That you will do us no harm: harm translates a word that means “evil” or “bad.” It is used here as bad deeds or actions. Good News Translation shifts to a clause, “that you will not harm us.”

Just as we have not touched you: just as expresses the thought of “in the same way that” or “as we for our part.” Touch is used here in the same sense as in verse 11, with the sense of “harm,” “molest.”

And have done to you nothing but good is literally “and as we did with you only good.” This may also be rendered “we did nothing bad to you” or “we did only good things to you.”

And have sent you away in peace: see verse 16 for the conditions under which Isaac departed from Gerar. For peace see discussion of 15.15. In this context some languages may translate this sentence idiomatically; for example, “we said good-bye to you with our hearts cool,” “when we sent you on your way, our hearts were at ease.”

You are now the blessed of the LORD: see discussion of 24.31. It was politically prudent of Abimelech to seek good relations with someone he recognized as having God’s special favor.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .