Genesis 3:22

And the Lord God said, “Now ¹  that the man has become like one of us, ²  knowing ³  good and evil, he must not be allowed ⁴  to stretch out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.”

Ge 1:26; Ge 2:9; Ge 3:5; Ge 11:6,7; Ps 22:26; Pr 3:18; Isa 19:12,13; Isa 47:12,13; Jer 22:23; Joh 6:48-58; Re 2:7; Re 22:2

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.