Genesis 8:3

8:3 The waters kept receding steadily from the earth, so that they had gone down by the end of the 150 days.

Genesis 15:17

15:17 When the sun had gone down and it was dark, a smoking firepot with a flaming torch passed between the animal parts.

Genesis 31:30

31:30 Now I understand that you have gone away because you longed desperately for your father’s house. Yet why did you steal my gods?”

Genesis 47:16

47:16 Then Joseph said, “If your money is gone, bring your livestock, and I will give you food 10  in exchange for 11  your livestock.”


tn The construction combines a Qal preterite from שׁוּב (shuv) with its infinitive absolute to indicate continuous action. The infinitive absolute from הָלָךְ (halakh) is included for emphasis: “the waters returned…going and returning.”

tn Heb “the waters.” The pronoun (“they”) has been employed in the translation for stylistic reasons.

tn The vav (ו) consecutive with the preterite here describes the consequence of the preceding action.

sn A smoking pot with a flaming torch. These same implements were used in Mesopotamian rituals designed to ward off evil (see E. A. Speiser, Genesis [AB], 113-14).

tn Heb “these pieces.”

tn Heb “and now.” The words “I understand that” have been supplied in the translation for clarity and for stylistic reasons.

tn The infinitive absolute appears before the perfect verbal form to emphasize the certainty of the action.

tn The infinitive absolute appears before the perfect verbal form to emphasize the degree of emotion involved.

sn Yet why did you steal my gods? This last sentence is dropped into the speech rather suddenly. See C. Mabee, “Jacob and Laban: The Structure of Judicial Proceedings,” VT 30 (1980): 192-207, and G. W. Coats, “Self-Abasement and Insult Formulas,” JBL 91 (1972): 90-92.

10 tn The word “food” has been supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.

11 tn On the use of the preposition here see BDB 90 s.v. בְּ.