1 tn The oath formula is used: “if you do us harm” means “so that you will not do.”
2 tn Heb “touched.”
3 tn Heb “and just as we have done only good with you.”
4 tn Heb “and we sent you away.”
5 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).
6 tn Heb “and look, your servant Jacob [is] behind us.”
7 tn Heb “for he said.” The referent (Jacob) has been specified in the translation for clarity. The Hebrew word מַקֵל (maqel), traditionally represents Jacob’s thought or reasoning, and is therefore translated “thought.”
8 tn Heb “I will appease his face.” The cohortative here expresses Jacob’s resolve. In the Book of Leviticus the Hebrew verb translated “appease” has the idea of removing anger due to sin or guilt, a nuance that fits this passage very well. Jacob wanted to buy Esau off with a gift of more than five hundred and fifty animals.
9 tn Heb “with a gift going before me.”
10 tn Heb “I will see his face.”
11 tn Heb “Perhaps he will lift up my face.” In this context the idiom refers to acceptance.