Genesis
Genesis front
Introduction to Genesis
Part 1: General Introduction
In the book of Genesis, God communicates to all people the early history of the universe. He begins with how he created everything from nothing, including the earth and all the heavenly bodies (sun, moon, stars), all the plants and animals, and especially how he created human beings in his image to be in a relationship with him. This book also explains how sin and death came into the world and what God’s plan is to save people from that. In fact, all the important teachings in the Bible begin in Genesis. That makes this book foundational and important for everyone so that they can know and understand the truth about God and his plan for their lives.
Beginning with verse 1, the book of Genesis is a narrative that tells the history of events that actually happened. This is confirmed by the fact that the conjunctions and the forms of the verbs that are used in the Hebrew text reflect the Hebrew narrative style, which is used to narrate historical accounts. In the same way, those who translate the book of Genesis should also use grammatical structures in their languages that are used for true, historical narratives. God uses narrative, which is one of the most interesting styles of communication, to not only tell people about the events in the early history of the world, but also to teach them about himself and about the way he interacts with people as their loving Creator.
Genesis provides the vital context for the rest of God’s Word, especially the gospel message about Jesus, and so it helps people to understand their need for him to be their Savior. In fact, without Genesis, it would not be clear why everyone needs to trust in Jesus as the only one who can save them from sin and its consequences, so that they can associate with God and be part of his eternal family.
In light of all that, Genesis should be one of the first books of the Bible that is translated into every language that needs a translation. May God guide and bless you and your translation team as you undertake this important task together by his power.
Author and date of writing
Moses was the human author of the first five books of the Bible, including the book of Genesis (Exodus 24:3-4; Deuteronomy 31:9, 24; John 1:45). The Holy Spirit is the one who inspired what Moses wrote in those books (2 Peter 1:21), so ultimately God is the author, and these books are part of his Message to mankind. Those five books are sometimes referred to as the Torah (a Hebrew word that means “teaching,” “instruction,” or “law”) or the Pentateuch (a Greek word that means “five books”). In the New Testament this set of books is also referred to as “the Law” (John 1:45) or “the Law of Moses” (Acts 28:23), and Jesus himself affirmed that Moses wrote them (John 5:46-47; 7:23).
Moses was born in the country of Egypt around 1526 B.C. (Exodus 2:1-10). According to the genealogies in Genesis, his birth was about 1,000 years after the Flood (which was about 1,650 years after creation). Moses may have written much of the Pentateuch during the forty years that he led the people of Israel as they wandered in the wilderness (around 1446 B.C.—1406 B.C.).
The very first verse in Genesis assumes that God (the author guiding the human author) has always existed and that he has no beginning and no end (also see Genesis 21:33; Deuteronomy 33:27; Psalm 90:2). He uses his personal name “Yahweh” for the first time in Genesis 2:4. The name “Yahweh” means “he is” and indicates that God is eternal. His name also means that he is unchanging and that he is always present.
Book outline
In all, Genesis covers a span of about 2200 years of history. After the world’s early history, the rest of Genesis tells about the ancestors of God’s people, with special focus on Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph (and their families). Genealogies are an important part of what ties the book together from beginning to end.
The following outline shows these two main divisions in the book of Genesis: (1) Early World History, and (2) The History about the Ancestors of God’s Chosen People. Those two divisions each have roughly four main subdivisions, which are based on four key events (in the first division) and four key ancestors (in the second division). Some scholars prefer to divide the book up into ten divisions that are introduced by the Hebrew phrase that means “these are the generations of...” In the outline below, asterisks mark the sections that contain that phrase. The phrase is found in Genesis 2:4 (heavens and earth), 5:1 (Adam), 6:9 (Noah), 10:1, 32 (sons of Noah), 11:10 (Shem), 11:27 (Terah), 25:12 (Ishmael), 25:19 (Isaac), 36:1, 9 (Esau), and 37:2 (Jacob).
Bolded words in the outline show which sections contain promises and covenants from God and also mark who the main ancestors were in the various sub-divisions.
Division 1: Early World History
Creation - God creates the universe and everything in it (1:1-2:3) - Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden (2:4-25)\*
The Fall - The first sin and God’s judgment; prophecy of Christ (3:1-24) - promise - Cain and Abel: the first murder; Cain’s descendants (4:1-26) - The descendants of Adam to Noah (5:1-32)\*
The Flood - God destroys the world with a flood, puts rainbow in the sky - covenant (6:1-9:17)\* - Noah curses his son Ham and his grandson Canaan, blesses other sons (9:18-27) - The descendants of Noah’s sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth (10:1-32)\\
Tower of Babel - Mankind rebels against God at Babel, so God creates many different languages and scatters the people over the earth (11:1-9)
Division 2: The History about the Ancestors of God’s Chosen People
The history about Abraham [Genesis 11:10-25:11] - The descendants of Shem to Abram (11:10-26)\* - Terah and his three sons’ families in Haran; Terah dies (11:27-32)\* - Abram travels to Canaan with Sarai and his nephew Lot (12:1-9) - promise - Abram lies about Sarai to Pharaoh, king of Egypt (12:10-20) - Back in the Negev Desert, Abram and Lot part ways (13:1-18) - promise - War of the kings; Abram rescues Lot and the other citizens of Sodom (14:1-17) - Melchizedek blesses Abram; Abram refuses bounty from king of Sodom (14:18-24) - God’s covenant with Abram (15:1-21) - promise - Hagar and Ishmael (16:1-16) - New names: Abraham and Sarah; covenant of circumcision (17:1-27) - promise - Three men visit Abram, Yahweh renews promise, Sarah laughs (18:1-15) - promise - Abram pleads with Yahweh to spare Sodom (18:16-33) - Lot and two daughters escape destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (19:1-29) - Lot’s grandsons: the ancestors of the Moabites and Ammonites (19:30-38) - Abraham lies about Sarah to Abimelech, king of the Philistines (20:1-18) - Isaac is born to Sarah; Ishmael grows up in the desert (21:1-21) - Abraham makes a treaty with King Abimelech at Beersheba (21:22-34) - God tests Abraham by commanding him to sacrifice Isaac (22:1-19) - promise - Sarah dies and Abraham buys burial property in the land of Canaan (23:1-20) - God provides Rebekah as a wife for Isaac (24:1-67) - Abraham’s descendants by second wife Keturah (25:1-6) - Abraham dies and is buried by Isaac and Ishmael (25:7-11)
The history about Ishmael and Isaac [Genesis 25:12-35:29] - Ishmael’s descendants and his death (25:12-18)\* - Isaac’s sons Esau and Jacob; Esau sells his birthright (25:19-34)\* - Isaac lies about Rebekah to Abimelech, king of the Philistines (26:1-22) - promise - God’s covenant with Isaac in Beersheba; treaty with Abimelech (26:23-33)
The history about Esau and Jacob [Genesis 26:34-36:43] - Jacob steals Esau’s blessing; Esau plans revenge (26:34-27:46) - Jacob flees and heads to Haran; stairway to heaven at Bethel (28:1-22) - promise - Jacob works for Laban to marry his wives Leah and Rachel (29:1-30) - Jacob’s wives have his first eleven sons (29:31-30:24) - Jacob becomes wealthy while working for Laban (30:25-43) - Jacob and his family flee from Laban; Jacob’s treaty with Laban (31:1-55) - Jacob wrestles with God, who names him Israel (32:1-32) - Jacob and Esau reconcile, and Jacob settles in the city of Shechem (33:1-20) - Shechem rapes Dinah, and Jacob’s sons take revenge (34:1-31) - God blesses Jacob at Bethel (35:1-15) - promise - Rachel dies giving birth to Benjamin (35:16-20) - List of Jacob’s twelve sons; Isaac dies and is buried by Esau and Jacob (35:16-29) - Esau’s descendants, the Edomites (36:1-43)\\
The history about Jacob and Joseph [Genesis 37-50] - Jacob’s family; Joseph’s dreams anger his brothers (37:1-11)\* - Joseph sold as a slave and taken to the country of Egypt (37:12-36) - Judah and his daughter-in-law Tamar have children (38:1-30) - Potiphar’s wife falsely accuses Joseph, and he is imprisoned (39:1-23) - In the prison, Joseph interprets dreams for Pharaoh’s officials (40:1-23) - Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams about famine (41:1-40) - As governor over Egypt, Joseph stores up grain; he has two sons (41:41-57) - Joseph’s brothers come to Egypt to buy grain, then return to Jacob (42:1-38) - All Joseph’s brothers return to Egypt and have a meal with him (43:1-34) - Joseph tests his brothers with his silver cup (44:1-17) - Judah pleads with Joseph for Benjamin’s freedom (44:18-34) - Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers; they give the news to Jacob (45:1-28) - Jacob and his family move to Egypt; list of his descendants (46:1-27) - Joseph settles Jacob and his family in the land of Goshen (47:1-12) - Joseph sells grain to all the people of Egypt (37:13-31) - Jacob blesses Joseph’s sons Ephraim and Manasseh (48:1-22) - Jacob blesses each of his 12 sons (49:1-28) - Jacob’s death (49:29-33) - Joseph has his father Jacob embalmed and buries him in Canaan (50:1-14) - Joseph reassures his brothers that he has forgiven them (50:15-21) - Joseph’s death (Gen 50:22-26)
Special formatting
The book of Genesis sometimes uses poetic language to emphasize what is being said. Many translations use a special format to identify these passages as poetry by indenting each clause on a new line. Many other translations do not do this, but rather use regular paragraph formatting everywhere, including for poetry. It may be helpful to look at a translation in the national language of your country that uses poetry formatting, to help you decide whether or not you want to do something similar in your translation. Some translations put some of the following passages in poetry format since these verses have certain features of poetry such as parallelisms and metaphors: Genesis 1:27; 2:23; 3:14-16, 17b-19; 4:23-24; 8:22; 9:6, 25-27; 12:2-3; 14:19-20; 15:1; 16:11-12; 24:60; 25:23; 27:27-29, 39-40; 48:15-16, 20; 49:1-27. You may not want to put all these passages in poetry format since some of them have parallelisms that are not necessarily poetry but may just be emphasizing certain events in the narrative or certain points in a prophecy.
Genesis 1
Possible titles for this book:
- “Genesis”
- “The Book of Genesis”
- “Genesis: The First Book By Moses”
- “Genesis: The Book About Beginnings”
- “The First Book That God's Prophet/Spokesman Moses Wrote: Genesis”
The English title “Genesis” is a transliteration of a Greek word that means “origin” or “beginning” or “birth”; the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures (the Septuagint) uses this word for the first time in Genesis 2:4. The Hebrew title of this book בְּרֵאשִׁית (pronounced “bereshith”) is the first Hebrew word in verse 1 and literally means “In the beginning.” The Latin translation of the Bible (the Latin Vulgate) was the first translation to use the title “The Book of Genesis.” Since that time, many other translations include “Genesis” in the book title because people are familiar with that name. Sometimes as part of the title, translators also include the fact that Moses was the author and that he was inspired by God. Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 1:1
In the beginning
Quote: בְּרֵאשִׁ֖ית (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
“At the beginning of time/everything” or “This is how everything began:” The first chapter of Genesis is a true historical narrative (which is indicated by the Hebrew language structures that are used throughout the chapter), and verse 1 records the first event in that history. This is confirmed by the wider context of the Scriptures, which teach us that God created everything out of nothing at the very beginning of the world (Psalm 33:6, 9; Hebrews 11:3). Some languages must use a verb (“began”) in verse 1 rather than an abstract noun (“beginning”). Do what is best in your language.
God
Quote: אֱלֹהִ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-key-terms
Translate the title “God” in a way that refers to the Supreme Being who created everything, who has complete power, who knows everything and is present everywhere. He is the only true God and has always existed.
created
Quote: בָּרָ֣א (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-key-terms
“made”. In the Hebrew Bible, the verb “create” refers to an activity that only God does, and it often implies (as it does here) that he made something out of nothing. Also, the forms of the verbs in the Hebrew text (and the conjunctions) show that chapter 1 is a narrative that tells about true history and events in the order that things actually happened. Make sure that your translation does the same thing.
the heavens
Quote: אֵ֥ת הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-key-terms
“the sky”. This phrase refers here to the region where all the stars and planets would later exist. Keep that in mind as you translate this term.
and the earth
Quote: וְאֵ֥ת הָאָֽרֶץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-key-terms
This phrase refers to the planet earth.
Genesis 1:2
Now the earth
Quote: וְהָאָ֗רֶץ (1)“Now at first after that, the earth” or “At first after that, the earth”. The author pauses here to describe what the earth and the heavens were like after God first created them (verse 1). Some languages use a conjunction like “Now” to introduce that information; other languages do not use a conjunction here. Do what is natural in your language. Also, be consistent here with how you translated “the earth” in verse 1.
was formless and empty
Quote: הָיְתָ֥ה תֹ֨הוּ֙ וָבֹ֔הוּ (1)It is not clear what the earth looked like at that time, but it did not have its present shape and order. Also, the Hebrew text is ambiguous here. It could mean: (1) “was formless/shapeless and empty/desolate,” or “did not have its present form, and there was nothing living on it yet,” or (2) “completely empty/desolate,” which treats the text as a hendiadys. However, it is best to keep both terms separate in your translation (as they are in the Hebrew text).
and darkness {was} over the surface of the deep {waters
Quote: וְחֹ֖שֶׁךְ עַל פְּנֵ֣י תְה֑וֹם (1)“It was totally/completely dark, there was deep water everywhere,” or “There was deep water everywhere that was covered/surrounded in/by complete/total darkness,” For some languages it is more natural to begin a new sentence here. Do what is best in your language.
and the Spirit of God was hovering
Quote: וְר֣וּחַ אֱלֹהִ֔ים מְרַחֶ֖פֶת (1)The Hebrew text is ambiguous here. It could mean: (1) “and God’s Spirit was hovering/moving” or (2) “and a wind from God was blowing” or (3) “and a powerful wind was blowing”. The first interpretation is most likely, since the Hebrew verb “hovering” does not describe what wind does.
over the surface of the waters
Quote: עַל פְּנֵ֥י הַמָּֽיִם (1)“over the surface of the water.” or “above the waters/water.” Throughout this chapter, the word “waters” is in the plural in the Hebrew text. For some languages it is more natural to use the singular “water”. Do what is best in your language in each context.
Genesis 1:3
Then God said
Quote: וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֖ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“Then God commanded,” What God says in verse 3 is a command. Consider whether or not it is best in your language to make that explicit in this quote margin.
Let there be light
Quote: יְהִ֣י א֑וֹר (1)“Let light exist.” or “I command there to be light.” or “I command light to start shining!” This is a command, not a permission or a suggestion. It is a direct quote of what God actually said, and it is usually put between quotation marks in a translation. If you use an exclamation point with this command in your translation, make sure it does not mean or imply that God was angry. Also, the way you translate “light” should refer to what shines from a source of light; it does not refer here to the source itself.
And there was light
Quote: וַֽיְהִי אֽוֹר (1)“And/So immediately there was light.” or “And so/immediately light started shining.” Light began to shine immediately as a result of God’s command.
Genesis 1:4
And God saw
Quote: וַיַּ֧רְא אֱלֹהִ֛ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases
“And he saw/observed” or “God/He saw/observed”. Notice that Hebrew frequently uses a conjunction such as “And” or “Then” at the beginning of a sentence. Some languages do not use conjunctions as frequently as Hebrew uses conjunctions. Do what is accurate and natural in your language in each context.
the light, that {it was} good
Quote: אֶת הָא֖וֹר כִּי ט֑וֹב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-key-terms
“that the light was good/excellent.” In the Bible, “good” is an important theme. Throughout chapter 1, it especially means that what God created was high quality, complete, and had no defects; in other words, it had all the characteristics and functions that God intended it to have. It also includes the idea that what God created was untainted by sin and reflected his good character (Psalm 19:1; Romans 1:20). The focus here is not on how pleased or satisfied God was.
Then God separated
Quote: וַיַּבְדֵּ֣ל אֱלֹהִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
In order to produce an accurate and natural translation, it is important in each context to make sure that nouns (such as “God”) and pronouns (such as “he”) are used properly in your language. In the Hebrew text, “God” is repeated frequently in chapter 1 to emphasize him and show that he is in focus. For some languages it is more natural to say “God” only once at the beginning of each paragraph or section, and then use pronouns to refer to him the rest of the time (or most of the time). Throughout chapter 1, do what is best in your language each time that you refer to God.
Then God separated between the light and the darkness
Quote: וַיַּבְדֵּ֣ל אֱלֹהִ֔ים בֵּ֥ין הָא֖וֹר וּבֵ֥ין הַחֹֽשֶׁךְ (1)“Then God/he separated/divided the light from the darkness so that each had its own time.” or “Then God/he caused the light to have its own time and the darkness to have its own time.” or “Then God/he separated the light from the darkness so that it would be light for a number of hours, and then dark for a number of hours.”
Genesis 1:5
And God called
Quote: וַיִּקְרָ֨א אֱלֹהִ֤ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases
“Then God/he called/named” or “God/He called/named”. Some languages omit the connecting word “And” or “Then” here. Consider what is the best way in your language to connect this sentence with the previous one.
the light Day
Quote: לָאוֹר֙ י֔וֹם (1)“the light Daytime,” Notice that in this context the word “Day” refers only to the time when the sun is shining, not to the 24-hour time period that makes up a complete day. Make sure that this is clear in your translation. Throughout chapter 1, some translations use quote marks around the names that God gives the different things he created. Do what is best in your language.
and the darkness he called Night
Quote: וְלַחֹ֖שֶׁךְ קָ֣רָא לָ֑יְלָה (1)“and the darkness he called/named Nighttime.” or “and he called/named the darkness Nighttime.” In the Hebrew text, “the darkness” is first in this clause to emphasize the contrast between the light and the darkness. Consider what is the best way to translate this clause in your language.
Then there was evening, and there was morning
Quote: וַֽיְהִי עֶ֥רֶב וַֽיְהִי בֹ֖קֶר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential
“Then evening came, and then/later morning came,” The evening and the morning are the parts of a 24-hour day that separate the hours of daytime (light) from the hours of nighttime (darkness): Evening came at the end of each daytime after God finished his work of creating. Then after about 12 hours of nighttime, morning came, which began the next 12 hours of daytime when God did more work. Make sure your translation does not sound like morning came immediately after evening. Some languages have a one-word conjunction that means “and then” or “and later” and would fit well here.
one day
Quote: י֥וֹם אֶחָֽד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
“and that was day one.” or “and that was the end of the first day.” Here “day” refers to a full 24-hour day. Also, the Hebrew text uses a cardinal number (“one”) here, but then uses ordinal numbers (“second,” “third,” and so on) for the rest of the days of the creation week. Some languages need to use an ordinal number (“first”) here too. Other languages use cardinal numbers throughout (“day one,” “day two,” and so on). Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 1:6
Then God said
Quote: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“Then God commanded,” See how you translated this phrase in verse 3.
Let there be an expanse
Quote: יְהִ֥י רָקִ֖יעַ (1)“Let there be a large/vast space” or “I command there to be a large/vast expanse/space” or “I command a large/vast space to form/exist”. The Hebrew word for “expanse” here describes a large space that is “spread out.” It was not solid, but rather it was open and empty and could be seen through and flown through (verse 20). It was probably also curved, following the spherical shape of the earth. See how you translated “Let there be” in verse 3.
in the middle of the waters
Quote: בְּת֣וֹךְ הַמָּ֑יִם (1)“in the middle of the water,” See how you translated “waters” in verse 2.
and let it separate the waters from the waters
Quote: וִיהִ֣י מַבְדִּ֔יל בֵּ֥ין מַ֖יִם לָמָֽיִם (1)“and let it separate/divide the water above it from the water below it.” or “so that it separates/divides the waters/water into two separate/different places.”
