Genesis 9:23

9:23 Shem and Japheth took the garment ¹  and placed it on their shoulders. Then they walked in backwards and covered up their father’s nakedness. Their faces were turned ²  the other way so they did not see their father’s nakedness.

Genesis 22:12

22:12 “Do not harm the boy!” ³  the angel said. ⁴  “Do not do anything to him, for now I know ⁵  that you fear ⁶  God because you did not withhold your son, your only son, from me.”

Genesis 29:3

29:3 When all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds ⁷  would roll the stone off the mouth of the well and water the sheep. Then they would put the stone back in its place over the well’s mouth.

Genesis 37:27

37:27 Come, let’s sell him to the Ishmaelites, but let’s not lay a hand on him, ⁸  for after all, he is our brother, our own flesh.” His brothers agreed. ⁹ 

¹ tn The word translated “garment” has the Hebrew definite article on it. The article may simply indicate that the garment is definite and vivid in the mind of the narrator, but it could refer instead to Noah’s garment. Did Ham bring it out when he told his brothers?

² tn Heb “their faces [were turned] back.”

³ tn Heb “Do not extend your hand toward the boy.”

⁴ tn Heb “and he said, ‘Do not extend…’”; the referent (the angel) has been specified in the context for clarity. The order of the introductory clause and the direct discourse has been rearranged in the translation for stylistic reasons.

⁵ sn For now I know. The test was designed to see if Abraham would be obedient (see v. 1).

⁶ sn In this context fear refers by metonymy to obedience that grows from faith.

⁵ tn Heb “they”; the referent (the shepherds) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

⁷ tn Heb “let not our hand be upon him.”

⁸ tn Heb “listened.”