¹ tn Heb “knew,” a frequent euphemism for sexual relations.

² sn The name Seth probably means something like “placed”; “appointed”; “set”; “granted,” assuming it is actually related to the verb that is used in the sentiment. At any rate, the name שֵׁת (shet) and the verb שָׁת (shat, “to place, to appoint, to set, to grant”) form a wordplay (paronomasia).

³ tn Heb “offspring.”

⁴ sn The name Noah appears to be related to the Hebrew word נוּחַ (nuakh, “to rest”). There are several wordplays on the name “Noah” in the story of the flood.

⁵ tn The Hebrew verb יְנַחֲמֵנוּ (yÿnakhamenu) is from the root נָחָם (nakham), which means “to comfort” in the Piel verbal stem. The letters נ (nun) and ח (heth) pick up the sounds in the name “Noah,” forming a paronomasia on the name. They are not from the same verbal root, and so the connection is only by sound. Lamech’s sentiment reflects the oppression of living under the curse on the ground, but also expresses the hope for relief in some way through the birth of Noah. His words proved to be ironic but prophetic. The relief would come with a new beginning after the flood. See E. G. Kraeling, “The Interpretations of the Name Noah in Genesis 5:29,” JBL 48 (1929): 138-43.

⁶ tn Heb “When dawn came up.”

⁷ tn Heb “who are found.” The wording might imply he had other daughters living in the city, but the text does not explicitly state this.

⁸ tn Or “with the iniquity [i.e., punishment] of the city” (cf. NASB, NRSV).

⁹ tn Heb “his faithfulness and his commitment.”

¹⁰ tn Heb “As for me – in the way the Lord led me.”

¹¹ tn Here “house” is an adverbial accusative of termination.

¹² tn Heb “brothers.”

¹³ tn The Hebrew verb translated “quarreled” describes a conflict that often has legal ramifications.

¹⁴ tn Heb “and he”; the referent (Isaac) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

¹⁵ tn Heb “and he called the name of the well.”

¹⁶ 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.”

¹⁷ tn The words “about it” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.

¹⁸ tn Heb “and he”; the referent (Isaac) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

¹⁹ tn Heb “and he called its name.”

²⁰ sn The name Rehoboth (רְהֹבוֹת, rehovot) is derived from a verbal root meaning “to make room.” The name was a reminder that God had made room for them. The story shows Isaac’s patience with the opposition; it also shows how God’s blessing outdistanced the men of Gerar. They could not stop it or seize it any longer.

²¹ tn Heb “and he”; the referent (Jacob) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

²² tn Heb “and he smelled the smell”; the referent (Isaac) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

²³ tn Heb “see.”

²⁴ tn Heb “bread,” although the term can be used for food in general.

²⁵ tn Heb “And he commanded also the second, also the third, also all the ones going after the herds, saying: ‘According to this word you will speak when you find him.’”

²⁶ sn The question What is this dream that you had? expresses Jacob’s dismay at what he perceives to be Joseph’s audacity.

²⁷ tn Heb “Coming, will we come, I and your mother and your brothers, to bow down to you to the ground?” The verb “come” is preceded by the infinitive absolute, which lends emphasis. It is as if Jacob said, “You don’t really think we will come…to bow down…do you?”

²⁸ tn The word “child” has been supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.

²⁹ tn Heb “and he said.”

³⁰ tn Heb “know.”

³¹ tn The word “here” has been supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.

³² tn Heb “hand.” This is a metonymy for being under the control or care of Joseph.

³³ tn Or “for.”