Discovery BoxGenesis 3:24 
Context3:24 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 14:23
Context14:23 that I will take nothing 5 belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal. That way you can never say, ‘It is I 6 who made Abram rich.’
Genesis 19:31
Context19:31 Later the older daughter said 7 to the younger, “Our father is old, and there is no man anywhere nearby 8 to have sexual relations with us, 9 according to the way of all the world.
Genesis 28:5
Context28:5 So Isaac sent Jacob on his way, and he went to Paddan Aram, to Laban son of Bethuel the Aramean and brother of Rebekah, the mother of Jacob and Esau.
Genesis 41:36
Context41:36 This food should be held in storage for the land in preparation for the seven years of famine that will occur throughout the land of Egypt. In this way the land will survive the famine.” 10
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
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 The oath formula is elliptical, reading simply: “…if I take.” It is as if Abram says, “[May the
6 tn The Hebrew text adds the independent pronoun (“I”) to the verb form for emphasis.
7 tn Heb “and the firstborn said.”
8 tn Or perhaps “on earth,” in which case the statement would be hyperbolic; presumably there had been some men living in the town of Zoar to which Lot and his daughters had initially fled.
9 tn Heb “to enter upon us.” This is a euphemism for sexual relations.
10 tn Heb “and the land will not be cut off in the famine.”
