Isaac's well (image)

Hand colored stencil print on washi by Sadao Watanabe (1977).

Image taken with permission from the SadaoHanga Catalogue where you can find many more images and information about Sadao Watanabe.

For other images of Sadao Watanabe art works in TIPs, see here.

complete verse (Genesis 26:19)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Genesis 26:19:

  • Newari: “When Isaac’s servants holes in the dry river they found little springs there.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “There in the dried flowing-place of water the servants of Isaac dug a new well and they discovered a spring.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and discovered a well of fresh water.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Genesis 26:19

Good News Translation and others begin a new paragraph with verse 19. Verse 19 is the first of two brief episodes that lead to quarreling between the people of Gerar and Isaac’s people. In some languages it will be appropriate to begin this episode with an introductory time expression, as do Bible en français courant and Biblia Dios Habla Hoy: “One day.” Other translations are “One time” and “Later.” One translation groups the events of verses 19-22 together by beginning “Then Isaac’s workers dug three new wells. They dug the first one in the valley and found water….”

Dug in the valley can mean they dug in the actual stream bed or somewhere in the valley where the stream bed lies. Found means they discovered, located water. Well of springing water is literally “well of living water.” This expression is used to refer to a spring of “running water” in Lev 14.5, 6, 50, 51, 52; Zech 14.8. It is water that flows out continually from beneath the surface of the ground.

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 .