Kejadian 3:21-22

3:21 The Lord God made garments from skin ¹  for Adam and his wife, and clothed them. 3:22 And the Lord God said, “Now ²  that the man has become like one of us, ³  knowing ⁴  good and evil, he must not be allowed ⁵  to stretch out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.”

[3:21]  ¹ sn The Lord God made garments from skin. The text gives no indication of how this was done, or how they came by the skins. Earlier in the narrative (v. 7) the attempt of the man and the woman to cover their nakedness with leaves expressed their sense of alienation from each other and from God. By giving them more substantial coverings, God indicates this alienation is greater than they realize. This divine action is also ominous; God is preparing them for the more hostile environment in which they will soon be living (v. 23). At the same time, there is a positive side to the story in that God makes provision for the man’s and woman’s condition.

[3:22]  ² tn The particle הֵן (hen) introduces a foundational clause, usually beginning with “since, because, now.”

[3:22]  ³ sn The man has become like one of us. See the notes on Gen 1:26 and 3:5.

[3:22]  ⁴ tn The infinitive explains in what way the man had become like God: “knowing good and evil.”

[3:22]  ⁵ tn Heb “and now, lest he stretch forth.” Following the foundational clause, this clause forms the main point. It is introduced with the particle פֶּן (pen) which normally introduces a negative purpose, “lest….” The construction is elliptical; something must be done lest the man stretch forth his hand. The translation interprets the point intended.