Genesis 26:28-31

26:28 They replied, “We could plainly see ¹  that the Lord is with you. So we decided there should be ²  a pact between us ³  – between us ⁴  and you. Allow us to make ⁵  a treaty with you 26:29 so that ⁶  you will not do us any harm, just as we have not harmed ⁷  you, but have always treated you well ⁸  before sending you away ⁹  in peace. Now you are blessed by the Lord.” ¹⁰ 

26:30 So Isaac ¹¹  held a feast for them and they celebrated. ¹²  26:31 Early in the morning the men made a treaty with each other. ¹³  Isaac sent them off; they separated on good terms. ¹⁴ 

[26:28]  ¹ tn The infinitive absolute before the verb emphasizes the clarity of their perception.

[26:28]  ² tn Heb “And we said, ‘Let there be.’” The direct discourse in the Hebrew text has been rendered as indirect discourse in the translation for stylistic reasons.

[26:28]  ³ tn The pronoun “us” here is inclusive – it refers to the Philistine contingent on the one hand and Isaac on the other.

[26:28]  ⁴ tn The pronoun “us” here is exclusive – it refers to just the Philistine contingent (the following “you” refers to Isaac).

[26:28]  ⁵ tn The translation assumes that the cohortative expresses their request. Another option is to understand the cohortative as indicating resolve: “We want to make.’”

[26:29]  ⁶ tn The oath formula is used: “if you do us harm” means “so that you will not do.”

[26:29]  ⁷ tn Heb “touched.”

[26:29]  ⁸ tn Heb “and just as we have done only good with you.”

[26:29]  ⁹ tn Heb “and we sent you away.”

[26:29]  ¹⁰ tn The Philistine leaders are making an observation, not pronouncing a blessing, so the translation reads “you are blessed” rather than “may you be blessed” (cf. NAB).

[26:30]  ¹¹ tn Heb “and he”; the referent (Isaac) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[26:30]  ¹² tn Heb “and they ate and drank.”

[26:31]  ¹³ tn Heb “and they got up early and they swore an oath, a man to his brother.”

[26:31]  ¹⁴ tn Heb “and they went from him in peace.”