Genesis 1:7
So God made
Quote: וַיַּ֣עַשׂ אֱלֹהִים֮ (1)“In that way God/he made/created” or “That is how God/he made/created”. Verse 7 explains what God’s command in verse 6 caused to happen, and it repeats some of the same words and phrases. Make sure that your translation of these verses does not sound like God created the expanse twice.
the expanse
Quote: אֶת הָרָקִיעַ֒ (1)“a large/vast space”
and separated
Quote: וַיַּבְדֵּ֗ל (1)“and divided” or “and used it to separate/divide”
between the waters that {were} under the expanse and the waters that {were} above the expanse
Quote: בֵּ֤ין הַמַּ֨יִם֙ אֲשֶׁר֙ מִתַּ֣חַת לָרָקִ֔יעַ וּבֵ֣ין הַמַּ֔יִם אֲשֶׁ֖ר מֵעַ֣ל לָרָקִ֑יעַ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“the water that was below the expanse/space from the water that was above it.” or “the water that was under/below it from the water that was above it.” For some languages it is more natural to use a pronoun (“it”) here to refer to the expanse, since it was just mentioned earlier in the verse. Each language has its own system of when to use nouns or pronouns to refer to people, places, and things. In each context, do what is clear and natural in your language.
And it was so
Quote: וַֽיְהִי כֵֽן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“That is the way it happened.” or “Everything was/happened exactly as he commanded it to be/happen.”
Genesis 1:8
And God called
Quote: וַיִּקְרָ֧א אֱלֹהִ֛ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases
“God/He called/named” or “and God/he called/named”. Consider whether it is more natural in your language to begin a new sentence here (with or without a conjunction) or to continue the sentence that began at the end of verse 7. Also see how you translated this phrase in verse 5.
the expanse
Quote: לָֽרָקִ֖יעַ (1)“the large/vast space”. See how you translated this phrase in verses 6 and 7.
Heavens
Quote: שָׁמָ֑יִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-key-terms
“Sky.” This word probably refers here to the atmosphere above the earth’s surface where clouds are and where birds fly, as well as the space where the sun, moon, and stars are now. Be consistent here with how you translated this term in verse 1.
Then there was evening, and there was morning
Quote: וַֽיְהִי עֶ֥רֶב וַֽיְהִי בֹ֖קֶר (1)“Then evening came, and then/later morning came,” See how you translated this sentence in verse 5, and see the note about that there.
the second day
Quote: י֥וֹם שֵׁנִֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
“and that was the end of the second day.” or “and the second day ended.” or “and that was the end of day two.” Consider whether it is more natural in your language to use an ordinal number (“second”) here or a cardinal number (“two”).
Genesis 1:9
Then God said
Quote: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֗ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“Then God commanded,” See how you translated this phrase in verses 3 and 6.
Let the waters under the heavens be gathered
Quote: יִקָּו֨וּ הַמַּ֜יִם מִתַּ֤חַת הַשָּׁמַ֨יִם֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
“Let the water that is under the heavens/sky gather/come together” or “I command the water that is below the heavens/sky to gather/come together”. Consider whether it is better here in your language to use a passive form of the verb (“be gathered”) or an active form (“gather” or “come”).
to one place
Quote: אֶל מָק֣וֹם אֶחָ֔ד (1)“in one place/area” or “into one area”
and let the dry ground appear
Quote: וְתֵרָאֶ֖ה הַיַּבָּשָׁ֑ה (1)“so that there is dry ground/land.” or “so that dry ground/land can be seen.” or “so that land is uncovered and dries off.” The water had been covering the land, so when the water receded from it, the land became exposed and dried off. Make sure that the way you translate “dry ground” does not sound like the land was dry while it was under the water.
And it was so
Quote: וַֽיְהִי כֵֽן (1)“And that is exactly what happened.” or “And it was/happened exactly as God commanded it to be/happen.” See how you translated this sentence in verse 7. It may be necessary to translate it in different ways, depending on the context.
Genesis 1:10
And God called
Quote: וַיִּקְרָ֨א אֱלֹהִ֤ים (1)“Then God/he called/named”
the dry ground
Quote: לַיַּבָּשָׁה֙ (1)“the dry land” or “the ground/land that had dried off”
Land
Quote: אֶ֔רֶץ (1)“Ground,” This is the same Hebrew word that is translated as “earth” in verse 1, but here it refers to the dry land or ground (in contrast to the water), and not to the entire planet.
and the gathered waters he called
Quote: וּלְמִקְוֵ֥ה הַמַּ֖יִם קָרָ֣א (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“and the waters/water that he had gathered together he called/named” or “and he called/named the gathered waters” or “and he called/named the waters/water that had gathered/come together”. See how you translated a sentence in verse 5 that is similar in structure to this sentence.
Seas
Quote: יַמִּ֑ים (1)“Oceans.” or “Sea/Ocean.” At that time there was probably just one very large body of water and one very large land mass on the earth (as verse 9 indicates). So a singular noun that refers to the largest body of water, such as “Ocean” or “Sea”, could be used here in your translation.
And God saw
Quote: וַיַּ֥רְא אֱלֹהִ֖ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“And he saw/observed” or “God/He saw/observed”. Decide whether it is more natural in your language to use a noun (“God”) or a pronoun (“he”) in this context. See how you translated this phrase in verse 4.
that {it was} good
Quote: כִּי טֽוֹב (1)“that what he had made was good/excellent.” or “that the land and the seas/ocean were good/excellent.” Some languages cannot use a pronoun (“it”) here, but have to specify what was good. Do what is best in your language. Also see how you translated the word “good” in verse 4, and see the note about that there.
Genesis 1:11
Then God said
Quote: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֗ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“Then God commanded,”
Let the land sprout vegetation
Quote: תַּֽדְשֵׁ֤א הָאָ֨רֶץ֙ דֶּ֔שֶׁא (1)“I command the land/ground to grow/produce green plants,” or “The land/ground must now be covered with green plants,” The Hebrew word for “vegetation” refers generally here to any kind of green plant and includes the plants and trees that are mentioned next in this verse. Also, see how you translated “Land” in verse 10.
every} plant yielding seed
Quote: עֵ֚שֶׂב מַזְרִ֣יעַ זֶ֔רַע (1)“including every kind/type of plant that produces/has seeds” or “including all kinds/types of plants that produce/have seeds”. This phrase refers to many different kinds of plants, not just one plant or one seed. Make sure that is clear in your translation. Also, these kinds of plants have soft stems and include vegetable plants, herbs and other plants that produce edible seeds, such as rice, corn, and wheat.
every} fruit tree bearing fruit according to its kind
Quote: עֵ֣ץ פְּרִ֞י עֹ֤שֶׂה פְּרִי֙ לְמִינ֔וֹ (1)“and fruit trees that bear/produce fruit, each according to its own kind/type,” or “and every kind/type of fruit tree that bears/produces/has its own kind/type of fruit” or “and all kinds/types of fruit trees that bear/produce/have their own kind/type of fruit”. The phrase “according to its kind” emphasizes that each different kind of tree produces its own kind of fruit and seeds, which grow and become only that kind of tree. For example, apple trees always produce apples with apple seeds, never peaches or cherries, or any other kind of fruit or seeds.
that {has} its seed inside it
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֥ר זַרְעוֹ ב֖וֹ (1)“that has seeds inside,” or “with seeds inside,” or “with its own kind/type of seeds inside it,”
on the earth
Quote: עַל הָאָ֑רֶץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“throughout the earth.” or “all over the earth.” For some languages it is clearer and more natural to put this phrase earlier in this verse and say, “Let the land sprout vegetation on/throughout the earth …” Do what is best in your language.
And it was so
Quote: וַֽיְהִי כֵֽן (1)“And that is exactly what happened:” or “And it/everything happened exactly as God commanded it to happen:” Either a period or a colon can be used here, but a colon more clearly shows that verse 12 gives the details of what happened. This is different from verse 7, where the details of what happened come before “And it was so”, and from verse 9, where no additional details are given.
Genesis 1:12
So the land brought out vegetation
Quote: וַתּוֹצֵ֨א הָאָ֜רֶץ דֶּ֠שֶׁא (1)“The land sprouted/produced vegetation/plants,” or “The land started growing/producing green plants,” Verse 12 explains what God’s command in verse 11 caused to happen, and it repeats some of the same words and phrases. Make sure that your translation of these verses does not sound like God created the plants twice.
every} plant yielding seed according to its kind
Quote: עֵ֣שֶׂב מַזְרִ֤יעַ זֶ֨רַע֙ לְמִינֵ֔הוּ (1)“including plants that produce/have seeds, each according to its own kind/type,” or “including every kind/type of plant that produces/has seeds that grow into the same kind/type of plant,” or “including all kinds/types of plants that produce/have their own kind/type of seeds,”
and {every} tree bearing fruit that {has} its seed inside it, according to its kind
Quote: וְעֵ֧ץ עֹֽשֶׂה פְּרִ֛י אֲשֶׁ֥ר זַרְעוֹ ב֖וֹ לְמִינֵ֑הוּ (1)“and trees that bear/produce fruit with seeds inside, each according to its own kind.” or “and every kind/type of tree that produces/has fruit with seeds that grow into the same kind/type of tree.” or “and all kinds/types of trees that produce/have their own kind/type of seed-bearing fruit.”
And God saw
Quote: וַיַּ֥רְא אֱלֹהִ֖ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases
“And he saw/observed” or “God/He saw/observed”. Consider whether or not it is more natural in your language to begin this sentence with a conjunction.
that {it was} good
Quote: כִּי טֽוֹב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“that what he had made/created was good/excellent.” or “that all the plants and trees were good/excellent.” See how you translated this clause in verse 10. Some languages have to specify what was good. Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 1:13
Then there was evening, and there was morning
Quote: וַֽיְהִי עֶ֥רֶב וַֽיְהִי בֹ֖קֶר (1)“Then evening came, and then/later morning came,” See how you translated this sentence in verses 5 and 8.
the third day
Quote: י֥וֹם שְׁלִישִֽׁי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
“and that was the end of the third day.” or “and the third day ended.” or “and that was the end of day three.”
Genesis 1:14
Then God said
Quote: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֗ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“Then God commanded,”
Let there be lights
Quote: יְהִ֤י מְאֹרֹת֙ (1)“Let lights/lamps appear/exist” or “I command there to be sources of light” or “Let there be things/objects that give/shine light”. These lights refer to the sun, moon and stars that give off light. But it is important to keep this general in your translation (like the Hebrew text does) and not specify the names of these lights.
in the expanse of the heavens
Quote: בִּרְקִ֣יעַ הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם (1)“in the expanse/space of/called the heavens/sky” or “in the open space of the heavens/sky” or “in the heavens/sky”. The expanse is the same thing as the heavens (verse 8), so some translations leave “the expanse of” implied here. Do what is best in your language.
to separate
Quote: לְהַבְדִּ֕יל (1)“to divide/distinguish” or “that separate/divide”
between the day and the night
Quote: בֵּ֥ין הַיּ֖וֹם וּבֵ֣ין הַלָּ֑יְלָה (1)“the daytime from the nighttime.” See how you translated “Daytime” and “Nighttime” in verse 5.
And let them be for signs
Quote: וְהָי֤וּ לְאֹתֹת֙ (1)“Let those lights/lamps also be” or “They must/will also serve/function as” or “I also command those lights/lamps to serve/function as”
And let them be for signs
Quote: וְהָי֤וּ לְאֹתֹת֙ (1)The Hebrew text is ambiguous here. It could mean: (1) “signs/markers of special/important events, and they must/will mark” or “They must/will also mark/indicate when important things happen, and they must/will mark/show” or (2) “signs/markers that mark/indicate/show”. The word “signs” means that the lights are to mark certain times of the year. Following the first interpretation, the lights are to also mark special events (such as the star that signaled Jesus’ birth and the darkened sun at Jesus’ death).
and for seasons, and for days and years
Quote: וּלְמ֣וֹעֲדִ֔ים וּלְיָמִ֖ים וְשָׁנִֽים (1)“seasons, days and years.” or “when seasons, days and years begin and end.” The sun and moon show the passing of time. For example, the 30-day month is determined by the phases of the moon, and the 365-day year is determined by the time it takes for the earth to travel around the sun. Seasons are regular times of the year, such as seed-planting and harvesting times, and the seasons of spring, summer, fall and winter (Genesis 8:22), as well as the special festivals which God appointed for his people to meet with him. You could put some of that information in a footnote.
Genesis 1:15
And let them be as lights
Quote: וְהָי֤וּ לִמְאוֹרֹת֙ (1)“And they must/will be sources of light” or “They must/will serve/function as lights” or “Their purpose is to serve/function as sources of light”
in the expanse of the heavens
Quote: בִּרְקִ֣יעַ הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם (1)“in the expanse/space called the heavens/sky” or “in the open space of the heavens/sky” or “in the heavens/sky”. See how you translated this phrase in verse 14.
to shine on the earth
Quote: לְהָאִ֖יר עַל הָאָ֑רֶץ (1)“to/that shine light on the earth.” or “so that they provide/give light to/for the earth.” See how you translated “the earth” in verses 1-2.
And it was so
Quote: וַֽיְהִי כֵֽן (1)“And that is exactly what happened.” or “And it was/happened exactly as he commanded it to be/happen.”
Genesis 1:16
So God made
Quote: וַיַּ֣עַשׂ אֱלֹהִ֔ים (1)“In that way God/he made/created” or “That is how God/he made/created”. Verses 16-18 explain what God’s commands in verses 14-15 caused to happen. Make sure your translation of these verses does not sound like he created the lights twice. See how you translated “So God made” in verse 7.
the two great lights
Quote: אֶת שְׁנֵ֥י הַמְּאֹרֹ֖ת הַגְּדֹלִ֑ים (1)“the two bright/big lights,” This phrase refers to the sun and the moon, which are the two brightest objects in the earth’s sky. However, the author intentionally does not use their names, so you should not include their names in your translation either.
the greater light
Quote: אֶת הַמָּא֤וֹר הַגָּדֹל֙ (1)“the stronger/brighter light”. The focus is on the relative brightness or strength of the lights, not on their size.
to rule the day
Quote: לְמֶמְשֶׁ֣לֶת הַיּ֔וֹם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
“to dominate/govern the day,” or “to shine during the day,” The word “rule” is a figure of speech that means each light has the greatest effect during a particular time period because it is the brightest light that is shining then. For some languages, nonliving objects like the sun and the moon cannot “rule” because only people can do that. Do what is accurate and natural in your language.
and the lesser light
Quote: וְאֶת הַמָּא֤וֹר הַקָּטֹן֙ (1)“and the weaker/dimmer light”
to rule the night
Quote: לְמֶמְשֶׁ֣לֶת הַלַּ֔יְלָה (1)“to dominate/govern the night,” or “to shine during the night,” Be consistent here with how you translated “rule” previously in this verse.
and the stars
Quote: וְאֵ֖ת הַכּוֹכָבִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
“and he also made/created the stars.” or “That is also when he made/created the stars.” The verb “made” that is used earlier in the verse is implied here. Translate this in a way that is clear and natural in your language.
Genesis 1:17
And God set them
Quote: וַיִּתֵּ֥ן אֹתָ֛ם אֱלֹהִ֖ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“God/He placed/put them” or “God/He placed/put the lights”. Consider what is the best way in your language to refer to God and the lights at this point in the paragraph.
in the expanse of the heavens
Quote: בִּרְקִ֣יעַ הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם (1)“in the expanse/space called the heavens/sky” or “in the open space of the heavens/sky” or “in the heavens/sky”. See how you translated this phrase in verses 14 and 15.
to shine on the earth
Quote: לְהָאִ֖יר עַל הָאָֽרֶץ (1)“to shine light on the earth,” or “to provide/give light to/for the earth,” See how you translated this phrase in verse 15.
Genesis 1:18
and to rule over the day and over the night
Quote: וְלִמְשֹׁל֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם וּבַלַּ֔יְלָה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
“and to govern/dominate the daytime and/or the nighttime,” or “and to shine during the daytime and/or during the nighttime,” Make sure that your translation of the word “day” refers here to the daytime hours, not an entire 24-hour day. Also see how you translated “rule” in 1:16.
and to separate between the light and the darkness
Quote: וּֽלֲהַבְדִּ֔יל בֵּ֥ין הָא֖וֹר וּבֵ֣ין הַחֹ֑שֶׁךְ (1)“and to divide/distinguish the light from the darkness.” or “and to separate/distinguish the time of light from the time of darkness.” Consider again how you translated “separate” in verses 4, 6-7, 14 and 18.
And God saw
Quote: וַיַּ֥רְא אֱלֹהִ֖ים (1)“And he saw/observed” or “God/He saw/observed”
that {it was} good
Quote: כִּי טֽוֹב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“that what he had made/created was good/excellent.” or “that the lights in the heavens/sky were good/excellent.” Some languages need to specify what was good. Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 1:19
Then there was evening, and there was morning
Quote: וַֽיְהִי עֶ֥רֶב וַֽיְהִי בֹ֖קֶר (1)“Then evening came, and then/later morning came,”
the fourth day
Quote: י֥וֹם רְבִיעִֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
“and that was the end of the fourth day.” or “and the fourth day ended.” or “and that was the end of day four.”
Genesis 1:20
Then God said
Quote: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“Then God commanded,”
Let the waters swarm {with} swarm{s} of living creature{s
Quote: יִשְׁרְצ֣וּ הַמַּ֔יִם שֶׁ֖רֶץ נֶ֣פֶשׁ חַיָּ֑ה (1)“I command the water to be full of large numbers/groups of living creatures,” or “I command there to be large numbers/groups of water animals that live everywhere in the water,”
and let bird{s} fly
Quote: וְעוֹף֙ יְעוֹפֵ֣ף (1)“and let there be birds that fly” or “I also command there to be birds that fly” or “Also let there be winged creatures that fly”. The Hebrew word for “birds” can also be more general and refer to “winged/flying creatures,” which includes birds, bats, flying insects and even flying reptiles that are now extinct. Consider whether it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
above the earth across the face of the expanse of the sky
Quote: עַל הָאָ֔רֶץ עַל פְּנֵ֖י רְקִ֥יעַ הַשָּׁמָֽיִם (1)“above the earth, through the sky/air.” or “across/in/through the sky above the earth.”
Genesis 1:21
So God created
Quote: וַיִּבְרָ֣א אֱלֹהִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“That is how God/he created/made” or “In that way God/he created/made”. See how you translated “created” in verse 1.
the great sea creatures
Quote: אֶת הַתַּנִּינִ֖ם הַגְּדֹלִ֑ים (1)“the huge/gigantic sea/ocean animals”. These include whales, sharks, giant squid, crocodiles, and leviathans (Psalm 74:13-14, Isaiah 27:1), which were probably swimming reptiles that are now extinct.
and every living creature that moves
Quote: וְאֵ֣ת כָּל נֶ֣פֶשׁ הַֽחַיָּ֣ה הָֽרֹמֶ֡שֶׂת (1)“and every kind/type of fish and every other creature/animal that moves/lives” or “and all the fish and other kinds/types of creatures/animals that move/live”
which the waters swarm with
Quote: אֲשֶׁר֩ שָׁרְצ֨וּ הַמַּ֜יִם (1)“throughout the water/ocean in large numbers/groups,” or “in the water and fills it,” or “all over the place in the water/ocean,”
according to their kind
Quote: לְמִֽינֵהֶ֗ם (1)“each according to its own kind/type,” or “each that produces/has its own kind/type of offspring/young,” This phrase emphasizes that each different kind of creature has its own distinct kind of offspring/young. For example, whales always give birth to whales, and never give birth to cats or cows or any other kind of creature.
and
Quote: וְאֵ֨ת (1)“and how he created/made” or “That is also how he created/made”. For some languages it is more natural to begin a new sentence here, so that the previous sentence is not too long. Do what is best in your language.
every winged bird
Quote: כָּל ע֤וֹף כָּנָף֙ (1)“every kind/type of bird” or “all the different kinds/types of birds” or “every kind/type of winged creature”. See how you translated “birds” in verse 20.
according to its kind
Quote: לְמִינֵ֔הוּ (1)“each according to its own kind/type.” or “each that produces/has its own kind/type of young.” See how you translated this phrase earlier in this verse.
