² sn This decree was a formal decree from the Roman Senate.

¹ tn Heb “a covenant,” referring to a formal peace treaty or alliance.

¹ tn The Hebrew text adds “so that” here, formally connecting this clause with the next.

¹ sn Though there is no formal introduction, these words are apparently spoken by the Lord (note my sword).

³ tn The “upright” is an independent nominative absolute; the pronoun becomes the formal (emphatic) subject of the verb.

² tn The word נְאֻם (n^eʾum) is used frequently in the OT of a formal divine announcement through a prophet.

¹ tn The meaning is that of writing down a formal charge against someone (cf. Job 31:15).

² tn Heb “the oracle of the Lord.” The phrase refers to a formal oracle or decree from the Lord.

² tn BDAG 326 s.v. ἐμφανίζω 3 has “ἐ. τινὶ κατά τινος bring formal charges against someone…Ac 24:1; 25:2.”

² sn Note how quickly the Jewish leadership went after Paul: They brought formal charges against him within three days of Festus’ arrival in the province.

⁵ tn BDAG 326 s.v. ἐμφανίζω 3 has “ἐ. τινὶ κατά τινος bring formal charges against someone…Ac 24:1; 25:2.”

² sn A touch of drama may be present, as the term calls together can mean a formal celebration (1 Kgs 1:9-10).

¹ tn There is no formal interrogative sign here, but the context seems to indicate these are rhetorical questions. See GKC 473 §150.a.

³ tn Heb “it is folly to him and shame.” The verse uses formal parallelism, with the second colon simply completing the thought of the first.

¹ tn The first verb is clearly a cohortative form, expressing the psalmist’s resolve. The second verb, while formally ambiguous, should also be understood as cohortative here.

³ tn Heb “the cutters of my covenant according to sacrifice.” A sacrifice accompanied the covenant-making ceremony and formally ratified the agreement (see Exod 24:3-8).

³ tn Or “invokes a blessing on himself.” A formalized word of blessing is in view, the content of which appears later in the verse.

² tn The Hebrew text has “they shall blow an alarm”; the sentence without a formal subject should be taken as a passive idea.

¹ tn The disjunctive clause formally signals closure for this episode of Joseph’s story, which will be resumed in Gen 39.

³ sn He has never had formal instruction. Ironically when the Jewish leaders came face-to-face with the Word become flesh—the preexistent Logos, creator of the universe and divine Wisdom personified—they treated him as an untaught, unlearned person, without the formal qualifications to be a teacher.