Genesis 44:4

44:4 They had not gone very far from the city ¹  when Joseph said ²  to the servant who was over his household, “Pursue the men at once! ³  When you overtake ⁴  them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid good with evil?

[44:4]  ¹ tn Heb “they left the city, they were not far,” meaning “they had not gone very far.”

[44:4]  ² tn Heb “and Joseph said.” This clause, like the first one in the verse, has the subject before the verb, indicating synchronic action.

[44:4]  ³ tn Heb “arise, chase after the men.” The first imperative gives the command a sense of urgency.

[44:4]  ⁴ tn After the imperative this perfect verbal form with vav consecutive has the same nuance of instruction. In the translation it is subordinated to the verbal form that follows (also a perfect with vav consecutive): “and overtake them and say,” becomes “when you overtake them, say.”