Genesis 3:24

3:24 When he drove 1  the man out, he placed on the eastern side 2  of the orchard in Eden angelic sentries 3  who used the flame of a whirling sword 4  to guard the way to the tree of life.

Genesis 41:43

41:43 Pharaoh 5  had him ride in the chariot used by his second-in-command, 6  and they cried out before him, “Kneel down!” 7  So he placed him over all the land of Egypt.

Genesis 47:15

47:15 When the money from the lands of Egypt and Canaan was used up, all the Egyptians 8  came to Joseph and said, “Give us food! Why should we die 9  before your very eyes because our money has run out?”

1 tn The verb with the vav (ו) consecutive is made subordinate to the next verb forming a temporal clause. This avoids any tautology with the previous verse that already stated that the Lord expelled the man.

2 tn Or “placed in front.” Directions in ancient Israel were given in relation to the east rather than the north.

3 tn The Hebrew word is traditionally transliterated “the cherubim.”

sn Angelic sentries (Heb “cherubim”). The cherubim in the Bible seem to be a class of angels that are composite in appearance. Their main task seems to be guarding. Here they guard the way to the tree of life. The curtain in the tabernacle was to be embroidered with cherubim as well, symbolically guarding the way to God. (See in addition A. S. Kapelrud, “The Gates of Hell and the Guardian Angels of Paradise,” JAOS 70 [1950]: 151-56; and D. N. Freedman and M. P. O’Connor, TDOT 7:307-19.)

4 tn Heb “the flame of the sword that turns round and round.” The noun “flame” is qualified by the genitive of specification, “the sword,” which in turn is modified by the attributive participle “whirling.” The Hitpael of the verb “turn” has an iterative function here, indicating repeated action. The form is used in Job 37:12 of swirling clouds and in Judg 7:13 of a tumbling roll of bread. Verse 24 depicts the sword as moving from side to side to prevent anyone from passing or as whirling around, ready to cut to shreds anyone who tries to pass.

5 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Pharaoh) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

6 tn Heb “and he caused him to ride in the second chariot which was his.”

7 tn The verb form appears to be a causative imperative from a verbal root meaning “to kneel.” It is a homonym of the word “bless” (identical in root letters but not related etymologically).

8 tn Heb “all Egypt.” The expression is a metonymy and refers to all the people of Egypt.

9 tn The imperfect verbal form has a deliberative force here.