Kejadian 26:20-21
Konteks26:20 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 26:21 His servants 6 dug another well, but they quarreled over it too, so Isaac named it 7 Sitnah. 8
[26:20] 1 tn The Hebrew verb translated “quarreled” describes a conflict that often has legal ramifications.
[26:20] 2 tn Heb “and he”; the referent (Isaac) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[26:20] 3 tn Heb “and he called the name of the well.”
[26:20] 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.”
[26:20] 5 tn The words “about it” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.
[26:21] 6 tn Heb “they”; the referent (Isaac’s servants) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[26:21] 7 tn Heb “and he called its name.” The referent (Isaac) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[26:21] 8 sn The name Sitnah (שִׂטְנָה, sitnah) is derived from a Hebrew verbal root meaning “to oppose; to be an adversary” (cf. Job 1:6). The name was a reminder that the digging of this well caused “opposition” from the Philistines.