Genesis 31:6

31:6 You know that I’ve worked for your father as hard as I could, ¹ 

Genesis 49:3

49:3 Reuben, you are my firstborn,

my might and the beginning of my strength,

outstanding in dignity, outstanding in power.

Genesis 4:12

4:12 When you try to cultivate ²  the

ground it will no longer yield ³  its best ⁴  for you. You will be a homeless wanderer ⁵  on the earth.”

[31:6]  ¹ tn Heb “with all my strength.”

[4:12]  ² tn Heb “work.”

[4:12]  ³ tn Heb “it will not again (תֹסֵף, tosef) give (תֵּת, tet),” meaning the ground will no longer yield. In translation the infinitive becomes the main verb, and the imperfect verb form becomes adverbial.

[4:12]  ⁴ tn Heb “its strength.”

[4:12]  ⁵ tn Two similar sounding synonyms are used here: נָע וָנָד (na’ vanad, “a wanderer and a fugitive”). This juxtaposition of synonyms emphasizes the single idea. In translation one can serve as the main description, the other as a modifier. Other translation options include “a wandering fugitive” and a “ceaseless wanderer” (cf. NIV).