complete verse (Genesis 26:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 26:6:

  • Kankanaey: “Because of that, Isaac stayed at Gerar.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Newari: “So Isaac stayed in Gerar.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Therefore Isaac stayed there in Gerar.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “so Isaac stayed there along with his wife and sons.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 26:6

Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation make verse 6 the opening of a new paragraph. New English Bible, but not Revised English Bible, makes verse 6 the conclusion of the previous paragraph. Speiser begins a new paragraph with verse 6 and makes it a subordinate clause: “While Isaac stayed thus in Gerar, the men of the place….” Translators are advised to follow Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation.

So Isaac dwelt in Gerar: So, which translates the common Hebrew connective, signals a result whose basis is found in Gen 26.3. If verse 6 is to be treated as a result of God’s command to Isaac, it may be necessary to say, for example, “Isaac obeyed the LORD and pitched his camp at Gerar” or “Isaac did as the LORD told him and camped in Gerar.” And if this interpretation is followed, it may also be more appropriate for verse 6 to be regarded as the conclusion of the paragraph that starts at Gen 26.1.

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 .