency and newly established mutual understanding.
Genesis 21 26 Word analysis
- And Abimelech said,: This marks a direct statement from Abimelech, emphasizing his kingly authority and initiative in addressing Abraham's grievance.
- 'I do not know': The Hebrew phrase is lo yada'ti (לא ידעתי), using the verb yada' (יָדַע), meaning "to know" experientially or intimately. Abimelech claims complete and direct lack of awareness regarding the action. This implies genuine surprise, or it could be a diplomatic denial designed to maintain his public image and ease the resolution process.
- 'who has done this thing': The phrase mi asah et haddavar hazzeh (מי עשה את הדבר הזה) identifies the subject of the wrongdoing as an unknown party (to Abimelech). Davar (דָּבָר) here translates as "matter" or "affair," referring specifically to the taking of the well. Abimelech acknowledges the action (the seizure of the well) but denies knowledge of the culprit within his domain, or at least denies personal authorization for it.
- 'you did not tell me': The Hebrew is atta lo higgadata li (אתה לא הגדת לי), using the Hifil form of nagad (נָגַד), meaning "to declare," "to make known," or "to report." Abimelech suggests a lack of proper communication from Abraham's side, placing part of the "blame" for his ignorance on Abraham for not bringing the grievance forward earlier. This implies an expected protocol for such disputes.
- 'nor did I hear of it': The Hebrew is we gam lo shamati (וגם לא שמעתי), from shama' (שָׁמַע), "to hear" or "to listen." This reinforces Abimelech's claimed ignorance, indicating that not only did Abraham not inform him directly, but the matter also hadn't reached his ears through general reports or his administration's channels. This doubly emphasizes his claimed unawareness.
- 'until today.': The Hebrew phrase 'ad hayyom (עד היום) indicates the precise moment of revelation for Abimelech. It emphasizes that this complaint is fresh news to him, allowing him to portray his current response as immediate and decisive action upon learning the truth, thereby upholding his image as a just ruler.
- 'I do not know who has done this thing; you did not tell me, nor did I hear of it until today.': This entire statement is a carefully constructed denial. Abimelech presents himself as genuinely ignorant, deflecting direct blame for the injustice while subtly prompting Abraham regarding proper channels of communication. It serves to protect his reputation and integrity, setting the necessary conditions for moving towards a mutually agreeable covenant and demonstrating a commitment to addressing the injustice once informed. The triple assertion of ignorance ('I do not know', 'you did not tell me', 'nor did I hear') highlights the thoroughness of his denial.
Genesis 21 26 Bonus section
- This exchange directly precedes the formal naming of Beer-sheba, meaning "well of the oath" or "well of seven," sealing the agreement between Abraham and Abimelech and memorializing the oath they swore concerning the well.
- Abimelech's response contrasts with the prior interaction in Genesis 20, where God intervened directly through a dream. Here, the resolution comes through human dialogue and negotiation, underscoring human responsibility in resolving conflicts justly.
- The incident emphasizes Abraham's right to property and fair treatment even as a sojourner, and his willingness to confront injustice, relying on his relationship with God for guidance and protection.
- The integrity of a leader, and the channels of accountability within their administration, are implicitly questioned. A ruler's lack of knowledge does not automatically excuse systemic injustices occurring under their authority.
Genesis 21 26 Commentary
Abimelech's swift and categorical denial in Genesis 21:26 functions on several levels. As a ruler, he protects his own integrity and that of his kingdom, stating he was unaware of his servants' unjust actions regarding Abraham's well. This immediate disavowal is crucial for defusing the conflict and for any future peaceful relations, demonstrating either genuine ignorance or astute political maneuvering to avoid conflict with Abraham, whom he recognizes as blessed by God (Gen 21:22). The statement also subtly implies that Abraham shared some responsibility for the prolonged dispute by not having raised the issue sooner. This moment highlights the necessity of clear communication, explicit agreements, and leadership accountability, especially concerning vital resources. It shows that even unintentional injustices can occur, requiring direct confrontation and transparent resolution to re-establish trust and maintain peace.