Genesis 18:1

Three Special Visitors

18:1 The Lord appeared to Abraham ¹  by the oaks ²  of Mamre while ³  he was sitting at the entrance ⁴  to his tent during the hottest time of the day.

Genesis 24:11

24:11 He made the camels kneel down by the well ⁵  outside the city. It was evening, ⁶  the time when the women would go out to draw water.

Genesis 29:20

29:20 So Jacob worked for seven years to acquire Rachel. ⁷  But they seemed like only a few days to him ⁸  because his love for her was so great. ⁹ 

Genesis 42:18

42:18 On the third day Joseph said to them, “Do as I say ¹⁰  and you will live, ¹¹  for I fear God. ¹² 

¹ tn Heb “him”; the referent (Abraham) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

² tn Or “terebinths.”

³ tn The disjunctive clause here is circumstantial to the main clause.

⁴ tn The Hebrew noun translated “entrance” is an adverbial accusative of place.

⁵ tn Heb “well of water.”

⁶ tn Heb “at the time of evening.”

⁹ tn Heb “in exchange for Rachel.”

¹⁰ sn But they seemed like only a few days to him. This need not mean that the time passed quickly. More likely it means that the price seemed insignificant when compared to what he was getting in the bargain.

¹¹ tn Heb “because of his love for her.” The words “was so great” are supplied for stylistic reasons.

¹³ tn Heb “Do this.”

¹⁴ tn After the preceding imperative, the imperative with vav (ו) can, as here, indicate logical sequence.

¹⁵ sn For I fear God. Joseph brings God into the picture to awaken his brothers’ consciences. The godly person cares about the welfare of people, whether they live or die. So he will send grain back, but keep one of them in Egypt. This action contrasts with their crime of selling their brother into slavery.