Discovery BoxGenesis 26:20 
Context26:20 the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled 1 with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, “The water belongs to us!” So Isaac 2 named the well 3 Esek 4 because they argued with him about it. 5
Genesis 45:11
Context45:11 I will provide you with food 6 there because there will be five more years of famine. Otherwise you would become poor – you, your household, and everyone who belongs to you.”’
Genesis 47:26
Context47:26 So Joseph made it a statute, 7 which is in effect 8 to this day throughout the land of Egypt: One-fifth belongs to Pharaoh. Only the land of the priests did not become Pharaoh’s.
Genesis 49:10
Context49:10 The scepter will not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, 9
until he comes to whom it belongs; 10
the nations will obey him. 11
1 tn The Hebrew verb translated “quarreled” describes a conflict that often has legal ramifications.
2 tn Heb “and he”; the referent (Isaac) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
3 tn Heb “and he called the name of the well.”
4 sn The name Esek means “argument” in Hebrew. The following causal clause explains that Isaac gave the well this name as a reminder of the conflict its discovery had created. In the Hebrew text there is a wordplay, for the name is derived from the verb translated “argued.”
5 tn The words “about it” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.
6 tn The verb כּוּל (kul) in the Pilpel stem means “to nourish, to support, to sustain.” As in 1 Kgs 20:27, it here means “to supply with food.”
7 tn On the term translated “statute” see P. Victor, “A Note on Hoq in the Old Testament,” VT 16 (1966): 358-61.
8 tn The words “which is in effect” have been supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.
9 tn Or perhaps “from his descendants,” taking the expression “from between his feet” as a euphemism referring to the genitals. In this case the phrase refers by metonymy to those who come forth from his genitals, i.e., his descendants.
10 tn The Hebrew form שִׁילֹה (shiloh) is a major interpretive problem. There are at least four major options (with many variations and less likely alternatives): (1) Some prefer to leave the text as it is, reading “Shiloh” and understanding it as the place where the ark rested for a while in the time of the Judges. (2) By repointing the text others arrive at the translation “until the [or “his”] ruler comes,” a reference to a Davidic ruler or the Messiah. (3) Another possibility that does not require emendation of the consonantal text, but only repointing, is “until tribute is brought to him” (so NEB, JPS, NRSV), which has the advantage of providing good parallelism with the following line, “the nations will obey him.” (4) The interpretation followed in the present translation, “to whom it [belongs]” (so RSV, NIV, REB), is based on the ancient versions. Again, this would refer to the Davidic dynasty or, ultimately, to the Messiah.
11 tn “and to him [will be] the obedience of the nations.” For discussion of this verse see J. Blenkinsopp, “The Oracle of Judah and the Messianic Entry,” JBL 80 (1961): 55-64; and E. M. Good, “The ‘Blessing’ on Judah,” JBL 82 (1963): 427-32.