And God saw
Quote: וַיַּ֥רְא אֱלֹהִ֖ים (1)“And He saw/observed” or “God/He saw/observed”
that {it was} good
Quote: כִּי טֽוֹב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“that what he had created/made was good/excellent.” or “that the water animals and the birds were good/excellent.” Some languages need to specify what was good. Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 1:22
Then God blessed them
Quote: וַיְבָ֧רֶךְ אֹתָ֛ם אֱלֹהִ֖ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“Then God caused them all to prosper/flourish” or “Then God blessed the water creatures/animals and the birds”. For some languages it is necessary to specify what “them” refers to. Do what is best in your language.
saying
Quote: לֵאמֹ֑ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“by saying to them,” or “and said first to the water animals,” God blesses the water animals first. If that is not clear, you could make that explicit here in the quote margin or at the beginning of what God says.
Be fruitful
Quote: פְּר֣וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
“Reproduce” or “You water animals must/will produce/have many babies/young”. God speaks directly to the water animals using the second person (“you”), then later in the verse speaks about the birds in the third person (“the birds”). For some languages it is necessary to use either second person for both or third person for both, to prevent confusion. Do what is natural and clear in your language.
and multiply
Quote: וּרְב֗וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goal
“so that you and your offspring/descendants will multiply/increase greatly in number” or “so that you and your offspring/descendants will become very numerous/many”
and fill
Quote: וּמִלְא֤וּ (1)“and live all over the place in” or “and live throughout”
the waters in the seas
Quote: אֶת הַמַּ֨יִם֙ בַּיַּמִּ֔ים (1)“the water in/of the sea/ocean” or “the ocean/water”. For some languages, “water in the seas” is too repetitive, so it is more natural here to just say “seas/sea” or “ocean” or “water”. Do what is best in your language.
and let the bird{s} multiply
Quote: וְהָע֖וֹף יִ֥רֶב (1)“And the birds must/will also increase greatly in number” or “You birds must/will also become very numerous/many”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here. Also, see how you translated “multiply” earlier in this verse.
on the earth
Quote: בָּאָֽרֶץ (1)“throughout the earth.” or “and live all over the earth.”
Genesis 1:23
Then there was evening, and there was morning
Quote: וַֽיְהִי עֶ֥רֶב וַֽיְהִי בֹ֖קֶר (1)“Then evening came, and then/later morning came,”
the fifth day
Quote: י֥וֹם חֲמִישִֽׁי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
“and that was the end of the fifth day.” or “and the fifth day ended.” or “and that was the end of day five.”
Genesis 1:24
Then God said
Quote: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֗ים (1)“Then God commanded,”
Let the land bring forth
Quote: תּוֹצֵ֨א הָאָ֜רֶץ (1)“I command the land/ground to produce/yield” or “The land/ground must now produce/yield”. See how you translated a similar command to the land in verse 11.
every} living creature
Quote: נֶ֤פֶשׁ חַיָּה֙ (1)“every kind/type of living creature/animal” or “all kinds/types of creatures/animals,” This is a general term that refers to all the different kinds of creatures/animals that breathe, including the three large categories of animals mentioned below in this verse.
according to its kind
Quote: לְמִינָ֔הּ (1)“each that bears/has its own kind/type of offspring/young,” or “each bearing/having its own kind/type of offspring/young,” This phrase means that every kind of animal that God created always produces young that are the same kind of animal as their parents. See how you translated this phrase in verse 21, and see the note about that there.
livestock
Quote: בְּהֵמָ֥ה (1)“including domestic/farm/tame animals,” This term probably includes animals such as horses, camels, cattle, sheep, and goats that people raise for food or use for farming or other work. This is in contrast to animals that normally live in the wild.
and {every} crawling creature
Quote: וָרֶ֛מֶשׂ (1)“every kind/type of creature/animal that crawls” or “all kinds/types of creatures/animals that crawl”
and {every} living thing of the earth
Quote: וְחַֽיְתוֹ אֶ֖רֶץ (1)“and every other kind/type of wild/untamed creature/animal that lives on the earth/land,” or “and all the other kinds/types of wild/untamed animals that live on the earth/land,” This phrase refers in general to animals that are normally not raised by people but live in the wild.
each} according to its kind
Quote: לְמִינָ֑הּ (1)“each that bears/has its own kind/type of offspring/young.” or “each having its own kind/type of offspring/young.” See how you translated this phrase earlier in this verse.
And it was so
Quote: וַֽיְהִי כֵֽן (1)“And that is exactly what happened.” or “It/Everything happened exactly as he commanded it to happen.”
Genesis 1:25
So God made
Quote: וַיַּ֣עַשׂ אֱלֹהִים֩ (1)“That is how God made/created” or “In that way God made/created”
every} creature of the earth
Quote: אֶת חַיַּ֨ת הָאָ֜רֶץ (1)“every kind/type of wild/untamed creature/animal,” or “all the different kinds/types of wild/untamed creatures/animals,” See how you translated “every creature of the earth” in verse 24.
according to its kind
Quote: לְמִינָ֗הּ (1)“each that bears/has its own kind/type of offspring/young,” or “each having its own kind/type of offspring/young,”
and the livestock
Quote: וְאֶת הַבְּהֵמָה֙ (1)“and every kind/type of domestic/farm/tame animal,” or “and all the domestic/farm/tame animals,” See how you translated “livestock” in verse 24.
according to its kind
Quote: לְמִינָ֔הּ (1)“each that bears/has its own kind/type of offspring/young,” or “each having its own kind/type of offspring/young,”
and every crawling creature of the ground
Quote: וְאֵ֛ת כָּל רֶ֥מֶשׂ הָֽאֲדָמָ֖ה (1)“and every kind/type of creature/animal that crawls on/along the ground,” or “and all different kinds/types of creatures/animals that crawl on/along the ground,” See how you translated “crawling creature” in verse 24.
according to its kind
Quote: לְמִינָ֗הּ (1)“each that bears/has its own kind/type of offspring/young.” or “each having its own kind/type of offspring/young,” Consider again how you translated this phrase in verses 11, 12, 21, 24 and 25. It may be necessary to translate this phrase in different ways, depending on the context.
And God saw
Quote: וַיַּ֥רְא אֱלֹהִ֖ים (1)“And he saw/observed” or “God/He saw/observed”
that {it was} good
Quote: כִּי טֽוֹב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“that what he had made/created was good/excellent.” or “that all the creatures/animals that he had made/created were good/excellent.” Some languages need to specify what was good. Consider again how you translated “And God saw that … good” in verses 10, 12, 18, 21, 25.
Genesis 1:26
Then God said
Quote: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“Then God said to himself,” Here God is not commanding anything to happen, but is getting ready to personally create mankind himself (the details are given in Gen 2:7, 21-22). Some languages have to specify who is being spoken to. Do what is best in your language.
Let us make
Quote: נַֽעֲשֶׂ֥ה (1)“Now we should/will make/create”. Most Bible scholars think that the plural pronouns (“us” and “our”) in this verse refer to God and reflect the fact that he is three Persons in one God. So it is best to keep these pronouns plural in your translation. Also, many translations capitalize the first letter of all pronouns that refer to God in order to show him honor and respect. Your translation team needs to decide whether or not you will do that too. Be consistent with your decision as you translate the Bible.
man
Quote: אָדָ֛ם (1)“mankind/humankind” or “human beings”. The Hebrew word for “man” is used here (and in verse 27) as a collective noun that refers to human beings in general, including both male and female.
in our image, according to our likeness
Quote: בְּצַלְמֵ֖נוּ כִּדְמוּתֵ֑נוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
“to be like us and act like us,” or “to be like us, so that they are similar to us in many ways,” These two phrases have similar meanings and emphasize that God made mankind to be like himself in many ways.
and let them rule
Quote: וְיִרְדּוּ֩ (1)“and let us put them in charge/control of” or “We will give them authority to rule/oversee/manage”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
over the fish of the sea
Quote: בִדְגַ֨ת הַיָּ֜ם (1)“the fish of/in the sea/ocean,”
and over the bird{s} of the sky
Quote: וּבְע֣וֹף הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם (1)“the birds that fly in the sky/air,” Some translations leave out the phrase “of the sky” because it is strongly implied and may not sound natural in their languages. However, if it is natural in your language, it is best to include this phrase, because the author repeatedly contrasts three large categories of animals in this section: creatures that live on the ground, creatures that swim in the water, and creatures that fly in the sky.
and over the livestock
Quote: וּבַבְּהֵמָה֙ (1)“the domestic/farm/tame animals,” Consider again how you translated “livestock” in verses 24-26.
and over all the earth
Quote: וּבְכָל הָאָ֔רֶץ (1)“and the entire earth,” This refers to the planet earth and everything on it, including water, soil, metals, minerals, and other resources, as well as all the plants and animals.
and over every moving creature moving on the earth
Quote: וּבְכָל הָרֶ֖מֶשׂ הָֽרֹמֵ֥שׂ עַל הָאָֽרֶץ (1)“including every creature/animal that moves/lives on the earth.” or “and/including all the creatures/animals that move/live on the earth.” For some languages it is not natural to repeat “and” or “over” with each item in this list. Consider what is the best way to translate a list like this in your language.
Genesis 1:27
Then God created
Quote: וַיִּבְרָ֨א אֱלֹהִ֤ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases
“So God created/made”. In this verse God does what he said he was going to do (verse 26). Make sure your translation does not sound like God created mankind twice. Also see how you translated “created” in verses 1 and 21.
man
Quote: אֶת הָֽאָדָם֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-key-terms
“mankind/humankind” or “human beings”. Be consistent here with how you translated this term in verse 26.
in his image
Quote: בְּצַלְמ֔וֹ (1)“in his own image.” or “to be like himself.” or “to be similar to himself in many ways.” God made mankind to be like himself in some ways (not all ways) and to represent him in the world and show people what he is like. For example, God gave human beings an eternal spirit and the ability to have a relationship with him. He also gave us emotions, an understanding of right and wrong, and the ability to reason and make choices, to create new things and to have authority over the rest of creation. You could include some of that information in a footnote.
In the image of God he created him
Quote: בְּצֶ֥לֶם אֱלֹהִ֖ים בָּרָ֣א אֹת֑וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
“Yes/Indeed, he created/made them in his image” or “Indeed God/he created/made them to be like himself” or “Yes, God/he created/made them to be similar to himself in many ways”. The pronoun “him” refers to the collective noun “man”, which in this case refers to human beings in general, not just one person. Also, this clause is the second half of a chiasm (an inverted parallelism) that repeats the first part of verse 27 in reverse order, to emphasize that it was in God’s image that human beings were created. Do what is best in your language.
male and female he created them
Quote: זָכָ֥ר וּנְקֵבָ֖ה בָּרָ֥א אֹתָֽם (1)“He also created/made them to be male or female.” The phrase “male and female” comes first in the Hebrew text in order to emphasize it. Do what is accurate and natural in your language. Also make sure your translation of this verse does not sound like God is both male and female.
Genesis 1:28
Then God blessed them
Quote: וַיְבָ֣רֶךְ אֹתָם֮ אֱלֹהִים֒ (1)“Then God showed his favor to them” or “Then God caused them to prosper/flourish”. See how you translated “blessed” in verse 22.
and God said to them
Quote: וַיֹּ֨אמֶר לָהֶ֜ם אֱלֹהִ֗ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“and said,” or “by saying to them,” or “by saying,” or “He said,” Make sure it is clear in your translation of this quote margin that what God says next is the way that he blessed mankind, not something he said separately from that.
Be fruitful
Quote: פְּר֥וּ (1)“Bear/Have many children” or “You will bear/have many children”. See how you translated “Be fruitful and multiply” in verse 22. It may be necessary to translate the phrase in different ways, depending on the context.
and multiply
Quote: וּרְב֛וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goal
“so that you and your descendants will multiply/increase greatly in number” or “so that you and your descendants will become very numerous/many”
and fill the earth
Quote: וּמִלְא֥וּ אֶת הָאָ֖רֶץ (1)“and live all over the earth” or “and inhabit the whole earth” or “Fill the earth”. For some languages, it is more natural to begin a new sentence here. Do what is best in your language.
and subdue it
Quote: וְכִבְשֻׁ֑הָ (1)“and take control/care of it.” or “and bring it under your control.”
And rule
Quote: וּרְד֞וּ (1)“You must rule over” or “You are in charge of” or “I am giving you authority to rule/oversee/manage”. See how you translated “rule” in verse 26.
over the fish of the sea and over the bird{s} of the sky
Quote: בִּדְגַ֤ת הַיָּם֙ וּבְע֣וֹף הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם (1)“the fish in the ocean, the birds that fly in the sky/air,” See how you translated these phrases in verse 26.
and over every living thing that moves on the earth
Quote: וּבְכָל חַיָּ֖ה הָֽרֹמֶ֥שֶׂת עַל הָאָֽרֶץ (1)“and every creature/animal that moves/lives on the earth/land.” or “and all the creatures/animals that move/live on the earth/land.” This phrase refers generally here to every kind of creature that lives on land.
Genesis 1:29
Then God said
Quote: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֗ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“Then God/he also said to them,” or “Then God/he continued/added,” God is still speaking to the human beings, so it may be necessary to add “also” to this quote margin. Some languages need to specify who is being spoken to. Other languages may leave this quote margin implied, since the same subject (God) is talking to the same people. However, the repeated quote margin in the Hebrew text could show that God paused before continuing or that he is changing the topic, or to emphasize what he says next. So if it is natural to keep the quote margin here in your language, that is best.
Behold
Quote: הִנֵּה֩ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-key-terms
“Look,” or “Listen to this,” or “I want you to know that”. This word means that what God says next is important and should be given special attention. Consider what is the best way to translate this term in your language.
I have given to you
Quote: נָתַ֨תִּי לָכֶ֜ם (1)“I am now giving to you as/for food” or “I have provided as food for you” or “I am now providing as food for you”
every plant {that} yields seed that {is
Quote: אֶת כָּל עֵ֣שֶׂב זֹרֵ֣עַ זֶ֗רַע אֲשֶׁר֙ (1)“every kind/type of seed-bearing plant that grows” or “every kind/type of plant with seeds that grows” or “all the different kinds/types of plants that yield/produce seeds and grow”. See how you translated a similar phrase in verses 11 and 12.
on the surface of the whole earth
Quote: עַל פְּנֵ֣י כָל הָאָ֔רֶץ (1)“anywhere on/throughout the earth,”
and every tree that {has
Quote: וְאֶת־כָּל־הָעֵ֛ץ אֲשֶׁר (1)“as well as every kind/type of tree that bears/produces” or “and all the different kinds/types of trees that bear/produce”
tree fruit {that} yields seed inside it
Quote: בּ֥וֹ פְרִי עֵ֖ץ זֹרֵ֣עַ זָ֑רַע (1)“fruit with seeds inside it.” or “seed-bearing fruit.” See how you translated a similar phrase in verses 11 and 12.
They will be yours for food
Quote: לָכֶ֥ם יִֽהְיֶ֖ה לְאָכְלָֽה (1)“All of them are yours to eat from.” or “You may eat from any/all of those plants.”
Genesis 1:30
And to every living thing of the earth
Quote: וּֽלְכָל חַיַּ֣ת הָ֠אָרֶץ (1)“In the same way, to every kind/type of wild/untamed creature/animal that lives on the earth/land,” or “Similarly/Likewise, to all the wild/untamed creatures/animals that live on the earth/land,” or “In the same way, to all the wild animals,” See how you translated similar phrases in verses 24 and 25.
and to every bird of the sky
Quote: וּלְכָל ע֨וֹף הַשָּׁמַ֜יִם (1)“and every kind/type of bird that flies in the sky,” or “and all the birds that fly in the sky,”
and to every{thing} moving on the earth that {has} living breath in it
Quote: וּלְכֹ֣ל רוֹמֵ֣שׂ עַל הָאָ֗רֶץ אֲשֶׁר בּוֹ֙ נֶ֣פֶשׁ חַיָּ֔ה (1)“and every other kind/type of creature/animal that moves/lives on the earth/land and has the breath of life,” or “and all the other creatures/animals that move/live on the earth/land and breathe air to live,” See how you translated “that moves on the earth” in verse 28.
I have given} every green plant for food
Quote: אֶת כָּל יֶ֥רֶק עֵ֖שֶׂב לְאָכְלָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“I give every kind/type of green plant for/as food.” or “I have given/provided all the green plants for/as food.” For some languages it is clearer or more natural to put this phrase near the beginning of this verse and say, “In the same way, I give every type of green plant for food to all the wild animals that live on the earth, and all the birds that fly in the sky, and all the other animals that live on the land and breathe air.” Do what is best in your language. Also see how you translated “plant” in verses 11, 12, 29.
And it was so
Quote: וַֽיְהִי כֵֽן (1)“And that is how it was.” or “And it/everything was exactly as he/God said it should/would be.” Consider again how you translated this sentence in verses 7, 9, 11, 15, 24 and 30. It may be necessary to translate it in different ways, depending on the context. For example, here in verse 30 this phrase follows a statement God made, which is different from the other contexts where it follows a command.
Genesis 1:31
Then God saw
Quote: וַיַּ֤רְא אֱלֹהִים֙ (1)“Then God observed/considered” or “Then God looked at”. See how you translated “God saw …” in verse 4.
all that he had made
Quote: אֶת כָּל אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֔ה (1)“everything that he had made/created,” This phrase refers to everything that God made during the entire week of Creation, not just on the sixth day. Consider again how you translated “made” (or “make”) in verses 7, 16, 25, 26 and 31. Compare that to how you translated a word that has a similar meaning (“created”) in verses 1, 21 and 27.
and behold
Quote: וְהִנֵּה (1)“and indeed” or “and he saw/observed that”. This word calls attention to what God is looking at and helps emphasize that what he saw was very good.
it was} very good
Quote: ט֖וֹב מְאֹ֑ד (1)“it was all very good/excellent.” Consider again how you translated “good/excellent” in verses 4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, and 31.
Then there was evening, and there was morning
Quote: וַֽיְהִי עֶ֥רֶב וַֽיְהִי בֹ֖קֶר (1)“Then evening came, and then/later morning came,” Consider again how you translated these phrases in verses 5, 8, 13, 19, 23, and 31, and see the note about that at verse 5.
the sixth day
Quote: י֥וֹם הַשִּׁשִּֽׁי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
“and that was the end of the sixth day.” or “and the sixth day ended.” or “and that was the end of day six.”
Genesis 2
Genesis 2:1
So the heavens and the earth were completed
Quote: וַיְכֻלּ֛וּ הַשָּׁמַ֥יִם וְהָאָ֖רֶץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
“So it was that the heavens and the earth were completed/finished by God,” or “That is how God finished creating/making the heavens and the earth,” Verse 1 is a summary statement that looks back at what God did in chapter 1. Make sure that is clear in your language. Also consider whether it is better in your language to use an active or passive clause here, and see how you translated “heavens and earth” in Gen 1:1.
and all their hosts
Quote: וְכָל צְבָאָֽם (1)“including all the many things that are in them.” or “along with everything in them.” This phrase refers to everything in the heavens and on the earth that God had created, as described in chapter 1.
Genesis 2:2
by the seventh day … on the seventh day
Quote: בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
“By the seventh day” or “By day seven”. Make sure it is clear in your translation that God had completed his work by the seventh day and did not work on that day. Also consider again how you translated ordinal numbers in Gen 1:5, 8, 13, 19, 23, 31; 2:2.
And … God had completed
Quote: וַיְכַ֤ל אֱלֹהִים֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“God/he had completed/finished” or “God/he was finished with”. Decide whether it is better in your language to refer to God with a title (“God”) or a pronoun (“he”) in this context.
his work that he had done
Quote: מְלַאכְתּ֖וֹ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֑ה (1)“his/the work he had been doing,”
so he rested on the seventh day from all
Quote: וַיִּשְׁבֹּת֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י מִכָּל (1)“so he rested/ceased on that day from all” or “so on the seventh day he no longer did”. God “rested” in the sense that he stopped his work and did not work on that day. It does not mean he was tired or had lost his strength. Rest is an important theme in the Bible, so you should try to be consistent in how you translate this term here and in other passages such as Exodus 23:12, 31:17 and Hebrews 4:4, 10. Part of this theme includes the Hebrew word for “Sabbath” which has the same root word as the verb for “rest” and is often translated “resting day.”
his work that he had done
Quote: מְלַאכְתּ֖וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָֽׂה (1)“the work that he had been doing.” or “that work.”
