Discovery BoxGenesis 24:56
Context24:56 But he said to them, “Don’t detain me – the Lord 1 has granted me success on my journey. Let me leave now so I may return 2 to my master.”
Genesis 26:27
Context26:27 Isaac asked them, “Why have you come to me? You hate me 3 and sent me away from you.”
Genesis 42:14
Context42:14 But Joseph told them, “It is just as I said to you: 4 You are spies!
Genesis 42:18
Context42:18 On the third day Joseph said to them, “Do as I say 5 and you will live, 6 for I fear God. 7
Genesis 45:24
Context45:24 Then he sent his brothers on their way and they left. He said to them, “As you travel don’t be overcome with fear.” 8
Genesis 50:19
Context50:19 But Joseph answered them, “Don’t be afraid. Am 9 I in the place of God?
[24:56] 1 tn The disjunctive clause is circumstantial, indicating a reason for the preceding request.
[24:56] 2 tn After the preceding imperative, the cohortative with the prefixed conjunction indicates purpose or result.
[26:27] 3 tn The disjunctive clause is circumstantial, expressing the reason for his question.
[42:14] 5 tn Heb “to you, saying.”
[42:18] 8 tn After the preceding imperative, the imperative with vav (ו) can, as here, indicate logical sequence.
[42:18] 9 sn For I fear God. Joseph brings God into the picture to awaken his brothers’ consciences. The godly person cares about the welfare of people, whether they live or die. So he will send grain back, but keep one of them in Egypt. This action contrasts with their crime of selling their brother into slavery.
[45:24] 9 tn Heb “do not be stirred up in the way.” The verb means “stir up.” Some understand the Hebrew verb רָגָז (ragaz, “to stir up”) as a reference to quarreling (see Prov 29:9, where it has this connotation), but in Exod 15:14 and other passages it means “to fear.” This might refer to a fear of robbers, but more likely it is an assuring word that they need not be fearful about returning to Egypt. They might have thought that once Jacob was in Egypt, Joseph would take his revenge on them.
