Genesis 42:23

42:23 (Now ¹  they did not know that Joseph could understand them, ²  for he was speaking through an interpreter.) ³ 

Genesis 19:8

19:8 Look, I have two daughters who have never had sexual relations with ⁴  a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do to them whatever you please. ⁵  Only don’t do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection ⁶  of my roof.” ⁷ 

[42:23]  ¹ tn The disjunctive clause provides supplemental information that is important to the story.

[42:23]  ² tn “was listening.” The brothers were not aware that Joseph could understand them as they spoke the preceding words in their native language.

[42:23]  ³ tn Heb “for [there was] an interpreter between them.” On the meaning of the word here translated “interpreter” see HALOT 590 s.v. מֵלִיץ and M. A. Canney, “The Hebrew melis (Prov IX 12; Gen XLII 2-3),” AJSL 40 (1923/24): 135-37.

[19:8]  ⁴ tn Heb “who have not known.” Here this expression is a euphemism for sexual intercourse.

[19:8]  ⁵ tn Heb “according to what is good in your eyes.”

[19:8]  ⁶ tn Heb “shadow.”

[19:8]  ⁷ sn This chapter portrays Lot as a hypocrite. He is well aware of the way the men live in his city and is apparently comfortable in the midst of it. But when confronted by the angels, he finally draws the line. But he is nevertheless willing to sacrifice his daughters’ virginity to protect his guests. His opposition to the crowds leads to his rejection as a foreigner by those with whom he had chosen to live. The one who attempted to rescue his visitors ends up having to be rescued by them.