18:27 Then Abraham asked, “Since I have undertaken to speak to the Lord 13 (although I am but dust and ashes), 14
1 tn Heb “every moving thing that lives for you will be for food.”
2 tn The words “I gave you” are not in the Hebrew text, but are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.
3 tn The perfect verb form describes the action that accompanies the declaration.
4 tn Here the vav carries adversative force and is translated “but.”
5 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Abram) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
6 tn See note on the phrase “sovereign
7 tn Or “how.”
8 tn Following the imperative, the cohortative indicates consequence. If Abram is blameless, then the
9 tn Heb “I will multiply you exceedingly, exceedingly.” The repetition is emphatic.
10 tn This verb starts a series of perfect verbal forms with vav (ו) consecutive to express God’s intentions.
11 tn Heb “exceedingly, exceedingly.” The repetition is emphatic.
12 tn Heb “and I will make you into nations, and kings will come out from you.”
13 tn The Hebrew term translated “Lord” here and in vv. 30, 31, 32 is אֲדֹנָי (’adonay).
14 tn The disjunctive clause is a concessive clause here, drawing out the humility as a contrast to the
15 tn Or “by drought.”
16 tn Heb “frost, ice,” though when contrasted with the חֹרֶב (khorev, “drought, parching heat”) of the day, “piercing cold” is more appropriate as a contrast.
17 tn Heb “and my sleep fled from my eyes.”
18 tn Heb “Do this.”
19 tn After the preceding imperative, the imperative with vav (ו) can, as here, indicate logical sequence.
20 sn For I fear God. Joseph brings God into the picture to awaken his brothers’ consciences. The godly person cares about the welfare of people, whether they live or die. So he will send grain back, but keep one of them in Egypt. This action contrasts with their crime of selling their brother into slavery.
21 tn Heb “went forth from me.”