The Meaning of Genesis 21:25 Explained

Genesis 21:25

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

YLT: And Abraham reasoned with Abimelech concerning the matter of a well of water which Abimelech's servants have taken violently away,

Darby: And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water that Abimelech's servants had violently taken away.

ASV: And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of the well of water, which Abimelech's servants had violently taken away.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Genesis 21:25 Mean?

Context Summary

Genesis 21:22-34 - Abraham And Abimelech Covenant
Abimelech was impressed with Abraham's growing prosperity. He felt that it could not be explained on merely natural grounds. "God is with thee in all that thou doest." He sought, therefore, to secure the well-being of himself and his kingdom by forming an amicable treaty. Abraham immediately indicated that, while willing to meet him, they must first have a clear understanding about a certain injustice which he had suffered. As our Lord taught afterward, he showed Abimelech his fault as between them alone, Matthew 18:15. The matter was easily adjusted by the king's frank disavowal of his servants' action. In lieu of written documents the seven lambs would be a perpetual sign and token of Abraham's claim to the well, henceforth known as "the well of the oath." The tamarisk was the second of these natural title-deeds. Wherever the religious man dwells he should pray, and leave behind him trees and wells. [source]

Chapter Summary: 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

What do the individual words in Genesis 21:25 mean?

And reproved Abraham - Abimelech - because of a well of water that had seized the servants of Abimelech
וְהוֹכִ֥חַ אַבְרָהָ֖ם אֶת־ אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ עַל־ אֹדוֹת֙ בְּאֵ֣ר הַמַּ֔יִם אֲשֶׁ֥ר גָּזְל֖וּ עַבְדֵ֥י אֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ

וְהוֹכִ֥חַ  And  reproved 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Conjunctive perfect, third person masculine singular
Root: יָכַח  
Sense: to prove, decide, judge, rebuke, reprove, correct, be right.
אַבְרָהָ֖ם  Abraham 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אַבְרָהָם  
Sense: friend of God and founder of Hebrew nation via God’s elective covenant.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
אֲבִימֶ֑לֶךְ  Abimelech 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֲבִימֶלֶךְ  
Sense: king of Gerar in Abraham’s time.
עַל־  - 
Parse: Preposition
Root: עַל 
Sense: upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against.
אֹדוֹת֙  because 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural construct
Root: אֹדֹות  
Sense: cause.
בְּאֵ֣ר  of  a  well 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: בְּאֵר  
Sense: well, pit, spring.
הַמַּ֔יִם  of  water 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: מַיִם  
Sense: water, waters.
אֲשֶׁ֥ר  that 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
גָּזְל֖וּ  had  seized 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person common plural
Root: גָּזַל  
Sense: to tear away, seize, plunder, tear off, pull off, rob, take away by force.
עַבְדֵ֥י  the  servants 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: עֶבֶד  
Sense: slave, servant.
אֲבִימֶֽלֶךְ  of  Abimelech 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֲבִימֶלֶךְ  
Sense: king of Gerar in Abraham’s time.