Genesis 21:26

26 Abimelech said, "I don't know who did this. You didn't tell me about it, and this is the first I have heard of it."

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 Abraham said, "I promise."
25 Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well which the servants of Abimelech had seized.
26 Abimelech said, "I don't know who did this. You didn't tell me about it, and this is the first I have heard of it."
27 Then Abraham gave some sheep and cattle to Abimelech, and the two of them made an agreement.
28 Abraham separated seven lambs from his flock,
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.