Genesis 2:3
And God blessed the seventh day
Quote: וַיְבָ֤רֶךְ אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶת י֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases
“Then God/he established/designated the seventh day as a day to bless people” or “God/He honored the seventh day”. For some languages it is more natural to begin verse 3 without a conjunction. Other languages use a conjunction here like Hebrew does. Do what is natural in your language.
and sanctified it
Quote: וַיְקַדֵּ֖שׁ אֹת֑וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-key-terms
“and made it a holy/sacred day,” or “and set it apart as a day especially devoted/dedicated to him,” or “by setting it apart as a special day/time for people/them to rest and worship him,”
because on it
Quote: כִּ֣י ב֤וֹ (1)“because on/during that day” or “He did that because on/during that day”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
he rested from all his work
Quote: שָׁבַת֙ מִכָּל מְלַאכְתּ֔וֹ (1)“he ceased from all his/the work” or “he did not do any more work” or “he no longer did the work”. See how you translated a similar clause in verse 2.
of creating that God had done
Quote: אֲשֶׁר בָּרָ֥א אֱלֹהִ֖ים לַעֲשֽׂוֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“of creating that he had been doing.” or “that he had been doing, creating everything.”
Genesis 2:4
These {are
Quote: אֵ֣לֶּה (1)“These are more details about” or “This is more about” or “What follows gives/tells more details about”. This phrase refers forward to Gen 2:5-24 and begins a new section. Chapter one of Genesis gives an overview of what God did each day of creation week, including that he created human beings on day six. Chapter two gives more details about how God created Adam and Eve, who were his most important creations. Each chapter emphasizes different parts of the same history; they are not two different histories. Make sure that is clear in your translation.
the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created
Quote: תוֹלְד֧וֹת הַשָּׁמַ֛יִם וְהָאָ֖רֶץ בְּהִבָּֽרְאָ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
“the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created by God,” or “what happened when God created the heavens and the earth.” or “the history of what God did when he created the heavens and the earth:” The Hebrew text uses a passive construction here to emphasize the heavens and the earth. Decide the best way to do that in your language.
in the day {when
Quote: בְּי֗וֹם (1)“during the days/time when” or “During the days/time when”. Consider whether or not it is clearer or more natural in your language to begin a new sentence here that continues into verse 5.
Yahweh God
Quote: יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-key-terms
“Yahweh who is God” or “God whose name is Yahweh”. This phrase is a combination of God’s personal name “Yahweh” with his title “God.” Both are used together when he is especially in focus. This pattern of using a personal name and a title together is also used for people in the Old Testament when they are being emphasized, for example, “Ahab king of Israel” and “Ruth the Moabitess.” Many translations have “LORD God” in place of “Yahweh God” throughout the Old Testament. This follows the Jewish custom of substituting the Hebrew title “Adonai” (which means “my Lord”) for “Yahweh” (which means “he is”) when they read the Scriptures aloud. More recently, translation teams are putting “Yahweh” back in the Bible text (especially in the Old Testament, but also in the New Testament), and they include a footnote to explain the term. (Some translation teams consider using “Jehovah” instead of “Yahweh.” However that is not a name from the Bible, but is formed by taking the consonants from “Yahweh” and combining them with the vowels from “Adonai.”)
made the earth and the heavens
Quote: עֲשׂ֛וֹת & אֶ֥רֶץ וְשָׁמָֽיִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-chiasm
“made/created the earth and the heavens”. This clause forms a chiasm with “the heavens and the earth … created” in the first part of this verse. Try to keep the same phrase order in your translation. See how you translated “the heavens” and “the earth” in Gen 1:1 and 2:1.
Genesis 2:5
and every shrub of the field had not yet appeared on the earth
Quote: וְכֹ֣ל ׀ שִׂ֣יחַ הַשָּׂדֶ֗ה טֶ֚רֶם יִֽהְיֶ֣ה בָאָ֔רֶץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-background
“And/Now for a while, there were not yet any shrubs/bushes in the fields on the earth,” or “For a while, no wild shrubs/bushes had started growing on the earth yet,” Consider whether or not it is better in your translation to begin a new sentence here. Verses 5-6 give background information about what things were like before God created mankind (verse 7). Some languages use a conjunction like “Now” to introduce background information, while other languages do not use a conjunction here. Do what is best in your language.
and every plant of the field had not yet sprung up
Quote: וְכָל עֵ֥שֶׂב הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה טֶ֣רֶם יִצְמָ֑ח (1)“nor had any other plants started growing yet,” or “and there were not any other plants that had sprouted yet,” See how you translated “plants” in Gen 1:11-12, 29-30.
because Yahweh God
Quote: כִּי֩ & יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהִים֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“because Yahweh/he” or “That was because God”. The Hebrew text repeats “Yahweh God” frequently in chapter 2 (starting in verse 4) to emphasize God. For some languages, it is not natural to repeat “Yahweh God” so often in the same paragraph, and it could even give the wrong meaning that there was more than one Yahweh God. For languages like that, it may be best to use “Yahweh God” only once at the beginning of a section or paragraph, then use “Yahweh”, “God”, or “he” in the rest of the section, depending on the context. Consider what is the most accurate and natural way to refer to Yahweh God at each point in your translation.
had not caused it to rain on the earth
Quote: לֹ֨א הִמְטִ֜יר & עַל הָאָ֔רֶץ (1)“had not yet caused it to rain on the earth,” or “had not yet sent/caused rain to water the earth,” See how you translated “earth” in Gen 1:1 and 2:1.
and there was no man
Quote: וְאָדָ֣ם אַ֔יִן (1)“and there were no human beings yet” or “and mankind/humans did not exist yet”
to work the ground
Quote: לַֽעֲבֹ֖ד אֶת הָֽאֲדָמָֽה (1)“to cultivate/farm the land/soil.” Working the ground includes tasks such as clearing the ground, preparing the soil, planting seeds, and watering the plants. See how you translated “ground” in Gen 1:25. It may be necessary to translate this term in different ways, depending on the context.
Genesis 2:6
But mist
Quote: וְאֵ֖ד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases
“But during/at that time mist/water/groundwater” or “During/At that time mist/springs”. The Hebrew word for “mist” refers to water in some form, such as water vapor, springs, or streams of water. Also, some translations begin verse 6 without “But”. Do what is best in your language.
came up
Quote: יַֽעֲלֶ֣ה (1)“seeped up” or “kept coming/seeping up” or “would come/seep up”. This verb describes a repeated or continuous action.
from the earth
Quote: מִן הָאָ֑רֶץ (1)“from the ground” or “from underground”
and watered
Quote: וְהִשְׁקָ֖ה (1)“and irrigated” or “and spread over” or “supplied water to”
all of the surface of the ground
Quote: אֶֽת כָּל פְּנֵֽי הָֽאֲדָמָֽה (1)“the entire/whole surface of the land/earth.” or “the ground everywhere.”
Genesis 2:7
Then Yahweh God formed
Quote: וַיִּיצֶר֩ יְהוָ֨ה אֱלֹהִ֜ים (1)“Then Yahweh who is God shaped/crafted”. The word “formed” describes what an expert craftsmen would do, and implies artistic skills and design. See how you translated “Yahweh God” in Gen 2:4-5.
the man
Quote: אֶת הָֽאָדָ֗ם (1)“a man” or “the first man”. The definite article “the” is used here because this refers to a specific man, the first male human. For many languages it is more natural to use an indefinite article (“a”) to introduce him here, or to not use an article at all. Do what is best in your language.
out of} dust
Quote: עָפָר֙ (1)“out of dirt/mud/clay”. The word used here in the Hebrew text is usually translated “dust” (as in Gen 13:16, 28:14), but it can also be translated “dirt” (as in Gen 26:15) or “mortar/mud/clay” (as in Leviticus 14:42). The dirt would have been damp enough to be formed or shaped.
from the ground
Quote: מִן הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה (1)“from the earth,” For some languages it may be better to change the order of the phrases in the first half of this verse and say, “Then Yahweh who is God took some dirt/clay from the ground/earth and formed/shaped a man out of it,” Do what is best in your language. Also, see how you translated “ground” in Gen 1:25 and 2:5-6. You may need to translate this term in different ways, depending on the context.
and he breathed
Quote: וַיִּפַּ֥ח (1)“and he/Yahweh blew/exhaled” or “Then he/Yahweh blew/exhaled”. For some languages, it is more natural to begin a new sentence here. Do what is best in your language.
into his nostrils the breath of life
Quote: בְּאַפָּ֖יו נִשְׁמַ֣ת חַיִּ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“into the man’s nostrils/nose the/his breath that would make him live,” or “his breath into the man’s nostrils/nose to make him live,” This refers to God’s breath. As you translate the pronouns “he” and “his” in this verse, make sure it is clear in your language who is being referred to.
and the man became a living being
Quote: וַֽיְהִ֥י הָֽאָדָ֖ם לְנֶ֥פֶשׁ חַיָּֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“so that he became a living person.” or “and then the man became alive” or “and he came to life.” or “so that he started to live.” Consider what is the most natural way in your language to refer to the man throughout verse 7.
Genesis 2:8
Now Yahweh God had planted
Quote: וַיִּטַּ֞ע יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהִ֛ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background
The Hebrew text is ambiguous here. It could mean: (1) “Now Yahweh God had previously/already planted” or “Before that, Yahweh God had planted”. This interpretation fits the context of chapter one, which says that God had made all the trees and plants on day three (Gen 1:11-12), three days before he created man (Gen 1:26-27; 2:7). Following this view, verses 8-14 give background information for what happens in verses 15-24. (2) “Then Yahweh God planted”. According to this interpretation, God made the Garden of Eden on day six after he created man.
a garden
Quote: גַּן (1)“a large garden” or “a large farm/park”. The man lived in this garden, and there were animals and many trees and other plants in it too, so it was fairly large. Make sure your translation of this term does not refer to something that is too small.
in Eden, in the east
Quote: בְעֵ֖דֶן מִקֶּ֑דֶם (1)“in the land/region of/called Eden, which was in/to the east,” or “in the eastern part of the land/region of/called Eden,” In this context, the phrase “in the east” could refer to: (1) the eastern part of the region of Eden; or (2) a region east of where Moses lived when he wrote this. It is best, if possible, to keep your translation of this phrase general here (like the Hebrew text).
and there he put the man
Quote: וַיָּ֣שֶׂם שָׁ֔ם אֶת הָֽאָדָ֖ם (1)“and that is where he put the man” or “and in that garden he put the man” or “That is where he put the man”. Consider whether it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
whom he had formed
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָצָֽר (1)“whom he had shaped/crafted.” or “whom he had created/made.” See how you translated “formed” in verse 7.
Genesis 2:9
And Yahweh God had made to grow from the ground every tree {that} is pleasant
Quote: וַיַּצְמַ֞ח יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהִים֙ מִן־הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה כָּל־עֵ֛ץ נֶחְמָ֥ד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“There Yahweh/he had made/caused to grow from the ground every kind/type of tree that is pleasant/beautiful/delightful” or “Yahweh/He had made/caused all kinds/types of trees to grow from the ground that are pleasant/beautiful”. See how you translated “Yahweh God” in verse 5, and how you translated “every tree” in Gen 1:29.
to the sight
Quote: לְמַרְאֶ֖ה (1)“to the eyes” or “to look at” or “in appearance”
and good
Quote: וְט֣וֹב (1)“and that produce/have/grow fruit that is good” or “and whose fruit is good”
for food
Quote: לְמַאֲכָ֑ל (1)“for eating,” or “to eat,”
and the tree of life in the middle of the garden
Quote: וְעֵ֤ץ הַֽחַיִּים֙ בְּת֣וֹךְ הַגָּ֔ן (1)“including the tree whose fruit gives people eternal life, which was in the middle of the garden,” or “In the middle of the garden was the tree whose fruit makes people live forever,” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil
Quote: וְעֵ֕ץ הַדַּ֖עַת ט֥וֹב וָרָֽע (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-key-terms
“as well as the tree whose fruit enables people to know/discern what is good/right and what is evil/wrong.” The word “good” refers here to all that is morally right and pleasing to God, and “evil” refers to what is morally wrong and against his will. Keep that in mind as you translate these terms.
Genesis 2:10
And a river was going out
Quote: וְנָהָרּ֙ יֹצֵ֣א (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases
“Now a river was flowing” or “A river was flowing” or “There was a river flowing”. Verse 10 gives more background information that began in verse 8. Many translations omit the conjunction “And” or “Now” here. Do what is best in your language.
from Eden
Quote: מֵעֵ֔דֶן (1)“from/through the land/region of Eden”. The garden was inside the land of Eden, so as the river flowed through Eden, it watered the garden.
to water
Quote: לְהַשְׁק֖וֹת (1)“to irrigate” or “to provide water for” or “that watered/irrigated” or “that provided water for”. See how you translated “watered” in verse 6.
the garden
Quote: אֶת הַגָּ֑ן (1)“the farm/park,” See how you translated this phrase in verse 8.
and from there
Quote: וּמִשָּׁם֙ (1)“and from the garden” or “From there/Eden”. For some languages it is better to begin a new sentence here. Do what is best in your language.
it divided and became four head{water}s
Quote: יִפָּרֵ֔ד וְהָיָ֖ה לְאַרְבָּעָ֥ה רָאשִֽׁים (1)Verse 10 is ambiguous in the Hebrew text. It could mean: (1) “the/that river divided into four smaller waters/rivers.” This interpretation means that the river in Eden was the source river that watered the garden and then divided downstream into the four smaller rivers. (2) “there were four smaller source rivers that joined together and formed the larger river.” This interpretation means that the four rivers were source headwaters that flowed downstream and joined to form the larger river in Eden. If possible, leave your translation ambiguous here (like the Hebrew text does), so that either interpretation is possible.
Genesis 2:11
The name of the first {is
Quote: שֵׁ֥ם הָֽאֶחָ֖ד (1)“The name of the first river is/was” or “The first river is/was named/called” or “The first river is/was”. Most translations use past tense in verse 10, but then use present tense throughout verses 11-14. It may be best to use past tense throughout verses 10-14, especially since the rivers and places that are named in these verses no longer existed when Genesis was written, because the Flood completely changed the entire surface of the earth; after the Flood, the names of some of those rivers and places were given to new rivers and places.
Pishon
Quote: פִּישׁ֑וֹן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“the Pishon River.” Consider whether or not it is natural in your language to use the article (“the”) with the name of a river.
It winds through
Quote: ה֣וּא הַסֹּבֵ֗ב (1)“It meanders/meandered through” or “which flows/flowed around through”. The word “winds” or “meanders” means that the river changed direction from time to time. Consider whether it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here or to continue the previous sentence.
all of the land of Havilah
Quote: אֵ֚ת כָּל אֶ֣רֶץ הַֽחֲוִילָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“the entire/whole region of/called Havilah,” Be consistent in how you translate “land of” throughout this section.
where gold {is
Quote: אֲשֶׁר שָׁ֖ם הַזָּהָֽב (1)“a place where there is/was much gold.” or “which has/had a lot of gold.”
Genesis 2:12
And the gold of that land
Quote: וּֽזֲהַ֛ב הָאָ֥רֶץ הַהִ֖וא (1)“In fact, the gold from that land/region” or “Indeed, the gold that is found in that land/region”. This sentence emphasizes the previous statement about the gold and gives more information about it.
is} good
Quote: ט֑וֹב (1)“is/was very pure.” or “is/was very high quality.”
Bdellium
Quote: הַבְּדֹ֖לַח (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
“A kind/type of fragrant/sweet-smelling resin called bdellium” or “A kind/type of fragrant/sweet-smelling resin/perfume”. The meaning of this Hebrew word is not certain. In many translations it is transliterated, that is, spelled the way the Hebrew word is pronounced. It may refer to: (1) a fragrant/sweet-smelling tree resin that was used to make perfume; or (2) a type of stone or crystal, or possibly pearl.
and onyx stone
Quote: וְאֶ֥בֶן הַשֹּֽׁהַם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
“and valuable onyx gemstones” or “and valuable stones/gemstones called onyx” or “and valuable gemstones”. It is not certain what kind of stone this was, but most Bible scholars think it was onyx, which is a kind of quartz that is often black, but also occurs in many other colors, and can have stripes or bands of white (or other colors) running through it.
are} there
Quote: שָׁ֥ם (1)“are/were also found there.” or “are/were also in that land/region.” Make sure the verb tense you choose here fits with the way you translated verse 11.
Genesis 2:13
And the name of the second river {is
Quote: וְשֵֽׁם הַנָּהָ֥ר הַשֵּׁנִ֖י (1)“The name of the second river is/was” or “The second river is/was named/called” or “The second river is/was”. See how you translated a similar phrase in verse 11.
Gihon
Quote: גִּיח֑וֹן (1)“the Gihon River.”
It winds through
Quote: ה֣וּא הַסּוֹבֵ֔ב (1)“It meanders/meandered through” or “which flows/flowed around through”. Consider whether it is better here in your language to begin a new sentence or to continue the previous sentence. See how you translated this phrase in verse 11.
all of the land of Cush
Quote: אֵ֖ת כָּל אֶ֥רֶץ כּֽוּשׁ (1)“the entire/whole region of/called Cush.” See how you translated a similar phrase in verse 11.
Genesis 2:14
And the name of the third river {is
Quote: וְשֵׁ֨ם הַנָּהָ֤ר הַשְּׁלִישִׁי֙ (1)“The name of the third river is/was” or “The third river is/was named/called” or “The third river is/was”
Tigris
Quote: חִדֶּ֔קֶל (1)“the Tigris River.”
It goes east of
Quote: ה֥וּא הַֽהֹלֵ֖ךְ קִדְמַ֣ת (1)“It flows/flowed in an area east of” or “which flows/flowed in an area east of” or “which was located east of”. The word “east” refers to where the river was located, not the direction it was flowing.
Asshur
Quote: אַשּׁ֑וּר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“the land/region of/called Asshur/Assyria.” This Hebrew name is pronounced “ash-shur” and is spelled “Asshur,” “Ashur,” or “Assyria” in English, depending on the context. This was a region of land, because at that time there were no cities. Most translations have “Assyria” here. Consider again how you translated “the land of” in verses 11 and 13.
And the fourth river {is
Quote: וְהַנָּהָ֥ר הָֽרְבִיעִ֖י (1)“The name of the fourth river is/was” or “The fourth river is/was named/called” or “and the fourth river is/was”. See how you translated a similar phrase in verses 11, 13-14. Also consider again whether it is best in your language to use present tense or past tense in verses 10-14.
Euphrates
Quote: פְרָֽת (1)“the Euphrates River.” Consider again how you translated the names of rivers in verses 11, 13-14.
Genesis 2:15
And Yahweh God took the man and put him
Quote: וַיִּקַּ֛ח יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶת הָֽאָדָ֑ם וַיַּנִּחֵ֣הוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background
“Now Yahweh God had already put the man” or “After Yahweh God put the man”. In verse 8 it says that God had already put the man in the garden, so the way you translate verse 15 should not sound like he did it again. This information is repeated here to continue the story from verse 8.
in the Garden of Eden
Quote: בְגַן עֵ֔דֶן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“in the garden in the land/region of/called Eden” or “in Eden Garden”. Notice that “Garden” is capitalized when it is part of a name.
to work it
Quote: לְעָבְדָ֖הּ (1)“to cultivate/farm it” or “so that he would cultivate/farm it”. See how you translated “work” in verse 5.
and tend it
Quote: וּלְשָׁמְרָֽהּ (1)“and maintain it.” or “and take care of it.”
Genesis 2:16
Then Yahweh God commanded the man, saying
Quote: וַיְצַו֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהִ֔ים עַל־הָֽאָדָ֖ם לֵאמֹ֑ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“Then Yahweh/he commanded the man,” or “he commanded him,” The way you begin verse 16 depends on how you began verse 15. Consider what is the best way to refer to “Yahweh God” and “the man” here.
