Genesis 21:25

²³ Now, therefore, swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or descendants. Show to me and to the country in which you reside the same kindness that I have shown to you.”

²⁴ And Abraham replied, “I swear it.”

But when Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well that Abimelech’s servants had seized,

²⁶ Abimelech replied, “I do not know who has done this. You did not tell me, so I have not heard about it until today.”

²⁷ So Abraham brought sheep and cattle and gave them to Abimelech, and the two men made a covenant.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: But when Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well that Abimelech’s servants had seized,
KJV: And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water, which Abimelech’s servants had violently taken away.
WEB: Abraham complained to Abimelech because of a water well, which 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.
DARBY: And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water that Abimelech's servants had violently taken away.
BLB: And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well of water that the servants of Abimelech had seized.

ÅB: Men Abraham gikk i rette med Abimelek for en brønn som Abimeleks tjenere hadde tatt med vold.
OTB: Da klaget Abraham til Abimelek om en brønn med vann som Abimeleks tjenere hadde tatt.
B1930: Men Abraham gikk i rette med Abimelek for en brønn som Abimeleks tjenere hadde tatt med vold.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Genesis 26:15–22
So the Philistines took dirt and stopped up all the wells that his father’s servants had dug in the days of his father Abraham.
Read in context
Proverbs 27:5
Better an open rebuke than love that is concealed.
Read in context
Matthew 18:15
If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
Read in context
Judges 1:15
“Give me a blessing,” she answered. “Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me springs of water as well.” So Caleb gave her both the upper and lower springs.
Read in context
Genesis 29:8
But they replied, “We cannot, until all the flocks have been gathered and the stone has been rolled away from the mouth of the well. Then we will water the sheep.”
Read in context
Proverbs 25:9
Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence,
Read in context
Proverbs 17:10
A rebuke cuts into a man of discernment deeper than a hundred lashes cut into a fool.
Read in context
Exodus 2:15–17
When Pharaoh heard about this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian, where he sat down beside a well.
Read in context