Genesis 4:10

4:10 But the Lord said, “What have you done? ¹  The voice ²  of your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground!

Genesis 18:21

18:21 that I must go down ³  and see if they are as wicked as the outcry suggests. ⁴  If not, ⁵  I want to know.”

Genesis 26:27

26:27 Isaac asked them, “Why have you come to me? You hate me ⁶  and sent me away from you.”

Genesis 42:20

42:20 But you must bring ⁷  your youngest brother to me. Then ⁸  your words will be verified ⁹  and you will not die.” They did as he said. ¹⁰ 

[4:10]  ¹ sn What have you done? Again the Lord’s question is rhetorical (see Gen 3:13), condemning Cain for his sin.

[4:10]  ² tn The word “voice” is a personification; the evidence of Abel’s shed blood condemns Cain, just as a human eyewitness would testify in court. For helpful insights, see G. von Rad, Biblical Interpretations in Preaching; and L. Morris, “The Biblical Use of the Term ‘Blood,’” JTS 6 (1955/56): 77-82.

[18:21]  ³ tn The cohortative indicates the Lord’s resolve.

[18:21]  ⁴ tn Heb “[if] according to the outcry that has come to me they have done completely.” Even the Lord, who is well aware of the human capacity to sin, finds it hard to believe that anyone could be as bad as the “outcry” against Sodom and Gomorrah suggests.

[18:21]  ⁵ sn The short phrase if not provides a ray of hope and inspires Abraham’s intercession.

[26:27]  ⁵ tn The disjunctive clause is circumstantial, expressing the reason for his question.

[42:20]  ⁷ tn The imperfect here has an injunctive force.

[42:20]  ⁸ tn After the injunctive imperfect, this imperfect with vav indicates purpose or result.

[42:20]  ⁹ tn The Niphal form of the verb has the sense of “to be faithful; to be sure; to be reliable.” Joseph will test his brothers to see if their words are true.

[42:20]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “and they did so.”