From every tree of the garden you may freely eat
Quote: מִכֹּ֥ל עֵֽץ הַגָּ֖ן אָכֹ֥ל תֹּאכֵֽל (1)“You may eat as much fruit as you want to eat from every/any tree in the garden,” or “You are permitted to eat whatever fruit that you want to eat from every/any tree in the garden,”
Genesis 2:17
but you must not eat from the tree of
Quote: וּמֵעֵ֗ץ & לֹ֥א תֹאכַ֖ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-exceptions
“except you must/may not eat any fruit from the tree” or “except for one: you must/may not eat the fruit that grows on the tree” or “except I forbid you to eat any fruit from the tree”. Make sure it is clear in your translation that God is not contradicting himself here, but rather he is giving an exception to what he said in verse 16. To make that clear, you could say (starting with the beginning of God’s words in verse 16), “Out of all the trees in the garden, there is only one tree that you must/may not eat from: the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat fruit from that tree, on that same day you will certainly/definitely die.”
the knowledge of good and evil
Quote: הַדַּ֨עַת֙ ט֣וֹב וָרָ֔ע (1)“whose fruit enables people to know/discern what is good/right and what is evil/wrong,” See how you translated this phrase in verse 9.
because on the day you eat from it
Quote: כִּ֗י בְּי֛וֹם אֲכָלְךָ֥ מִמֶּ֖נּוּ (1)“because on the same day you eat fruit from that tree” or “If you eat any fruit from that tree, on that same day” or “because as soon as you eat fruit from that tree”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
you will surely die
Quote: מ֥וֹת תָּמֽוּת (1)“you will certainly/definitely die.”
Genesis 2:18
Then Yahweh God said, “{It is} not good {for
Quote: וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהִ֔ים לֹא ט֛וֹב (1)“Then/Next Yahweh who is God declared, It is not good”
the man to be alone
Quote: הֱי֥וֹת הָֽאָדָ֖ם לְבַדּ֑וֹ (1)“that the man is alone.” or “for the man to live by himself.”
I will make
Quote: אֶֽעֱשֶׂהּ (1)“So I will make/create”
a suitable helper for him
Quote: לּ֥וֹ עֵ֖זֶר כְּנֶגְדּֽוֹ (1)“a helper/companion who is just/exactly right for him.” or “someone who is suitable/right for him and will help him.” or “a suitable companion to help him.”
Genesis 2:19
Now Yahweh God had formed from the ground
Quote: וַיִּצֶר֩ יְהוָ֨ה אֱלֹהִ֜ים מִן הָֽאֲדָמָ֗ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background
“Now before that, Yahweh God had formed/shaped from the dust/dirt on the ground” or “Now previously, Yahweh/he had used dust/dirt from the ground to form/shape”. The first sentence of verse 19 is a flashback of what happened before the events in verses 15-18 (which were first recorded in Gen 1:20-21, 24-25). Translate this phrase in a way that makes it clear that this is background information that has already happened. Also see how you translated “formed” in verses 7-8 and “dust from the ground” in verse 7.
every living thing of the field
Quote: כָּל חַיַּ֤ת הַשָּׂדֶה֙ (1)“every kind/type of creature/animal that lives in the fields/wild” or “all the different kinds/types of animals that live in the fields” or “all the different kinds/types of wild animals”. Consider how you translated a similar phrase (“every living creature of the earth”) in Gen 1:24, 30.
and every bird of the sky
Quote: וְאֵת֙ כָּל ע֣וֹף הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם (1)“and every kind/type of bird that flies in the sky.” or “and all the different kinds/types of birds that fly in the sky.” See how you translated this phrase in Gen 1:30.
So he brought {them
Quote: וַיָּבֵא֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go
“So/Then he brought/took them all”. This sentence continues the storyline. Consider how your language continues a story after giving background information. Also consider whether “brought” or “took” fits best here in your language.
to the man
Quote: אֶל הָ֣אָדָ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“to Adam”. Every translation team needs to decide when to use Adam’s name for the first time in the book of Genesis. The Hebrew word “adam” means “man” and is also Adam’s name; the choice that is not followed here in your translation could be put in a footnote. Some translations first use Adam’s name here in verse 19, when he is naming the animals. Many other translations start using his name at the end of verse 20. Still other translations wait until 3:20 when he names Eve, and a few other translations begin in 3:9, 17, or 21.
to see
Quote: לִרְא֖וֹת (1)“to watch/hear” or “to find out”
what he would call them
Quote: מַה יִּקְרָא ל֑וֹ (1)“what he would name each one,” or “what names he would give/assign to them,” These names were labels for what kind of animals they were, such as “dog” or “horse”, not personal names like “David” or “Mary”.
and whatever the man called
Quote: וְכֹל֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִקְרָא ל֧וֹ הָֽאָדָ֛ם (1)“and whatever Adam called/named” or “Whatever name the man gave/assigned to”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
a living creature
Quote: נֶ֥פֶשׁ חַיָּ֖ה (1)“each kind/type of living creature,” or “each kind/type of animal,”
that {was} its name
Quote: ה֥וּא שְׁמֽוֹ (1)“that became its name.” or “that became the name of/for that kind/type of animal.”
Genesis 2:20
And the man gave names to all the livestock
Quote: וַיִּקְרָ֨א הָֽאָדָ֜ם שֵׁמ֗וֹת לְכָל־הַבְּהֵמָה֙ (1)“The man gave/assigned names to all the different kinds/types of livestock” or “Adam named all the different kinds/types of domestic/tame animals”. For a note about when to first use Adam’s name, see verse 19. Also, see how you translated “livestock” in Gen 1:24-26.
and to the bird{s} of the sky
Quote: וּלְע֣וֹף הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם (1)“and to all the different kinds/types of birds that fly in the sky”
and to every living thing of the field
Quote: וּלְכֹ֖ל חַיַּ֣ת הַשָּׂדֶ֑ה (1)“and to all the other different kinds/types of creatures/animals that live in the fields/wild,” or “and to all the wild animals,” See how you translated a similar phrase in verse 19.
but for the man a suitable helper was not found
Quote: וּלְאָדָ֕ם לֹֽא מָצָ֥א עֵ֖זֶר כְּנֶגְדּֽוֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
“but he did/could not find a suitable helper for himself among them.” or “but none of them was a helper/companion who was just/exactly right for him.” or “but none of them was a suitable companion to help him.” Consider whether it is more natural in your language to use an active or passive construction here. Also see how you translated “a suitable helper” in verse 18.
Genesis 2:21
So Yahweh God caused a deep sleep to fall on the man
Quote: וַיַּפֵּל֩ יְהוָ֨ה אֱלֹהִ֧ים תַּרְדֵּמָ֛ה עַל הָאָדָ֖ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“So/Then Yahweh God caused the man to fall/go into a deep/sound sleep.” or “So/Then Yahweh God caused the man to sleep very deeply/soundly.” Many languages have a similar idiom for “caused a deep sleep to fall on” that works well here. Consider what is best in your language.
And {while} he was sleeping
Quote: וַיִּישָׁ֑ן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“Then while the man was sleeping/asleep,” Consider whether it is best in your language to use a pronoun or a noun here to refer to the man.
then he took
Quote: וַיִּקַּ֗ח (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“he/God took out”. Consider whether to use a pronoun or noun here to refer to God. Make sure it is clear in your translation who is being referred to at each point in this verse.
one of his ribs
Quote: אַחַת֙ מִצַּלְעֹתָ֔יו (1)This phrase is ambiguous in the Hebrew text. It could mean: (1) “one of the man’s ribs from his body/side” or “a rib from the man’s body/side” or (2) “part of the man’s side from his body”
and closed up its place {with} flesh
Quote: וַיִּסְגֹּ֥ר בָּשָׂ֖ר תַּחְתֶּֽנָּה (1)“and filled in the place/hole where it had been with flesh and healed it.” or “and replaced it with flesh and healed him.” In this context, the term “flesh” probably includes muscles and skin.
Genesis 2:22
Then Yahweh God built
Quote: וַיִּבֶן֩ יְהוָ֨ה אֱלֹהִ֧ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“Next Yahweh God” or “Next he” or “After that, Yahweh/he”. For many languages it is more natural here to use a pronoun to refer to Yahweh God. Do what is best in your language. After you finish translating a chapter or section, it is a good practice to read that section aloud and listen for what is the best way to refer to God and others at each place in the text.
Then … built the rib which he had taken from the man into a woman
Quote: וַיִּבֶן֩ & אֶֽת הַצֵּלָ֛ע אֲשֶׁר לָקַ֥ח מִן הָֽאָדָ֖ם לְאִשָּׁ֑ה (1)“made/constructed a woman from the rib which he had taken out of the man’s body,” or “used the rib which he taken from the man to make/construct a woman from it,” See how you translated “rib” in verse 21 and see the note about that there.
and he brought her to the man
Quote: וַיְבִאֶ֖הָ אֶל הָֽאָדָֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go
“and he took her to the man.” or “Then he brought/took her to the man.” See how you translated “brought” in verse 19.
Genesis 2:23
And the man said
Quote: וַיֹּאמֶר֮ הָֽאָדָם֒ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“Then the man said/exclaimed,” or “When the man saw her, he said/exclaimed,” or “When the man woke up and saw the woman, he said/exclaimed,” Remember to only make implied information explicit in your translation if it helps people understand the text better or if it is necessary to prevent wrong meaning or bad grammar in your language.
This {one} now
Quote: זֹ֣את הַפַּ֗עַם (1)“Now there is a person who” or “At last here is a person like me who” or “Finally/Ahh! Here is someone like me who”
is} bone from my bones and flesh from my flesh
Quote: עֶ֚צֶם מֵֽעֲצָמַ֔י וּבָשָׂ֖ר מִבְּשָׂרִ֑י (1)“has bones and flesh from me!” or “was made out of my own bones and flesh!”
She will be called ‘woman
Quote: לְזֹאת֙ יִקָּרֵ֣א אִשָּׁ֔ה (1)“I will call her ‘woman,’ ” There is a play-on-words here because the Hebrew word for woman (“ishsha”) is similar to the Hebrew word for man (“ish”). You could put that information in a footnote.
because {it was} from a man {that} she was taken
Quote: כִּ֥י מֵאִ֖ישׁ לֻֽקֳחָה זֹּֽאת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
“because she was taken by God from the body of a man.” or “because it was from the body of a man that God took her.” Consider what is the best way to translate this passive clause in your language.
Genesis 2:24
For that {reason
Quote: עַל כֵּן֙ (1)“Because of that,” or “That is why” or “Since the woman was created from the man’s body,”
a man will leave
Quote: יַֽעֲזָב אִ֔ישׁ (1)“a/every man who marries will/must leave” or “when a man gets married, he must move away from”
his father and his mother
Quote: אֶת אָבִ֖יו וְאֶת אִמּ֑וֹ (1)“the home of his father and mother,”
and he will cling to his wife
Quote: וְדָבַ֣ק בְּאִשְׁתּ֔וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“and he must unite/join with his wife,” or “and he must live in close relationship with his wife,” This idiom means that the man is committed to his wife and has a close physical relationship with her too. Consider what is the best way to translate this in your language.
and they will become
Quote: וְהָי֖וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youdual
“so that they become”. Some languages have a special dual pronoun for “they” that fits well here.
one flesh
Quote: לְבָשָׂ֥ר אֶחָֽד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“completely one/united.” or “united in body and spirit.” or “united like one person.” The phrase “one flesh” is an idiom that emphasizes the close physical and spiritual unity between a husband and wife. Other languages may have a similar idiom. Consider how to best communicate this in your language.
Genesis 2:25
And the man and his wife were both naked
Quote: וַיִּֽהְי֤וּ שְׁנֵיהֶם֙ עֲרוּמִּ֔ים הָֽאָדָ֖ם וְאִשְׁתּ֑וֹ (1)“Now at/during that time both the man and his wife were naked,” or “At/During that time the man and his wife did not wear any clothes,”
but they were not ashamed
Quote: וְלֹ֖א יִתְבֹּשָֽׁשׁוּ (1)“but yet they were not ashamed/embarrassed about it.” or “but yet they did not feel ashamed/embarrassed about being naked.” Some languages have an idiom for this clause that fits well here. Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 3
Genesis 3:1
Now the serpent
Quote: וְהַנָּחָשׁ֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-background
“Now the snake”. The conjunction “Now” introduces background information about the serpent. See how you translated this conjunction in Gen 2:5, 8, 19.
was more crafty than every living thing of the field
Quote: הָיָ֣ה עָר֔וּם מִכֹּל֙ חַיַּ֣ת הַשָּׂדֶ֔ה (1)“was more deceptive and clever/cunning than any of the other creatures/animals that live in the fields/wild” or “was the craftiest of all the animals”. Make sure that your translation of “crafty” means that the snake had evil intent and was clever in a way that was not good. See how you translated “living thing of the field” in Gen 2:19-20.
that Yahweh God had made
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָׂ֖ה יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהִ֑ים (1)“that Yahweh who is God had made/created.” or “that God whose name is Yahweh had made/created.” Make sure your translation of this phrase refers to the animals that God had made, not the fields. Also see how you translated “Yahweh God” in chapter 2, beginning in verse 4.
And he said to the woman
Quote: וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ אֶל־הָ֣אִשָּׁ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“One day he asked the woman,” or “One day the serpent/snake came/went to the woman and asked her,” If you use a pronoun (“he”) here in your translation, make sure it refers to the serpent, not God. Also, since the snake asked a question, some languages have to be more specific and say “asked” in the quote margin. Do what is best in your language.
Did God really say, ‘You must not eat
Quote: אַ֚ף כִּֽי אָמַ֣ר אֱלֹהִ֔ים לֹ֣א תֹֽאכְל֔וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes
“Did God really/actually command you to not eat” or “Is it true that God commanded you not to eat”. Consider whether it is better in your language to translate this embedded quote as a direct or indirect quote.
from any tree of the garden
Quote: מִכֹּ֖ל עֵ֥ץ הַגָּֽן (1)“fruit from any of the trees that is/are in the garden?” or “any fruit from the trees in the garden?” See how you translated “garden” in Genesis 2, beginning in verse 8.
Genesis 3:2
Then the woman said to the serpent
Quote: וַתֹּ֥אמֶר הָֽאִשָּׁ֖ה אֶל הַנָּחָ֑שׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“The woman answered the serpent/snake,” or “The woman responded to him,” or “The woman replied,” Consider what is the best way to translate this quote margin in your language.
We may eat
Quote: נֹאכֵֽל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive
“No, we have permission from God/him to eat” or “No, God/he has given us permission to eat”. The woman is not including the snake when she says “we” here.
from the fruit of
Quote: מִפְּרִ֥י (1)“the fruit of/from” or “fruit from”. See how you translated “fruit” in Gen 1:11-12, 29.
the tree{s} of the garden
Quote: עֵֽץ הַגָּ֖ן (1)“any/all of the trees that are in the garden,” or “any tree in the garden,”
Genesis 3:3
except from the fruit of the tree that {is} in the middle of the garden
Quote: וּמִפְּרִ֣י הָעֵץ֮ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּתוֹךְ הַגָּן֒ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-versebridge
“except fruit from the tree that is in the middle/center of the garden.” or “except there is one tree that we must/may not eat fruit from, which is in the middle/center of the garden.” For some languages it is necessary to put the exception clause first and say, “No, it is only the tree in the middle of the garden that God said we must/may not eat any fruit from, but the fruit of/from all the rest of the trees in the garden we may eat.” Notice that if you follow this example, you must combine verses 2 and 3 and put the verse numbers “2-3” in front of the combination.
God said, ‘You must not eat from it
Quote: אָמַ֣ר אֱלֹהִ֗ים לֹ֤א תֹֽאכְלוּ֙ מִמֶּ֔נּוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes
“God/he told/commanded us, ‘Do not eat fruit from that tree,” or “God/He told/commanded us to not eat any of that fruit,” Consider whether it is better in your language to translate this embedded quote as a direct or indirect quote.
and you must not touch it
Quote: וְלֹ֥א תִגְּע֖וּ בּ֑וֹ (1)“and do not even touch it,” or “or even touch it,”
or else you will die
Quote: פֶּן תְּמֻתֽוּן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes
“because if you do eat it or touch it, you will die!” or “because if we do eat it or touch it, we will die!” Make sure the way you translate this clause fits with whether you translated the first part of the sentence as a direct (“you”) or indirect (“we”) quote.
Genesis 3:4
But the serpent said to the woman
Quote: וַיֹּ֥אמֶר הַנָּחָ֖שׁ אֶל־הָֽאִשָּׁ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“But the snake said/replied to her,” or “But the snake replied,” See how you translated “serpent” in verses 1-2.
You will not surely die
Quote: לֹֽא מ֖וֹת תְּמֻתֽוּן (1)“That is not true. You will not die.” or “It’s not true that you will die.”
Genesis 3:5
For God knows
Quote: כִּ֚י יֹדֵ֣עַ אֱלֹהִ֔ים (1)“Actually, God/he knows” or “The reason God said that is because he knows”. The connecting word “For” introduces an explanation here. Consider what is the best way to do that in your language.
that on the day
Quote: כִּ֗י בְּיוֹם֙ (1)“that as soon as” or “that when/if”
you eat from it
Quote: אֲכָלְכֶ֣ם מִמֶּ֔נּוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-dual
“you eat fruit from that tree,” or “you eat some/any of that fruit,” The pronouns “you” and “your” are plural in this verse and refer to the man and the woman. Some languages have a special dual pronoun for this. Consider again how you translated “you” and “your” in verses 1-5.
then your eyes will be opened
Quote: וְנִפְקְח֖וּ עֵֽינֵיכֶ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“your mind/understanding will be opened/expanded,” or “you will gain/have new understanding,” or “you will understand/know new things,” Consider whether your language has an idiom like “your eyes will be opened” that would fit well here.
and you will be like God in knowing good and evil
Quote: וִהְיִיתֶם֙ כֵּֽאלֹהִ֔ים יֹדְעֵ֖י ט֥וֹב וָרָֽע (1)“and as a result you will be like God/him because you will know what is good/right and what is evil/wrong.” or “so that you will know what is good/right and what is evil/wrong just like God does.” The Hebrew word “Elohim” is ambiguous in this context. It could mean: (1) “God”, which is what it means everywhere else in the first 30 chapters of Genesis; or (2) “gods” or “divine beings” or (3) “angels”. See how you translated “good and evil” in Gen 2:9, 17.
Genesis 3:6
And the woman saw that
Quote: וַתֵּ֣רֶא הָֽאִשָּׁ֡ה כִּ֣י (1)“The woman saw/observed that”
the tree
Quote: הָעֵ֨ץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“the tree produced fruit that” or “the fruit of that tree” or “the tree’s fruit”. The word “tree” refers here to the fruit that is produced by that tree. Make sure that is clear in your translation.
was} good for food
Quote: טוֹב֩ & לְמַאֲכָ֜ל (1)“was/looked good/delicious to eat”
and that it {was} pleasant to the eyes
Quote: וְכִ֧י תַֽאֲוָה ה֣וּא לָעֵינַ֗יִם (1)“and that the tree itself was/looked very beautiful,”
and {that} the tree was desirable for gaining wisdom
Quote: וְנֶחְמָ֤ד הָעֵץ֙ לְהַשְׂכִּ֔יל (1)“and she thought/believed that the fruit from the tree would make her wise/wiser.” or “She also desired/wanted to eat the fruit so that it would make her wise/wiser.” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
So she took some of its fruit and ate {it
Quote: וַתִּקַּ֥ח מִפִּרְי֖וֹ וַתֹּאכַ֑ל (1)“So/Then she took/picked some of the fruit from/off the tree and ate it.”
Then she also gave {some
Quote: וַתִּתֵּ֧ן גַּם (1)“She also gave some of the fruit”
to her husband with her
Quote: לְאִישָׁ֛הּ עִמָּ֖הּ (1)“to her husband, who was there with her,”
and he ate {it
Quote: וַיֹּאכַֽל (1)“and he ate it/some too.” or “and he also ate it/some.”
