19 Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.

Other Translations of Genesis 21:19

King James Version

19 And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.

English Standard Version

19 Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.

The Message

19 Just then God opened her eyes. She looked. She saw a well of water. She went to it and filled her canteen and gave the boy a long, cool drink.

New King James Version

19 Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water, and gave the lad a drink.

New Living Translation

19 Then God opened Hagar's eyes, and she saw a well full of water. She quickly filled her water container and gave the boy a drink.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 21:19

Commentary on Genesis 21:14-21

(Read Genesis 21:14-21)

If Hagar and Ishmael had behaved well in Abraham's family, they might have continued there; but they were justly punished. By abusing privileges, we forfeit them. Those who know not when they are well off, will be made to know the worth of mercies by the want of them. They were brought to distress in the wilderness. It is not said that the provisions were spent, or that Abraham sent them away without money. But the water was spent; and having lost their way, in that hot climate Ishmael was soon overcome with fatigue and thirst. God's readiness to help us when we are in trouble, must not slacken, but quicken our endeavours to help ourselves. The promise concerning her son is repeated, as a reason why Hagar should bestir herself to help him. It should engage our care and pains about children and young people, to consider that we know not what great use God has designed them for, and may make of them. The angel directs her to a present supply. Many who have reason to be comforted, go mourning from day to day, because they do not see the reason they have for comfort. There is a well of water near them in the covenant of grace, but they are not aware of it, till the same God that opened their eyes to see their wound, opens them to see their remedy. Paran was a wild place, fit for a wild man; such as Ishmael. Those who are born after the flesh, take up with the wilderness of this world, while the children of the promise aim at the heavenly Canaan, and cannot be at rest till they are there. Yet God was with the lad; his outward welfare was owing to this.

25 Then Abraham complained to Abimelek about a well of water that Abimelek's servants had seized.

Other Translations of Genesis 21:25

King James Version

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

English Standard Version

25 When Abraham reproved Abimelech about a well of water that Abimelech's servants had seized,

The Message

25 At the same time, Abraham confronted Abimelech over the matter of a well of water that Abimelech's servants had taken.

New King James Version

25 Then Abraham rebuked Abimelech because of a well of water which Abimelech's servants had seized.

New Living Translation

25 Then Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well that Abimelech's servants had taken by force from Abraham's servants.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 21:25

Commentary on Genesis 21:22-34

(Read Genesis 21:22-34)

Abimelech felt sure that the promises of God would be fulfilled to Abraham. It is wise to connect ourselves with those who are blessed of God; and we ought to requite kindness to those who have been kind to us. Wells of water are scarce and valuable in eastern countries. Abraham took care to have his title to the well allowed, to prevent disputes in future. No more can be expected from an honest man than that he be ready to do right, as soon as he knows he has done wrong. Abraham, being now in a good neighbourhood, stayed a great while there. There he made, not only a constant practice, but an open profession of his religion. There he called on the name of the Lord, as the everlasting God; probably in the grove he planted, which was his place of prayer. Abraham kept up public worship, in which his neighbours might join. Good men should do all they can to make others so. Wherever we sojourn, we must neither neglect nor be ashamed of the worship of Jehovah.

30 He replied, "Accept these seven lambs from my hand as a witness that I dug this well."

Other Translations of Genesis 21:30

King James Version

30 And he said, For these seven ewe lambs shalt thou take of my hand, that they may be a witness unto me, that I have digged this well.

English Standard Version

30 He said, "These seven ewe lambs you will take from my hand, that thisOr you may be a witness for me that I dug this well."

The Message

30 Abraham said, "It means that when you accept these seven sheep, you take it as proof that I dug this well, that it's my well."

New King James Version

30 And he said, "You will take these seven ewe lambs from my hand, that they may be my witness that I have dug this well."

New Living Translation

30 Abraham replied, "Please accept these seven lambs to show your agreement that I dug this well."

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 21:30

Commentary on Genesis 21:22-34

(Read Genesis 21:22-34)

Abimelech felt sure that the promises of God would be fulfilled to Abraham. It is wise to connect ourselves with those who are blessed of God; and we ought to requite kindness to those who have been kind to us. Wells of water are scarce and valuable in eastern countries. Abraham took care to have his title to the well allowed, to prevent disputes in future. No more can be expected from an honest man than that he be ready to do right, as soon as he knows he has done wrong. Abraham, being now in a good neighbourhood, stayed a great while there. There he made, not only a constant practice, but an open profession of his religion. There he called on the name of the Lord, as the everlasting God; probably in the grove he planted, which was his place of prayer. Abraham kept up public worship, in which his neighbours might join. Good men should do all they can to make others so. Wherever we sojourn, we must neither neglect nor be ashamed of the worship of Jehovah.

31 So that place was called Beersheba,[1] because the two men swore an oath there.

Other Translations of Genesis 21:31

King James Version

31 Wherefore he called that place Beersheba; Beersheba: that is, The well of the oath because there they sware both of them.

English Standard Version

31 Therefore that place was called Beersheba,Beersheba means well of seven or well of the oath because there both of them swore an oath.

The Message

31 That's how the place got named Beersheba (the Oath-Well), because the two of them swore a covenant oath there.

New King James Version

31 Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because the two of them swore an oath there.

New Living Translation

31 Then he named the place Beersheba (which means "well of the oath"), because that was where they had sworn the oath.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Genesis 21:31

Commentary on Genesis 21:22-34

(Read Genesis 21:22-34)

Abimelech felt sure that the promises of God would be fulfilled to Abraham. It is wise to connect ourselves with those who are blessed of God; and we ought to requite kindness to those who have been kind to us. Wells of water are scarce and valuable in eastern countries. Abraham took care to have his title to the well allowed, to prevent disputes in future. No more can be expected from an honest man than that he be ready to do right, as soon as he knows he has done wrong. Abraham, being now in a good neighbourhood, stayed a great while there. There he made, not only a constant practice, but an open profession of his religion. There he called on the name of the Lord, as the everlasting God; probably in the grove he planted, which was his place of prayer. Abraham kept up public worship, in which his neighbours might join. Good men should do all they can to make others so. Wherever we sojourn, we must neither neglect nor be ashamed of the worship of Jehovah.