¹ tn The particle הֵן (hen) introduces a foundational clause, usually beginning with “since, because, now.”

² sn The man has become like one of us. See the notes on Gen 1:26 and 3:5.

³ tn The infinitive explains in what way the man had become like God: “knowing good and evil.”

⁴ tn Heb “and now, lest he stretch forth.” Following the foundational clause, this clause forms the main point. It is introduced with the particle פֶּן (pen) which normally introduces a negative purpose, “lest….” The construction is elliptical; something must be done lest the man stretch forth his hand. The translation interprets the point intended.

⁵ tn Heb “approach out there” which could be rendered “Get out of the way, stand back!”

⁶ tn Heb “to live as a resident alien.”

⁷ tn Heb “and he has judged, judging.” The infinitive absolute follows the finite verbal form for emphasis. This emphasis is reflected in the translation by the phrase “dares to judge.”

⁸ tn The verb “to do wickedly” is repeated here (see v. 7). It appears that whatever “wickedness” the men of Sodom had intended to do to Lot’s visitors – probably nothing short of homosexual rape – they were now ready to inflict on Lot.

⁹ tn Heb “and they pressed against the man, against Lot, exceedingly.”

¹⁰ tn Heb “and they drew near.”

¹¹ tn Or “for,” if the particle is understood as causal (as many English translations do) rather than asseverative.

¹² sn For a discussion of the term prophet see N. Walker, “What is a Nabhi?” ZAW 73 (1961): 99-100.

¹³ tn After the preceding jussive (or imperfect), the imperative with vav conjunctive here indicates result.

sn He will pray for you that you may live. Abraham was known as a man of God whose prayer would be effectual. Ironically and sadly, he was also known as a liar.

¹⁴ tn Heb “if there is not you returning.” The suffix on the particle becomes the subject of the negated clause.

¹⁵ tn The imperfect is preceded by the infinitive absolute to make the warning emphatic.

¹⁶ tn Heb “wide on both hands,” that is, in both directions.

¹⁷ tn The words “to marry” are not in the Hebrew text, but are supplied in the translation for clarity.

¹⁸ tn Heb “said.”

¹⁹ tn Heb “Otherwise he will die, also he, like his brothers.”

sn I don’t want him to die like his brothers. This clause explains that Judah had no intention of giving Shelah to Tamar for the purpose of the levirate marriage. Judah apparently knew the nature of his sons, and feared that God would be angry with the third son and kill him as well.

²⁰ tn Heb “your servants are men of cattle.”

²¹ sn So that you may live in the land of Goshen. Joseph is apparently trying to stress to Pharaoh that his family is self-sufficient, that they will not be a drain on the economy of Egypt. But they will need land for their animals and so Goshen, located on the edge of Egypt, would be a suitable place for them to live. The settled Egyptians were uneasy with nomadic people, but if Jacob and his family settled in Goshen they would represent no threat.

²² tn Heb “is an abomination.” The Hebrew word תּוֹעֵבָה (to’evah, “abomination”) describes something that is loathsome or off-limits. For other practices the Egyptians considered disgusting, see Gen 43:32 and Exod 8:22.

²³ tn Heb “men of skill.”

²⁴ tn Heb “make them rulers.”

sn Put them in charge of my livestock. Pharaoh is, in effect, offering Joseph’s brothers jobs as royal keepers of livestock, a position mentioned often in Egyptian inscriptions, because the Pharaohs owned huge herds of cattle.

²⁵ tn After the imperative, the prefixed verbal form with vav here indicates consequence.

²⁶ sn Pharaoh’s slaves. The idea of slavery is not attractive to the modern mind, but in the ancient world it was the primary way of dealing with the poor and destitute. If the people became slaves of Pharaoh, it was Pharaoh’s responsibility to feed them and care for them. It was the best way for them to survive the famine.

²⁷ tn After the imperative, the prefixed verbal form with vav here indicates purpose or result.

²⁸ tn The disjunctive clause structure (vav [ו] + subject + negated verb) highlights the statement and brings their argument to a conclusion.