Genesis 3:7
Then the eyes of them both were opened
Quote: וַתִּפָּקַ֨חְנָה֙ עֵינֵ֣י שְׁנֵיהֶ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“Immediately/Suddenly it was as if their eyes/minds were opened/enlightened,” or “Immediately/Suddenly they both gained/had new understanding,” or “Immediately/Suddenly they both understood new things,” An immediate result of their sin was that they realized they were naked, which they had not been aware of before. See how you translated the idiom “eyes … opened” in verse 5.
and they knew
Quote: וַיֵּ֣דְע֔וּ (1)“so that they realized” or “so that they became aware”
that they {were} naked
Quote: כִּ֥י עֵֽירֻמִּ֖ם הֵ֑ם (1)“that their bodies were naked/uncovered/bare and they felt ashamed/embarrassed.”
So they sewed … together
Quote: וַֽיִּתְפְּרוּ֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youdual
“So they fastened/joined together”. The word for “sewed” implies here that some type of needle and thread were used. For example, they may have used a thin, sharpened stick for the needle, and plant fibers for the thread. If necessary, you could use a more general term such as “fastened/joined together” or “connected”. Also, some languages have dual pronouns that can be used in verses 7-8 for “they” and “themselves”. Do what is best in your language.
fig leaves
Quote: עֲלֵ֣ה תְאֵנָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
“some fig tree leaves” or “some large leaves from a fig tree”. Historical facts should not be changed in a translation, including the historical fact that Adam and Eve used fig tree leaves to make aprons. If fig trees are not known in your language area, you could say “large leaves from a tree called a fig tree”.
and made aprons for themselves
Quote: וַיַּעֲשׂ֥וּ לָהֶ֖ם חֲגֹרֹֽת (1)“and used/wore them like/as aprons/skirts/loincloths to cover their nakedness/bodies.” or “and wore them around their waists to cover their nakedness/bodies.” or “and used them to make clothes for themselves.” These aprons/skirts probably covered them from the waist down to somewhere around the knees.
Genesis 3:8
Then they heard
Quote: וַֽיִּשְׁמְע֞וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“Then/Later the man and his wife heard”. For some languages it may be clearer and more natural to put the noun phrase “the man and his wife” here and then use a pronoun (“they”) later in this sentence. Do what is best in your language.
the sound of Yahweh God walking
Quote: אֶת ק֨וֹל יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהִ֛ים מִתְהַלֵּ֥ךְ (1)“the sound of Yahweh God’s footsteps as he walked” or “Yahweh God’s voice as he walked”. This phrase can refer to the sound of God’s footsteps or to the sound of his voice. Either meaning fits the context well and is followed by many translations.
in the garden
Quote: בַּגָּ֖ן (1)“around in the garden” or “through the garden”
in the breeze of the day
Quote: לְר֣וּחַ הַיּ֑וֹם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“late in the afternoon in/during the breezy/cool time of the day,” or “late that afternoon/day when there was a cool breeze blowing,” This idiom refers to the late afternoon or early evening when there is a breeze blowing and it is cooler. For some languages it is more natural to put this time phrase at the beginning of the sentence. Do what is best in your language.
but the man and his wife hid
Quote: וַיִּתְחַבֵּ֨א הָֽאָדָ֜ם וְאִשְׁתּ֗וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“but/so they hid themselves” or “but/so they tried to hide themselves”. If you use “the man and his wife” earlier in this verse in your translation, consider whether or not a pronoun should be used here.
from the presence of Yahweh God
Quote: מִפְּנֵי֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“from Yahweh God” or “from his presence/sight” or “from him”. Consider what is the best way to refer to Yahweh at this point in the paragraph in your language.
among the tree{s} of the garden
Quote: בְּת֖וֹךְ עֵ֥ץ הַגָּֽן (1)“in the midst of the trees in the garden.” or “behind some trees there.” Since the garden is already mentioned earlier in verse 8, for some languages it may be more natural to be general here and say “there”. Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 3:9
So Yahweh God called
Quote: וַיִּקְרָ֛א יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים (1)“Then/But Yahweh God called out”. See how you translated this name for God in verses 1 and 8.
to the man and said to him
Quote: אֶל הָֽאָדָ֑ם וַיֹּ֥אמֶר ל֖וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“to the man and asked him,” or “to Adam,” See the note at Gen 2:19 about when to start using Adam’s name. Also consider what is the best way to translate this quote margin in your language.
Where {are} you
Quote: אַיֶּֽכָּה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular
“Adam, where are you?” Notice that the word “you” is singular here because God is only addressing the man.
Genesis 3:10
And he said
Quote: וַיֹּ֕אמֶר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“He/Adam answered him,” or “The man replied,”
I heard your sound
Quote: אֶת קֹלְךָ֥ שָׁמַ֖עְתִּי (1)“I heard the sound of you walking” or “I heard your voice” or “I heard the sound of your footsteps/voice as you walked”. See how you translated “sound” in verse 8.
in the garden
Quote: בַּגָּ֑ן (1)“through the garden,”
but I was afraid because I {was} naked, so I hid
Quote: וָאִירָ֛א כִּֽי עֵירֹ֥ם אָנֹ֖כִי וָאֵחָבֵֽא (1)“but I was naked, so I was/felt afraid and I hid from you.” or “but I was naked and afraid that you would see me, so I hid.”
Genesis 3:11
Then he said
Quote: וַיֹּ֕אמֶר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“So Yahweh God asked him,” Make sure your translation of “he” refers to Yahweh here, not the man.
Who told you that you {were} naked
Quote: מִ֚י הִגִּ֣יד לְךָ֔ כִּ֥י עֵירֹ֖ם אָ֑תָּה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular
“What made you realize/know that you were naked?” or “How did you find out that you were naked?” The pronoun “you” is still singular here.
Did you eat from the tree
Quote: הֲמִן הָעֵ֗ץ & אָכָֽלְתָּ (1)“Did you disobey me and eat fruit from the tree”
that I commanded you not to eat from
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֧ר צִוִּיתִ֛יךָ לְבִלְתִּ֥י אֲכָל מִמֶּ֖נּוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes
“that I commanded you, ‘Do not eat from it’?” For some languages it is more natural to use a direct quote here for Yahweh’s words. Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 3:12
Then the man said
Quote: וַיֹּ֖אמֶר הָֽאָדָ֑ם (1)“But the man said/replied to him,” or “The man answered him,”
The woman whom you gave {to be} with me, she
Quote: הָֽאִשָּׁה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נָתַ֣תָּה עִמָּדִ֔י הִ֛וא (1)“The woman whom you put here to be/live with me, she is the one who” or “It was the woman you gave to me who”. The pronoun “she” is emphatic in the Hebrew text. That, along with the position of “The woman” at the beginning of the sentence, shows that the man is strongly emphasizing his blame of the woman. Consider what is the best way to communicate that emphasis in your language.
gave me {fruit} from the tree
Quote: נָֽתְנָה לִּ֥י מִן הָעֵ֖ץ (1)“gave me some fruit from that tree,” or “gave me some of the/that fruit,” See how you translated “fruit” in verses 1-6.
and I ate {it
Quote: וָאֹכֵֽל (1)“so I ate it.” or “That is why I ate it/some.” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
Genesis 3:13
Then Yahweh God said to the woman
Quote: וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהִ֛ים לָאִשָּׁ֖ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“So Yahweh God asked the woman,” Consider what is the best way to translate this quote margin in your language.
What {is} this you have done
Quote: מַה זֹּ֣את עָשִׂ֑ית (1)“What have you done?” or “What did you do?” or “Tell me what you have done.” God already knew the answer to this question, but he is giving the woman a chance to confess and explain what she did. God’s question probably also implies that he is displeased with what has happened.
And the woman said
Quote: וַתֹּ֨אמֶר֙ הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“But the woman said/replied to him,” or “The woman said/replied,” or “She replied,”
The serpent
Quote: הַנָּחָ֥שׁ (1)“The snake” or “It was the serpent/snake that”. This phrase is emphasized in the Hebrew text.
deceived me
Quote: הִשִּׁיאַ֖נִי (1)“tricked me,” or “lied to me,”
so I ate {it
Quote: וָאֹכֵֽל (1)“so I ate some of the/that fruit.” or “That is why I ate it/some.” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
Genesis 3:14
Then Yahweh God said to the serpent
Quote: וַיֹּאמֶר֩ יְהֹוָ֨ה אֱלֹהִ֥ים אֶֽל הַנָּחָשׁ֮ (1)“So Yahweh God said to the snake,”
Because you have done this
Quote: כִּ֣י עָשִׂ֣יתָ זֹּאת֒ (1)“Because/Since you did that,” or “Because/Since you deceived/tricked the woman,”
you are cursed
Quote: אָר֤וּר אַתָּה֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-key-terms
“you are cursed by me” or “I am cursing you” or “I will cause you to suffer” or “I will punish you”. In this context, “cursed” involves God punishing the serpent and its descendants, causing them to suffer by crawling along the ground on their bellies and having a hostile relationship with human beings. Make sure that the way you translate this term does not imply the use of magic.
above all the livestock
Quote: מִכָּל־הַבְּהֵמָ֔ה (1)“more severely/harshly than all the domestic/tame animals”. When Adam and Eve sinned and God judged them, the curse and punishment of death and decay also affected everything that was under their authority, including the animals. Here in Gen 3:14, God puts a more severe curse on the serpent (and his descendants) than he put on the rest of the animals. See how you translated “livestock” in Gen 1:24-26; 2:20.
and above every living thing of the field
Quote: וּמִכֹּ֖ל חַיַּ֣ת הַשָּׂדֶ֑ה (1)“and more severely/harshly than all the creatures/animals of/in the fields/wild.” or “and more severely/harshly than all the wild animals.” See how you translated “every living thing of the field” in verse 1.
You will move on your belly
Quote: עַל גְּחֹנְךָ֣ תֵלֵ֔ךְ (1)“As a result, you will/must move/crawl on/along the ground on your belly/stomach,”
and you will eat dust
Quote: וְעָפָ֥ר תֹּאכַ֖ל (1)“and you will/must eat dust/dirt with your food”. Make sure your translation of this clause does not imply that dust or dirt is all the snake will eat. Rather it could mean that dirt will get into his mouth when he eats his food, or it could be an idiom that refers to the fact that as he slithers along, his mouth will always be close to the dirt on the ground (a position of humility). Also see how you translated “dust” in Gen 2:7.
all the days of your life
Quote: כָּל יְמֵ֥י חַיֶּֽיךָ (1)“your entire life.” or “for as long as you live.”
Genesis 3:15
I will also put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring
Quote: וְאֵיבָ֣ה אָשִׁ֗ית בֵּֽינְךָ֙ וּבֵ֣ין הָֽאִשָּׁ֔ה וּבֵ֥ין זַרְעֲךָ֖ וּבֵ֣ין זַרְעָ֑הּ (1)“I will also cause you and the woman to be enemies with each other, and your offspring/descendants and her offspring/descendants to also be enemies.” or “ Besides that, I will cause you and your descendants to be enemies with the woman and her descendants.”
He
Quote: ה֚וּא (1)“In fact, her offspring/descendant” or “In fact, one of her descendants”. The pronoun “He” is ambiguous here. It could refer to: (1) the woman’s descendant (Jesus) who would one day come to earth as the Messiah/Christ; or (2) the woman’s descendants who will constantly be enemies of the snake’s descendants. If you follow the first interpretation, this would be the first prophecy in the Bible about the Messiah/Christ (“the Anointed One” or “the Promised Savior King”) who would come to earth and destroy Satan’s power (Hebrews 2:14). You could include that information in a footnote.
will strike you {on} the head, and you will strike him {on} the heel
Quote: יְשׁוּפְךָ֣ רֹ֔אשׁ וְאַתָּ֖ה תְּשׁוּפֶ֥נּוּ עָקֵֽב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“will strike/crush your head, and you will strike/bite/bruise his heel.” This is figurative language that Satan will harm the Messiah, but the Messiah will destroy him. For some languages it is better to switch the order of these clauses and say, “In fact, you will strike/bite/bruise the heel of one of her descendants, but he will strike/crush your head.” Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 3:16
To the woman he said
Quote: אֶֽל הָאִשָּׁ֣ה אָמַ֗ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“Then he/God said to the woman,” or “Then Yahweh God turned to the woman and said to her,” In the Hebrew text, “to the woman” comes first in this sentence, to emphasize her. Do what is natural in your language. Also consider what is the best way to refer to God here in your language.
I will greatly multiply your pain
Quote: הַרְבָּ֤ה אַרְבֶּה֙ עִצְּבוֹנֵ֣ךְ (1)“I will greatly increase how much you suffer” or “I will cause you to have/experience much/severe pain” or “I will cause it to be very painful”
and your childbearing
Quote: וְהֵֽרֹנֵ֔ךְ (1)“when you bear children;” or “when you give birth;”
in pain you will bear children
Quote: בְּעֶ֖צֶב תֵּֽלְדִ֣י בָנִ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
“yes/indeed, you will suffer much pain when you give birth.” or “yes/indeed, bearing children will be very painful for you.” This clause is the second part of a parallelism, which emphasizes the pain and suffering that women will experience when they bear children. If possible, it is best to keep both parts of the parallelism in your translation.
Yet your desire {will be} for your husband
Quote: וְאֶל אִישֵׁךְ֙ תְּשׁ֣וּקָתֵ֔ךְ (1)The Hebrew text is ambiguous here, because the conjunctions and the idiom “your desire will be for your husband” are all ambiguous in this context. The text could mean: (1) “Yet/But you will still desire/long to be with your husband, and he …”, which is similar to what “desire” means in Song of Songs 7:10; or (2) “Besides that, you will desire/want to control your husband, but he …”, which is similar to what “desire” means in Gen 4:7. The interpretation that is not followed in your translation could be put in a footnote.
and he will rule over you
Quote: וְה֖וּא יִמְשָׁל בָּֽךְ (1)“and he will control/dominate you.” or “and he will lord it over you.” See how you translated “rule over” in Gen 1:18. It may be necessary to translate this term differently here because of the negative context of the curse and the consequences of sin.
Genesis 3:17
Then to the man he said
Quote: וּלְאָדָ֣ם אָמַ֗ר (1)“Then/Next he/God said to the man,” or “Then/Next Yahweh God turned to Adam and said to him,” In the Hebrew text, the phrase “to the man” is emphasized. See how you translated a similar case (“to the woman”) in verse 16. For a note about when to start using Adam’s name in your translation, see Gen 2:19.
Since you listened to the voice of your wife
Quote: כִּֽי־שָׁמַעְתָּ֮ לְק֣וֹל אִשְׁתֶּךָ֒ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“Since/Because you disobeyed me and did what your wife said/suggested” or “Since/Because you did/followed what your wife told you to do”. This phrase means that Adam heard what his wife said to him and then did what she said. Consider what is the best way to communicate that in your language.
and ate from the tree
Quote: וַתֹּ֨אכַל֙ מִן הָעֵ֔ץ (1)“and ate fruit from the tree”
that I commanded you, saying, ‘You must not eat from it
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֤ר צִוִּיתִ֨יךָ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר לֹ֥א תֹאכַ֖ל מִמֶּ֑נּוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes
“that I commanded/told you, ‘Do not eat any fruit from it,’ ” or “that I commanded you to not eat any fruit from.” Consider whether it is better in your language to translate this embedded quote as a direct or indirect quote. Also see how you translated this command in verse 3.
the ground is cursed because of you
Quote: אֲרוּרָ֤ה הָֽאֲדָמָה֙ בַּֽעֲבוּרֶ֔ךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“the ground is cursed by me because of what you did.” or “I have cursed the ground because you sinned.” For some languages it may be clearer or more natural to break up this long sentence and say, “You did what your wife said and ate fruit from the tree that I commanded you not to eat any fruit from. Because of what you did, I have cursed the ground.” Also see how you translated “cursed” in verse 14.
By painful toil you will eat {from} it
Quote: בְּעִצָּבוֹן֙ תֹּֽאכֲלֶ֔נָּה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
“As a result, only by painful toil will you eat any food from it” or “As a result, you will have to work very hard and suffer to grow/get enough food to eat”
all the days of your life
Quote: כֹּ֖ל יְמֵ֥י חַיֶּֽיךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“every day of your life.” or “for your entire life.” or “for as long as you live.” For some languages it is better to put this phrase before the previous clause and say, “As a result, for as long as you live, you will have to work very hard and suffer to grow/get enough food to eat.” Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 3:18
And it will produce thorn{s} and thistle{s
Quote: וְק֥וֹץ וְדַרְדַּ֖ר תַּצְמִ֣יחַֽ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
“In fact, the ground will produce/grow thorn plants and thistle plants and other weeds” or “In fact, thorn bushes and thistle plants and other weeds will grow from the ground”. The thorn and thistle plants represent all types of weeds, which are useless and possibly harmful plants.
for you, and you will eat the plant{s} of the field{s
Quote: לָ֑ךְ וְאָכַלְתָּ֖ אֶת עֵ֥שֶׂב הַשָּׂדֶֽה (1)The Hebrew text here could mean: (1) “and make it difficult for you to grow enough crops in the/your fields for food.” or “so that you will have to work very hard in your fields to grow/produce enough crops/food to eat.” or (2) “so that your crops will not grow well and you will have to eat wild plants that grow in the open fields to survive.” That difference of interpretation comes from the fact that the Hebrew word “fields” can refer to land that people cultivate or to uncultivated land where wild plants grow.
Genesis 3:19
By the sweat of your nose you will eat bread
Quote: בְּזֵעַ֤ת אַפֶּ֨יךָ֙ תֹּ֣אכַל לֶ֔חֶם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“Only by the sweat of your face/brow/forehead will you be able to grow/produce/have enough food to eat,” or “You will have to work hard and sweat a lot in order to grow/produce/have enough food to eat,” The phrase “by the sweat of your nose/brow” is an idiom that refers to hard physical labor. Consider whether or not your language has a similar idiom. Also, bread was one of the main food staples for that time and culture, so the Hebrew word for “bread” is used here as an idiom that refers to all food, not just bread. Consider whether your language does something similar, using one type of food (such as bread, rice or potatoes) to refer to all food in general. Or you could use a general term like “food,” especially if bread is rare or expensive in your language area.
until you return to the ground
Quote: עַ֤ד שֽׁוּבְךָ֙ אֶל הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה (1)“until you die and again become dust/dirt,”
since from it you were taken
Quote: כִּ֥י מִמֶּ֖נָּה לֻקָּ֑חְתָּ (1)“which you were taken/made from by me.” or “which I took/created you from.” or “which I made/created you out of.”
For
Quote: כִּֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases
“Yes/Indeed,” or “That’s right,” This sentence rephrases and emphasizes what God just said.
you {are} dust
Quote: עָפָ֣ר אַ֔תָּה (1)“your bodies were created/made by me from dust/dirt” or “I created/made you out of dust/dirt”
and to dust you will return
Quote: וְאֶל עָפָ֖ר תָּשֽׁוּב (1)“so dust/dirt is what you will become again after you die.”
Genesis 3:20
Then the man called the name of his wife
Quote: וַיִּקְרָ֧א הָֽאָדָ֛ם שֵׁ֥ם אִשְׁתּ֖וֹ (1)“Then Adam called/named his wife” or “Then the man gave his wife the name”. Some translations use Adam’s name here because he is naming Eve. See what you did in verse 17.
Eve
Quote: חַוָּ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“Eve, which means “living/live,”” If you include the meaning of Eve’s name in your translation or in a footnote, make sure it is similar to the word in the following clause that has the same meaning (“living”), so that it is clear why Eve was given that name. The meaning of names is important in the Hebrew language, and this translation issue occurs frequently in the book of Genesis.
because
Quote: כִּ֛י (1)“He did that because”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
she was the mother of
Quote: הִ֥וא הָֽיְתָ֖ה אֵ֥ם (1)“she would be the mother/ancestor of”
all the living
Quote: כָּל חָֽי (1)“all the people who would ever live.” or “everyone who would ever live.”
