Genesis 21:26

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

Genesis 21:26 Meaning and Commentary

Genesis 21:26

And Abimelech said, I wot not who hath done this thing
He pleads ignorance; he knew nothing of it before, nor now which of his servants had done it; intimating, that if he could know who it was, he should severely reprimand him for it: neither didst thou tell me:
signifying that he was to blame he did not complain of it sooner; and at least he had no reason to blame him, since he had never informed him before of it, and therefore could not expect to be redressed: neither yet heard [of it] but today:
he had not heard of it from others, as the Targum of Jonathan rightly adds, by way of explanation, but that very day, and very probably not till the moment he had it from Abraham himself.

Genesis 21:26 In-Context

24 Avraham said, "I swear it."
25 Now Avraham had complained to Avimelekh about a well which Avimelekh's servants had seized.
26 Avimelekh answered, "I don't know who has done this. You didn't tell me, and I heard about it only today."
27 Avraham took sheep and cattle and gave them to Avimelekh, and the two of them made a covenant.
28 Avraham put seven female lambs from the flock by themselves.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.