Genesis 26:28-29

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 

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¹ tn The infinitive absolute before the verb emphasizes the clarity of their perception.

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.

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

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

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.’”

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

⁷ tn Heb “touched.”

⁸ tn Heb “and just as we have done only good with you.”

⁹ tn Heb “and we sent you away.”

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).