Genesis 3:21
Then Yahweh God made garments of {animal} skins
Quote: וַיַּעַשׂ֩ יְהוָ֨ה אֱלֹהִ֜ים & כָּתְנ֥וֹת ע֖וֹר (1)“Then Yahweh God made some garments/clothes out of animal skins/hides” or “Then Yahweh God used some animal skins/hides to make some garments/clothes”
for Adam and his wife
Quote: לְאָדָ֧ם וּלְאִשְׁתּ֛וֹ (1)“for Adam and his wife Eve,” or “for the man and his wife,”
and he clothed them
Quote: וַיַּלְבִּשֵֽׁם (1)“and he dressed them.” or “and he put the garments/clothes on them.”
Genesis 3:22
Then Yahweh God said
Quote: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהִ֗ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“Then he said/thought,” or “Then Yahweh/he said/thought to himself,” Consider what is the best way to refer to Yahweh God in your language at this point in the paragraph. Also, see how you translated a similar quote margin in Gen 1:26, where “said” has the same meaning.
Behold
Quote: הֵ֤ן (1)“Look/Listen,” This word expresses emotion and calls attention to what God says next. See how you translated this term in Gen 1:29.
the man
Quote: הָֽאָדָם֙ (1)“the man and his wife” or “mankind” or “human beings”. Throughout verses 22-24 “the man” represents mankind, which included both the man and the woman at this point. Make sure your translation communicates that clearly in those verses and does not just refer to Adam.
has become like one of us
Quote: הָיָה֙ כְּאַחַ֣ד מִמֶּ֔נּוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive
“have become like one of us” or “have become like us”. The pronoun “us” is inclusive because God is talking to himself.
in knowing good and evil
Quote: לָדַ֖עַת ט֣וֹב וָרָ֑ע (1)“so that they know what is good and what is evil.” See how you translated this phrase in verse 5 and a similar phrase in Gen 2:9.
And now he must not reach out his hand and also take
Quote: וְעַתָּ֣ה פֶּן יִשְׁלַ֣ח יָד֗וֹ וְלָקַח֙ גַּ֚ם (1)“So now, they must not be allowed/permitted by us to also take/pick” or “So we must not allow/permit them to also take/pick” or “So now we must do something so that they do/can not also take/pick”. See how you translated “took/picked … fruit” in verse 6.
fruit} from the tree of life and eat it
Quote: מֵעֵ֣ץ הַֽחַיִּ֔ים וְאָכַ֖ל (1)“fruit from the tree of eternal life and eat some of it,” or “and eat fruit from the tree that gives people eternal life,” See how you translated “the tree of life” in Gen 2:9.
and live forever
Quote: וָחַ֥י לְעֹלָֽם (1)“and then/so live forever!” or “which will/would make them live forever!”
Genesis 3:23
So Yahweh God sent him
Quote: וַֽיְשַׁלְּחֵ֛הוּ יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים (1)“Then Yahweh God expelled/banished the man and his wife” or “So then Yahweh God forced them to leave”. Notice that in verses 22-24, “the man”, “him”, and “he” refer to mankind, that is, the man and the woman. Make sure it is clear in your translation here that both of them were sent out of the garden, not just the man. Consider again how you translated “Yahweh God” in Genesis 2 and 3, and see the note about this at Gen 2:4. Some languages have dual pronouns that are used for “they” and “them” in verses 22-24.
out of the Garden of Eden
Quote: מִגַּן עֵ֑דֶן (1)“the garden in the land/region of/called Eden” or “Eden Garden”. See how you translated this phrase in Gen 2:15.
to work the ground
Quote: לַֽעֲבֹד֙ אֶת הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה (1)“to work/farm/cultivate the ground/land/soil”. See how you translated “work the ground” in Gen 2:5 and “work it” in 2:15.
which he had been taken from
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֻקַּ֖ח מִשָּֽׁם (1)“which they had been taken/created from by him/God.” or “which God/he had taken/made them from.” It does not refer to the exact ground that he was made from. See how you translated “taken from” in verse 19.
Genesis 3:24
And after he drove the man out
Quote: וַיְגָ֖רֶשׁ אֶת הָֽאָדָ֑ם (1)“Then after he/Yahweh/God drove/forced the man and his wife out of the garden,” or “After he/Yahweh/God expelled/banished them from the garden,”
then he placed
Quote: וַיַּשְׁכֵּן֩ (1)“then he stationed” or “he placed/stationed”
on the east side of the Garden of Eden
Quote: מִקֶּ֨דֶם לְגַן עֵ֜דֶן (1)“on/to the east side of the garden at its entrance” or “at the entrance of/to the garden, which was on its east side”. It is implied that the entrance to the garden is where the cherubim were placed to keep everyone from ever entering the garden again. Consider again how you translated “garden” in Gen 2:8-10, 15-16; 3:1-3, 8, 10, 23-24.
cherubim {angels
Quote: אֶת הַכְּרֻבִ֗ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
“some powerful cherubim angels” or “some powerful beings called cherubim angels”. Most translations transliterate or borrow this term from Hebrew throughout the Bible. Cherubim are a special category of very powerful angels. Each one has four faces: a human face, a lion’s face, a bull’s face and an eagle’s face (Ezekiel 1:10; 10:14). Each of them also has multiple wings. You could include some of that information in a footnote.
and a flaming sword
Quote: וְאֵ֨ת לַ֤הַט הַחֶ֨רֶב֙ (1)“and a blazing/fiery/burning sword” or “and a sword made of flames/fire”. A sword is a weapon that has a very long, sharp (often two-sided) blade that is longer than a knife, machete, or dagger and is attached to a hilt or handle. This sword may have had flames coming from it, or this may have been fire in the shape of a sword.
that was turning in every direction
Quote: הַמִּתְהַפֶּ֔כֶת (1)“that was turning/swinging around in all directions” or “that was swinging/flashing back and forth”. It seems that the sword was swinging by itself since there is no mention of anyone holding it.
to guard the way of
Quote: לִשְׁמֹ֕ר אֶת דֶּ֖רֶךְ (1)“to keep everyone away from the way/path that leads/goes to” or “so that no one could get/go near”
the tree of life
Quote: עֵ֥ץ הַֽחַיִּֽים (1)“the tree of eternal life.” or “the tree whose fruit gives people eternal life.” or “the tree whose fruit makes people live forever.” See how you translated this phrase in Gen 2:9 and 3:22.
Genesis 4
Genesis 4:1
Then the man
Quote: וְהָ֣אָדָ֔ם (1)“Then Adam” or “Then the man Adam”. For a note about when to begin referring to the man as Adam, see Gen 2:19.
knew Eve his wife
Quote: יָדַ֖ע אֶת חַוָּ֣ה אִשְׁתּ֑וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
“had marital relations with his wife Eve,” or “slept with his wife Eve,” or “was intimate with his wife Eve,” This phrase is a Hebrew idiom that means Adam had marital/sexual relations with Eve. Many languages have a similar idiom. Make sure you translate this in a way that is polite and will not offend or embarrass people, especially when read aloud.
and she conceived and bore
Quote: וַתַּ֨הַר֙ וַתֵּ֣לֶד (1)“so that she became pregnant and later gave birth to”. Translate this clause in a way that will not embarrass people, especially when read aloud.
Cain
Quote: אֶת קַ֔יִן (1)“a son they named Cain, which means “obtained/acquired.”” You could include the meaning of Cain’s name in your translation or in a footnote. See what you did for a similar case in Gen 3:20.
And she said
Quote: וַתֹּ֕אמֶר (1)“because she said/exclaimed,” or “They named him that because she/Eve had said/exclaimed,” This sentence explains how Cain got his name. Make sure that is clear in your translation. Also consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
I have obtained
Quote: קָנִ֥יתִי (1)The Hebrew text is ambiguous here. It could mean: (1) “I have obtained/acquired” or (2) “I have produced/created”. If you include the meaning of Cain’s name earlier in this verse in your translation or in a footnote, make sure it matches your choice here so that it is clear why he was given that name.
a man
Quote: אִ֖ישׁ (1)“a male child” or “a boy/son” or “a baby boy”. For some languages it is confusing to refer to a newborn baby as a man. Do what is clear and natural in your language.
with Yahweh
Quote: אֶת יְהוָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“with help from Yahweh!” or “with Yahweh’s help!” For some languages it is more natural to put this phrase earlier in this sentence and say, “With Yahweh’s help I have obtained/acquired a son!” or “Yahweh has enabled/helped me to obtain/get a son!” Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 4:2
Then she continued on to bear
Quote: וַתֹּ֣סֶף לָלֶ֔דֶת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“Then she/Eve also gave birth to” or “After that, she/Eve gave birth to”. The Hebrew text is ambiguous here. Cain and Abel may have been twins, or Abel may have been born sometime later after Eve became pregnant again. If possible, translate verse 2 in a way that allows for either interpretation. Also, consider whether it is better in your language to use a pronoun or a noun to refer to Eve here.
his brother
Quote: אֶת אָחִ֖יו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship
“his/Cain’s brother” or “another baby boy, who was his/Cain’s brother”. Some languages have a specific term for “younger brother” that can be used here. Do what is best in your language.
Abel
Quote: אֶת הָ֑בֶל (1)“whom they named Abel.” or “whose name was Abel.”
Now Abel became
Quote: וַֽיְהִי הֶ֨בֶל֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-background
“Now when the boys had grown up, Abel” or “When they grew up, Abel”. This sentence introduces background information for what happens next. Consider what is the best way to begin this sentence in your language. Also, It is implied here that the boys had grown up to be adults. If necessary, you could make that explicit in your translation.
a keeper of flock{s
Quote: רֹ֣עֵה צֹ֔אן (1)“became/was a keeper/herder of flocks/sheep,” or “became/was a shepherd,” or “raised sheep and goats,” A flock can be a large group of sheep or goats, or a mixture of both.
and Cain
Quote: וְקַ֕יִן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast
“whereas/but Cain”. Consider what is the best way in your language to contrast Cain and his work with Abel and his work.
became a worker of the ground
Quote: הָיָ֖ה עֹבֵ֥ד אֲדָמָֽה (1)“became/was a worker/tiller/farmer of the ground/soil.” or “became/was a crop farmer.” or “grew food crops.” Cain raised crops, not animals. See how you translated a similar phrase (“work the ground”) in Gen 2:5.
Genesis 4:3
And it happened in the course of days
Quote: וַֽיְהִ֖י מִקֵּ֣ץ יָמִ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent
“Then one day it happened that” or “As time went on/by, one day”. These phrases introduce an important new event. Consider what is the best way to do that in your language.
that Cain brought
Quote: וַיָּבֵ֨א קַ֜יִן (1)“Cain offered/gave”
some of the fruit of the ground
Quote: מִפְּרִ֧י הָֽאֲדָמָ֛ה (1)“some of the crops that he had raised/grown in his fields” or “some of the edible plants that he had harvested from his farmland/fields”. The word “fruit” is general here and refers to any edible plant or crop that grows as the result of being cultivated. Make sure that is clear in your translation.
as} an offering to Yahweh
Quote: מִנְחָ֖ה לַֽיהוָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-key-terms
“to Yahweh as an offering/gift/sacrifice to honor/worship him.” The term “offering” refers to something that is given.
Genesis 4:4
And Abel also brought
Quote: וְהֶ֨בֶל הֵבִ֥יא גַם (1)“Abel also brought/offered/gave an offering/gift/sacrifice to Yahweh, but what he offered/gave was” or “But Abel offered/gave to Yahweh”. There is a contrast between Abel and Cain and between their offerings.
some of the firstborn of his flock{s
Quote: מִבְּכֹר֥וֹת צֹאנ֖וֹ (1)“some of the firstborn animals from his flocks/sheep”. See how you translated “flocks” in verse 2.
and some of their fat
Quote: וּמֵֽחֶלְבֵהֶ֑ן (1)“and/including some of the fat portions of the meat.” or “and/including some of their best parts.” or “and/including the fattest/best parts of the animals/meat.” In that culture, fat was considered one of the best parts of an animal to eat. If that is different from how fat is viewed in your language area, that information could be put in a footnote.
And Yahweh looked {favorably} on
Quote: וַיִּ֣שַׁע יְהוָ֔ה אֶל (1)“Yahweh was pleased/happy with” or “Yahweh accepted”
Abel and his offering
Quote: הֶ֖בֶל וְאֶל מִנְחָתֽוֹ (1)“Abel and his gift/sacrifice.” or “Abel and what he offered/gave to him.”
Genesis 4:5
But he did not look {favorably} on Cain
Quote: וְאֶל קַ֥יִן & לֹ֣א שָׁעָ֑ה (1)“But he/Yahweh was not pleased/happy with Cain” or “However, he/Yahweh did not accept Cain”. See how you translated “looked favorably on” in verse 4.
and his offering
Quote: וְאֶל מִנְחָת֖וֹ (1)“and/or his gift/sacrifice.” or “and/or what he offered/gave to him.”
So Cain burned with intense anger
Quote: וַיִּ֤חַר לְקַ֨יִן֙ מְאֹ֔ד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“So Cain was/became/felt extremely angry,” Many languages have a similar idiom that fits well here. Do what is best in your language.
and his face fell
Quote: וַֽיִּפְּל֖וּ פָּנָֽיו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“and his face showed that he was angry/upset.” or “and he frowned/scowled.” or “and his face showed it.”
Genesis 4:6
Then Yahweh said to Cain
Quote: וַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל קָ֑יִן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“Then Yahweh asked Cain/him,” The way you translate this quote margin should fit with the way that you translated the following three rhetorical questions.
Why are you burning with anger? And why is your face fallen
Quote: לָ֚מָּה חָ֣רָה לָ֔ךְ וְלָ֖מָּה נָפְל֥וּ פָנֶֽיךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
“Why are you so angry? And why are you frowning/scowling?” or “There is no need/reason for you to be angry and frowning/scowling.” God is using these rhetorical questions to correct Cain. Consider what is the best way to communicate that in your language. Also see how you translated the idioms “burned with … anger” and “face fell” in verse 5.
Genesis 4:7
If you do right
Quote: אִם תֵּיטִיב֙ (1)“If you do what is right,”
will {you} not {be} accepted
Quote: הֲל֤וֹא & שְׂאֵ֔ת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
“you know that you will be accepted by me.” or “you know that I will be pleased with you and your offering/gift too.” or “I will accept you and your offering/gift too.” God uses this rhetorical question here to remind Cain of something that he already knew. Consider what is the best way to do that in your language.
But if you do not do right
Quote: וְאִם֙ לֹ֣א תֵיטִ֔יב (1)“But if you don’t do what is right,” or “But if you do what is wrong,”
sin is crouching
Quote: חַטָּ֣את רֹבֵ֑ץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
“then sin is like a fierce/dangerous animal that is crouching/waiting” or “then sin will be crouching/waiting like a fierce/wild animal”. In verse 7 sin is personified, that is, it is treated as if it were alive, like a lion or some other fierce animal that wants to attack Cain. Some languages can do the same thing. Other languages cannot do that and must say something like: “then you are in great danger of being tempted to sin, but you must resist and not give in.”
at the door
Quote: לַפֶּ֖תַח (1)“outside your door to attack you,” or “outside the door of your heart to attack/tempt you,”
and its desire {is} for you
Quote: וְאֵלֶ֨יךָ֙ תְּשׁ֣וּקָת֔וֹ (1)“It/Sin desires/wants to control/destroy you,” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
but you must rule over it
Quote: וְאַתָּ֖ה תִּמְשָׁל בּֽוֹ (1)“but you must master/control it so that you do not sin.” or “but you must keep/prevent it from controlling/destroying you.” or “but you must keep/prevent it from doing that.”
Genesis 4:8
Then Cain spoke
Quote: וַיֹּ֥אמֶר קַ֖יִן (1)“But after that, Cain said” or “Later Cain spoke/talked”. After God spoke to Cain, we do not know how long Cain waited before he spoke to Abel; it may have been a few hours or a few days.
to Abel his brother
Quote: אֶל הֶ֣בֶל אָחִ֑יו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants
“to/with his brother Abel.” This sentence is what the Hebrew text has. Instead of that text, some ancient manuscripts and translations (including the Samaritan Pentateuch, Septuagint, Latin Vulgate, and Syriac) and many modern translations have: “Then Cain said to Abel his brother, “Let’s go out to the field and work together.” ” or “Then Cain invited/asked his brother Abel to go out to the field with him to work.” Some translation teams follow the way this verse is translated in a well-known translation, such as in the national language or in a neighboring language. Decide what to do in your translation. The textual variant that you do not use in your translation could be put in a footnote.
And it happened while they were in the field
Quote: וַֽיְהִי֙ בִּהְיוֹתָ֣ם בַּשָּׂדֶ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“Then/So they went out to the field to work together, and/but while they were there,” For some languages it is necessary to make explicit that Cain and Abel actually went to the field. Do what is best in your language.
then Cain rose up against
Quote: וַיָּ֥קָם קַ֛יִן אֶל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“Cain attacked”
Abel his brother
Quote: הֶ֣בֶל אָחִ֑יו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“his own brother Abel” or “his own brother” or “him”. The Hebrew text keeps repeating the phrase “Abel his brother” to emphasize the seriousness of Cain’s crime. Consider what is the best way to do that in your language. See how you translated “brother” in verse 2.
and killed him
Quote: וַיַּהַרְגֵֽהוּ (1)“and murdered him.”
Genesis 4:9
Then Yahweh said to Cain
Quote: וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ אֶל קַ֔יִן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“Then/Later Yahweh asked Cain,”
Where {is} Abel your brother
Quote: אֵ֖י הֶ֣בֶל אָחִ֑יךָ (1)“Where is your brother Abel?” See how you translated “Abel … brother” in verse 8.
And he replied
Quote: וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“Then He/Cain said/replied to him,” or “He/Cain answered him,” or “He/Cain responded/retorted,” Cain is answering Yahweh rudely. Consider what is the best way to translate this quote margin in your language, including whether or not to use a conjunction here.
I do not know
Quote: לֹ֣א יָדַ֔עְתִּי (1)“I don’t know where he is.” or “How should I know that?”
Am I my brother’s keeper
Quote: הֲשֹׁמֵ֥ר אָחִ֖י אָנֹֽכִי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
“Am I my brother’s guardian/caretaker?” or “Am I in charge of my brother?” or “Is it my job/responsibility to take care of my brother?” or “It’s not my job/responsibility to keep track of my brother!” Cain uses this rhetorical question to support the lie that he just told. His response to God is rude and disrespectful. Consider whether or not a rhetorical question communicates that here in your language.
Genesis 4:10
Then he said
Quote: וַיֹּ֖אמֶר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“Then Yahweh asked/exclaimed,” Make sure that your translation of this phrase refers to Yahweh, not Cain.
What have you done
Quote: מֶ֣ה עָשִׂ֑יתָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
“What you have done is very horrible/terrible!” or “You have done a horrible/terrible thing!” God uses this rhetorical question to condemn what Cain had done. Consider whether or not a rhetorical question works well here in your language.
The voice of your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground
Quote: ק֚וֹל דְּמֵ֣י אָחִ֔יךָ צֹעֲקִ֥ים אֵלַ֖י מִן הָֽאֲדָמָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
“Your brother’s blood is calling out to me from the ground to avenge him!” or “Your brother’s blood on the ground is like a voice/person calling out to me for justice/revenge!” or “I see your brother’s blood on the ground, and/so I must judge/punish you for killing/murdering him!” In the Hebrew text, blood is personified, as if it had a voice or could cry out like a person does. If it is not possible to do that in your language, you could say that his brother’s blood is “like a voice …” or you could translate this sentence without personification.
Genesis 4:11
So now
Quote: וְעַתָּ֖ה (1)“So/Therefore from now on” or “Because of what you did,”
you are cursed
Quote: אָר֣וּר אָ֑תָּה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
“you are cursed by me” or “I am cursing you”. Consider what is the best way to translate this passive clause in your language. Also see how you translated this in Gen 3:14.
from the ground
Quote: מִן הָֽאֲדָמָה֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“so that you will not be able to grow food from the ground/soil,” or “so that you are banned/banished from working/farming the ground/soil,”
which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֣ר פָּצְתָ֣ה אֶת פִּ֔יהָ לָקַ֛חַת אֶת דְּמֵ֥י אָחִ֖יךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
“which is covered/soaked with blood from your brother” or “which is where your brother’s blood spilled/poured out”. In the Hebrew text, “the ground” is personified as if it had a mouth to open. If that is not possible in your language, you could follow one of the alternates above.
from your hand
Quote: מִיָּדֶֽךָ (1)“when/after you killed/murdered him.”
