Genesis 1:3

1:3 God said, ¹  “Let there be ²  light.” ³  And there was light!

Genesis 19:7

19:7 He said, “No, my brothers! Don’t act so wickedly! ⁴ 

Genesis 19:18

19:18 But Lot said to them, “No, please, Lord! ⁵ 

Genesis 21:24

21:24 Abraham said, “I swear to do this.” ⁶ 

Genesis 24:34

24:34 “I am the servant of Abraham,” he began.

Genesis 27:35

27:35 But Isaac ⁷  replied, “Your brother came in here deceitfully and took away ⁸  your blessing.”

Genesis 30:28

30:28 He added, “Just name your wages – I’ll pay whatever you want.” ⁹ 

Genesis 30:34

30:34 “Agreed!” said Laban, “It will be as you say.” ¹⁰ 

Genesis 33:12

33:12 Then Esau ¹¹  said, “Let’s be on our way! ¹²  I will go in front of you.”

[1:3]  ¹ tn The prefixed verb form with the vav (ו) consecutive introduces the narrative sequence. Ten times in the chapter the decree of God in creation will be so expressed. For the power of the divine word in creation, see Ps 33:9, John 1:1-3, 1 Cor 8:6, and Col 1:16.

[1:3]  ² tn “Let there be” is the short jussive form of the verb “to be”; the following expression “and there was” is the short preterite form of the same verb. As such, יְהִי (yÿhi) and וַיְהִי (vayÿhi) form a profound wordplay to express both the calling into existence and the complete fulfillment of the divine word.

[1:3]  ³ sn Light. The Hebrew word simply means “light,” but it is used often in scripture to convey the ideas of salvation, joy, knowledge, righteousness, and life. In this context one cannot ignore those connotations, for it is the antithesis of the darkness. The first thing God does is correct the darkness; without the light there is only chaos.

[19:7]  ⁴ tn Heb “may my brothers not act wickedly.”

[19:18]  ⁷ tn Or “my lords.” See the following note on the problem of identifying the addressee here. The Hebrew term is אֲדֹנָי (’adonay).

[21:24]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “I swear.” No object is specified in the Hebrew text, but the content of the oath requested by Abimelech is the implied object.

[27:35]  ¹³ tn Heb “and he said”; the referent (Isaac) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[27:35]  ¹⁴ tn Or “took”; “received.”

[30:28]  ¹⁶ tn Heb “set your wage for me so I may give [it].”

[30:34]  ¹⁹ tn Heb “and Laban said, ‘Good, let it be according to your word.’” On the asseverative use of the particle לוּ (lu) here, see HALOT 521 s.v. לוּ.

[33:12]  ²² tn Heb “and he”; the referent (Esau) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[33:12]  ²³ tn Heb “let us travel and let us go.” The two cohortatives are used in combination with the sense, “let’s travel along, get going, be on our way.”