Genesis 44:4-6

New English Translation

Footnotes

1. Genesis 44:4 tn Heb “they left the city, they were not far,” meaning “they had not gone very far.”
2. Genesis 44:4 tn Heb “and Joseph said.” This clause, like the first one in the verse, has the subject before the verb, indicating synchronic action.
3. Genesis 44:4 tn Heb “arise, chase after the men.” The first imperative gives the command a sense of urgency.
4. Genesis 44:4 tn After the imperative this perfect verbal form with vav consecutive has the same nuance of instruction. In the translation it is subordinated to the verbal form that follows (also a perfect with vav consecutive): “and overtake them and say,” becomes “when you overtake them, say.”
5. Genesis 44:5 tn Heb “Is this not what my master drinks from.” The word “cup” is not in the Hebrew text, but is obviously the referent of “this,” and so has been supplied in the translation for clarity.
6. Genesis 44:5 tn Heb “and he, divining, divines with it.” The infinitive absolute is emphatic, stressing the importance of the cup to Joseph.
7. Genesis 44:5 tn Heb “you have caused to be evil what you have done.”
8. Genesis 44:6 tn Heb “and he”; the referent (the man who was in charge of Joseph’s household) has been specified in the translation for clarity.