Genesis 31:30
Context31:30 Now I understand that 1 you have gone away 2 because you longed desperately 3 for your father’s house. Yet why did you steal my gods?” 4
Genesis 44:23
Context44:23 But you said to your servants, ‘If your youngest brother does not come down with you, you will not see my face again.’


[31:30] 1 tn Heb “and now.” The words “I understand that” have been supplied in the translation for clarity and for stylistic reasons.
[31:30] 2 tn The infinitive absolute appears before the perfect verbal form to emphasize the certainty of the action.
[31:30] 3 tn The infinitive absolute appears before the perfect verbal form to emphasize the degree of emotion involved.
[31:30] 4 sn Yet why did you steal my gods? This last sentence is dropped into the speech rather suddenly. See C. Mabee, “Jacob and Laban: The Structure of Judicial Proceedings,” VT 30 (1980): 192-207, and G. W. Coats, “Self-Abasement and Insult Formulas,” JBL 91 (1972): 90-92.