Genesis 26:18

26:18 Isaac reopened the wells that had been dug back in the days of his father Abraham, for the Philistines had stopped them up after Abraham died. Isaac gave these wells the same names his father had given them.

Genesis 29:35

29:35 She became pregnant again and had another son. She said, “This time I will praise the Lord.” That is why she named him Judah. Then she stopped having children.


tn Heb “he returned and dug,” meaning “he dug again” or “he reopened.”

tn Heb “that they dug.” Since the subject is indefinite, the verb is translated as passive.

tn Heb “and the Philistines had stopped them up.” This clause explains why Isaac had to reopen them.

tn Heb “and he”; the referent (Isaac) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

tn Heb “them”; the referent (the wells) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

tn Heb “called names to them according to the names that his father called them.”

sn The name Judah (יְהוּדָה, yÿhudah) means “he will be praised” and reflects the sentiment Leah expresses in the statement recorded earlier in the verse. For further discussion see W. F. Albright, “The Names ‘Israel’ and ‘Judah’ with an Excursus on the Etymology of Todah and Torah,” JBL 46 (1927): 151-85; and A. R. Millard, “The Meaning of the Name Judah,” ZAW 86 (1974): 216-18.