Genesis 21:26

26 But Abimelech said, "I don't know who did this. You never told me about this before 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 And Abraham said, "I promise."
25 Then Abraham complained to Abimelech about Abimelech's servants who had seized a well of water.
26 But Abimelech said, "I don't know who did this. You never told me about this before today."
27 Then Abraham gave Abimelech some sheep and cattle, and they made an agreement.
28 Abraham also put seven female lambs in front of Abimelech.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.