Genesis 4:12
When
Quote: כִּ֤י (1)“Whenever” or “As a result, whenever”
you work the ground
Quote: תַֽעֲבֹד֙ אֶת הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה (1)“you try to cultivate/farm the ground/soil,” See how you translated “work the ground” in Gen 2:5 and 3:23; also see similar phrases in 4:2, 11.
it will not continue to yield its strength for you
Quote: לֹֽא תֹסֵ֥ף תֵּת כֹּחָ֖הּ לָ֑ךְ (1)“it will no longer produce/grow good crops for you.” or “it will not produce/grow enough food/harvest for you anymore.”
You will be
Quote: תִּֽהְיֶ֥ה (1)“From now on, you will” or “and you will also”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
You will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth
Quote: נָ֥ע וָנָ֖ד תִּֽהְיֶ֥ה בָאָֽרֶץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys
“be a fugitive/outcast who wanders around on the earth without a permanent home.” or “be a wandering/homeless fugitive/outcast on the earth.” or “be rejected/shunned by people so that you have no permanent home and have to move from place to place.” The phrase “a fugitive and a wanderer” forms a hendiadys. Consider what is the best way to translate that phrase in your language.
Genesis 4:13
Then Cain said to Yahweh
Quote: וַיֹּ֥אמֶר קַ֖יִן אֶל יְהוָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“But Cain replied to Yahweh/him,” or “Cain said/replied,”
My punishment {is} greater
Quote: גָּד֥וֹל עֲוֺנִ֖י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
“Your punishment of me will cause me more suffering” or “You are punishing me more severely/harshly”
than I can bear
Quote: מִנְּשֹֽׂא (1)“than I can endure.” or “than I am able to live/cope with.”
Genesis 4:14
Behold
Quote: הֵן֩ (1)“Look/Listen,” This term emphasizes what Cain says next. See how you translated this term in Gen 1:29 and 3:22. It may be necessary to translate it in different ways, depending on the context.
today you are driving me
Quote: גֵּרַ֨שְׁתָּ אֹתִ֜י הַיּ֗וֹם (1)“today you are forcing me away” or “you have now banished/prevented me”. See how you translated “drove/expelled” in Gen 3:24.
from the surface of the ground
Quote: מֵעַל֙ פְּנֵ֣י הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה (1)“from farming/working/cultivating the ground/land/soil,”
and I will be hidden from your presence
Quote: וּמִפָּנֶ֖יךָ אֶסָּתֵ֑ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“and I will be separated from you.” or “and I will be far away from you.” or “and you will no longer bless me.” This clause is probably an idiom that means Cain will be cursed and no longer blessed by God.
And I will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth
Quote: וְהָיִ֜יתִי נָ֤ע וָנָד֙ בָּאָ֔רֶץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys
“I will be a fugitive/outcast who wanders around on the earth without a permanent home,” or “I will be a wandering/homeless fugitive/outcast on the earth,” See how you translated this phrase in verse 12.
and it will be {that
Quote: וְהָיָ֥ה (1)“and” or “so that”
everyone who finds me will kill me
Quote: כָל מֹצְאִ֖י יַֽהַרְגֵֽנִי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
“anyone who sees/meets me will kill me!” Cain uses hyperbole here to emphasize his strong emotion. If possible, keep this hyperbole in your translation because it helps communicate how fearful Cain was feeling.
Genesis 4:15
Then Yahweh said to him
Quote: וַיֹּ֧אמֶר ל֣וֹ יְהוָ֗ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“So/But Yahweh said/replied to him/Cain,” or “Yahweh said/replied to him/Cain,”
For that {reason
Quote: לָכֵן֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-textvariants
“In that case,” or “So then,” That is what the Hebrew text has. Instead of that text, some ancient translations (such as the Septuagint) and many modern translations have: “Not so/true.” or “That will not happen because”. The textual variant that you do not use in your translation could be put in a footnote.
anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance
Quote: כָּל הֹרֵ֣ג קַ֔יִן & יֻקָּ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“I will warn everyone that if anyone kills Cain/you, I will take vengeance/revenge on him for you” or “I will make it clear to everyone that I will take vengeance/revenge on anyone who kills you” What God says here implies that he will do something to prevent people from killing Cain; he is not just talking about punishing them if they kill him. If necessary, you could make that explicit in your translation.
seven times over
Quote: שִׁבְעָתַ֖יִם (1)“and punish him seven times more severely than I am punishing you!”
Then Yahweh put a mark on Cain
Quote: וַיָּ֨שֶׂם יְהוָ֤ה לְקַ֨יִן֙ א֔וֹת (1)“Then Yahweh/he put a special/distinguishing sign/symbol on Cain” or “Then Yahweh/he marked Cain with a special/distinguishing mark/symbol”. We do not know exactly how Yahweh marked Cain, so keep your translation of this clause general (like the Hebrew text is).
so that everyone who found him would not strike him
Quote: לְבִלְתִּ֥י הַכּוֹת אֹת֖וֹ כָּל מֹצְאֽוֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“so that anyone who saw/met him would not kill him.” or “to warn everyone who saw/met him not to kill him.” The phrase “strike him” is used here as an idiom that means “kill him”. Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 4:16
Then Cain went away
Quote: וַיֵּ֥צֵא קַ֖יִן (1)“After that, Cain went/traveled away” or “Then Cain left”
from the presence of Yahweh
Quote: מִלִּפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“from Yahweh” or “from the place where Yahweh had been talking to him”. Yahweh is everywhere, so this probably means that after talking to Yahweh, Cain left that place.
and lived
Quote: וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב (1)“and settled” or “and started living”
in the land of Nod
Quote: בְּאֶֽרֶץ נ֖וֹד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“in the land/region of/called Nod, which means “wandering,”” or “in Nod Land,” The original readers of the Hebrew text knew that the name “Nod” means “wandering”. Usually translators transliterate (copy or borrow) the name from the Hebrew text, and they might also include the meaning of the name in the text or in a footnote. If you do that here, the meaning should be similar to how you translated “wanderer” in verses 12 and 14.
east of Eden
Quote: קִדְמַת עֵֽדֶן (1)“which was east of the land/region of/called Eden.” or “which was east of Eden Land.” Consider again how you translated “the land/region of Eden” and “the Garden of Eden” in the book of Genesis. See Gen 2:8, 10, 15; 3:23-24; 4:16.
Genesis 4:17
Then Cain knew his wife
Quote: וַיֵּ֤דַע קַ֨יִן֙ אֶת אִשְׁתּ֔וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
“Then Cain had marital relations with his wife,” or “Then Cain slept with his wife,” See how you translated this idiom in Gen 4:1.
and she conceived and bore
Quote: וַתַּ֖הַר וַתֵּ֣לֶד (1)“so that she became pregnant and gave birth to”. See how you translated this phrase in Gen 4:1.
Enoch
Quote: אֶת חֲנ֑וֹךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“a son named Enoch.” or “a son they named Enoch.” or “a son whose name was Enoch.”
And he was building a city
Quote: וַֽיְהִי֙ בֹּ֣נֶה עִ֔יר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“And/Now at/during that time, Cain was in the process of building/constructing a city,” Make sure that your translation of this clause refers to Cain, not Enoch.
so he called the name of the city
Quote: וַיִּקְרָא֙ שֵׁ֣ם הָעִ֔יר (1)“so he called/named the/that city”
after the name of his son Enoch
Quote: כְּשֵׁ֖ם בְּנ֥וֹ חֲנֽוֹךְ (1)“after his son Enoch.” or “Enoch, after his son.” or “Enoch, the same name as his son.”
Genesis 4:18
Then to Enoch was born
Quote: וַיִּוָּלֵ֤ד לַֽחֲנוֹךְ֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases
“Later on, Enoch fathered/had” or “When Enoch grew up, he fathered/had” or “Enoch was the father of”. In this record of Cain’s descendants, It is implied that many years have gone by between each descendant growing up, getting married, and having his own children. Decide the best way to translate this genealogical record in your language.
Irad
Quote: אֶת עִירָ֔ד (1)“a son named Irad,” or “a son whose name was Irad,”
and Irad fathered
Quote: וְעִירָ֕ד יָלַ֖ד (1)“Then Irad fathered/had” or “When Irad grew up, he fathered/had” or “Irad was the father of”. Consider whether or not it is best in your language to begin a new sentence with each new generation that is mentioned in this verse.
Mehujael
Quote: אֶת מְחֽוּיָאֵ֑ל (1)“a son named Mehujael,” or “a son whose name was Mehujael,”
and Mehujael fathered
Quote: וּמְחִיּיָאֵ֗ל יָלַד֙ (1)“Then Mehujael fathered/had” or “When Mehujael grew up, he fathered/had” or “Mehujael was the father of”
Methushael
Quote: אֶת מְת֣וּשָׁאֵ֔ל (1)“a son named Methushael,” or “a son whose name was Methushael,”
and Methushael fathered
Quote: וּמְתוּשָׁאֵ֖ל יָלַ֥ד (1)“Then Methushael fathered/had” or “When Methushael grew up, he fathered/had” or “Methushael was the father of”
Lamech
Quote: אֶת לָֽמֶךְ (1)“a son named Lamech.” or “a son whose name was Lamech.”
Genesis 4:19
Then Lamech took for himself two wives
Quote: וַיִּֽקַּֽח ל֥וֹ לֶ֖מֶךְ שְׁתֵּ֣י נָשִׁ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“Then Lamech grew up, and he chose two women to be his wives.” or “When Lamech grew up, he married two wives/women.” In this context, the phrase “took for himself” is an idiom that means “married”. Consider whether or not your language has a similar idiom.
The name of the one {was} Adah
Quote: שֵׁ֤ם הָֽאַחַת֙ עָדָ֔ה (1)“His first wife’s name was Adah,” or “His first wife was named Adah,”
and the name of the second {was} Zillah
Quote: וְשֵׁ֥ם הַשֵּׁנִ֖ית צִלָּֽה (1)“and his second wife’s name was Zillah.” or “and his second/other wife was named Zillah.”
Genesis 4:20
And Adah bore
Quote: וַתֵּ֥לֶד עָדָ֖ה (1)“Adah gave birth to” or “Adah had”
Jabal
Quote: אֶת יָבָ֑ל (1)“a son named Jabal.” or “a son whose name was Jabal.”
He was
Quote: ה֣וּא הָיָ֔ה (1)“He/who was/became” or “He/who grew up and became”. Consider whether or not it is best in your language to begin a new sentence here.
the father of {those} who live
Quote: אֲבִ֕י יֹשֵׁ֥ב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“the ancestor/first of all those/people who”. The phrase “father of” is used here as an idiom that means Jabal was the first person to do these things. He originated this way of living, and many people after him followed his example.
those} who live {in} tents
Quote: יֹשֵׁ֥ב אֹ֖הֶל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
“are tent dwellers” or “live in portable shelters”. A tent is a portable living place that has walls made of cloth or animal skins and is held up by poles. Tents are used by people who need to take their home with them as they move from place to place, often to find food and water for themselves and their livestock. If people in your language area are not familiar with tents, you could include some of the above information in a footnote.
and own livestock
Quote: וּמִקְנֶֽה (1)“and raise livestock/animals for a living.” The term “livestock” includes all kinds of domestic animals, such as cows, sheep, goats, camels, and donkeys. See how you translated “livestock” in Gen 1:24-26; 2:20, 3:14.
Genesis 4:21
And the name of his brother {was} Jubal
Quote: וְשֵׁ֥ם אָחִ֖יו יוּבָ֑ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-kinship
“His/Jabal’s brother’s name was Jubal.” or “Jabal had a brother named Jubal.” Jubal was probably younger than Jabal. See how you translated “brother” in verse 2.
He was
Quote: ה֣וּא הָיָ֔ה (1)“He/who was/became” or “He/Jubal grew up and was/became”
the father of all
Quote: אֲבִ֕י כָּל (1)“the ancestor/first of all those/people who”. See how you translated a similar phrase in verse 20.
who play harps and flutes
Quote: תֹּפֵ֥שׂ כִּנּ֖וֹר וְעוּגָֽב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
“play musical instruments called harps/lyres and flutes/pipes.” or “play stringed instruments and wind instruments.”
Genesis 4:22
And Zillah
Quote: וְצִלָּ֣ה (1)“Zillah, who was Lamech’s other wife,” or “Lamech’s other wife Zillah”
also bore
Quote: גַם & יָֽלְדָה֙ (1)“also became pregnant and gave birth to a son, and they named him”
Tubal Cain
Quote: אֶת תּ֣וּבַל קַ֔יִן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“Tubal-Cain” or “Tubal-cain” or “Tubalcain”. Be consistent with how you spell this name both times in verse 22.
who forged
Quote: לֹטֵ֕שׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“who/He was the first person to forge/make” or “He was the first blacksmith and forged/made” or “He was the ancestor/first of all those/people who forge/make”. It is probably implied from verses 20-21 that Tubal Cain, like his brothers, was the father/ancestor or first of all those who had his skill.
all {kinds} of tools out of bronze and iron
Quote: כָּל חֹרֵ֥שׁ נְחֹ֖שֶׁת וּבַרְזֶ֑ל (1)“all kinds of tools and other things out of bronze/brass and iron.” or “all kinds of bronze/brass and iron things/tools.” The word “tools” that is used here in the Hebrew text is general and can include farming tools and weapons and other things that are made out of metal.
And the sister of Tubal Cain {was} Naamah
Quote: וַֽאֲח֥וֹת תּֽוּבַל קַ֖יִן נַֽעֲמָֽה (1)“Tubal Cain had a sister named Naamah.” or “Tubal Cain had a sister whose name was Naamah.”
Genesis 4:23
And Lamech said
Quote: וַיֹּ֨אמֶר לֶ֜מֶךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent
“One time, Lamech said proudly” or “One day, Lamech bragged/boasted”. Consider what is the best way in your language to introduce this new event.
to his wives, Adah and Zillah
Quote: לְנָשָׁ֗יו עָדָ֤ה וְצִלָּה֙ (1)“to his two wives, “Adah and Zillah,” Be consistent with how you spelled these names in verses 19-20, 22-23.
hear my voice
Quote: שְׁמַ֣עַן קוֹלִ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“listen to what I have to say.” or “listen to what I am going to tell you.” The phrase “my voice” refers here to the words being said. Consider what is the best way to translate this figure of speech in your language.
Wives of Lamech, give ear to my word{s
Quote: נְשֵׁ֣י לֶ֔מֶךְ הַאְזֵ֖נָּה אִמְרָתִ֑י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
“My wives, listen to this:” or “My wives, listen to me carefully.” This clause forms a parallelism with the previous clause and emphasizes what Lamech says next. Also, consider whether or not your language has an idiom that is similar to “give ear to”.
For I killed a man for my wound, even a young man for my bruise
Quote: כִּ֣י אִ֤ישׁ הָרַ֨גְתִּי֙ לְפִצְעִ֔י וְיֶ֖לֶד לְחַבֻּרָתִֽי (1)The Hebrew text is ambiguous here. It could mean: (1) “I killed a man for wounding me; he was a young man who bruised/injured me!” or “I killed a young man for wounding/injuring me! In fact, I killed that man just because he bruised/injured me!” or (2) “I killed a man for wounding me, and also a young man for bruising/injuring me.” or “A man wounded me, so I killed him. A young man injured me, so I killed him too!” According to the first interpretation, Lamech refers to one man he killed. According to the second interpretation, he refers to two men he killed.
Genesis 4:24
If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech
Quote: כִּ֥י שִׁבְעָתַ֖יִם יֻקַּם קָ֑יִן וְלֶ֖מֶךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
“Since God has promised to avenge Cain seven times, then” or “Cain is avenged by God seven times, but” or “God will avenge Cain seven times, but”. Consider what is the best way to translate this passive clause in your language.
then Lamech {is avenged} seventy-seven times
Quote: וְלֶ֖מֶךְ שִׁבְעִ֥ים וְשִׁבְעָֽה (1)“I, Lamech avenge myself seventy-seven/77 times!” or “I avenge myself seventy-seven/77 times!” Lamech is bragging in verses 23 and 24 about how severely he avenges himself. He is not saying that God will avenge him more than he will avenge Cain. Also, each translation team needs to decide how they will handle numbers in the Hebrew text so that readers will not confuse those numbers with verse numbers. For example, it may be best to use words for single and double-digit numbers in the text. Be consistent with how you spelled the name “Lamech” in verses 18-19, 23-24.
Genesis 4:25
Then Adam knew his wife again
Quote: וַיֵּ֨דַע אָדָ֥ם עוֹד֙ אֶת אִשְׁתּ֔וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
“Then Adam slept with his wife Eve again,” or “Again Adam had marital relations with his wife Eve,” See how you translated the idiom “knew” in 4:1, 17.
and she bore a son
Quote: וַתֵּ֣לֶד בֵּ֔ן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
“and she gave birth to a son,” or “so that she conceived and bore/had a son,” or “with the result that she became pregnant and gave birth to a son,”
and she called his name
Quote: וַתִּקְרָ֥א אֶת שְׁמ֖וֹ (1)“and she named him” or “and she gave him the name”. See how you translated a similar phrase in Gen 3:20.
Seth
Quote: שֵׁ֑ת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“Seth, which means “appointed/granted/given,””
because {she had said
Quote: כִּ֣י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“She named him that because when he was born, she had said/exclaimed,” What follows is a direct quote of what Eve said that gave Seth his name. Make sure that is clear in your language. Also consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
God has appointed for me
Quote: שָֽׁת לִ֤י אֱלֹהִים֙ (1)“God has granted/given to me”. If you include the meaning of Seth’s name in your translation or in a footnote, make sure it matches the way you translate “appointed” here, so that it is clear why he was given that name.
another offspring
Quote: זֶ֣רַע אַחֵ֔ר (1)“another child”
in place of Abel
Quote: תַּ֣חַת הֶ֔בֶל (1)“to replace Abel,” or “to take the place of Abel,”
since Cain killed him
Quote: כִּ֥י הֲרָג֖וֹ קָֽיִן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“whom Cain killed/murdered.” For some language it is necessary to put this phrase first in this clause (so that events are in the order that they happened) and say, “Since Cain killed Abel, God granted me another child to replace him.” Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 4:26
And to Seth also a son was born
Quote: וּלְשֵׁ֤ת גַּם & יֻלַּד בֵּ֔ן (1)“Later on, Seth also fathered/had a son,” The word order in the Hebrew text here emphasizes Seth. Do what is natural in your language.
and he called his name Enosh
Quote: וַיִּקְרָ֥א אֶת שְׁמ֖וֹ אֱנ֑וֹשׁ (1)“and he named him Enosh.” or “whom he named Enosh.”
Then
Quote: אָ֣ז (1)“At/During that time” or “That is when”
people} began to call on the name of Yahweh
Quote: הוּחַ֔ל לִקְרֹ֖א בְּשֵׁ֥ם יְהוָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“people began to address God by his name Yahweh as they worshiped him.” or “people began to worship/praise Yahweh by name.” or “people first called Yahweh by name in their prayers and worship.” The phrase “call on the name of Yahweh” is an idiom that refers to prayers, worship, and praise in which people addressed God directly by his personal name Yahweh. It also implies that they were trusting in him to help and guide them.
Genesis 5
Genesis 5:1
This {is
Quote: זֶ֣ה (1)“Here is” or “What follows is”
the written account of
Quote: סֵ֔פֶר (1)“the written family record/history of/about” or “the family record of”
the generations of Adam
Quote: תּוֹלְדֹ֖ת אָדָ֑ם (1)“of/about Adam and his descendants:” or “of/about Adam’s family-line/genealogy:”
On the day God created man{kind}, he made him
Quote: בְּי֗וֹם בְּרֹ֤א אֱלֹהִים֙ אָדָ֔ם & עָשָׂ֥ה אֹתֽוֹ (1)“On the day that/when God created/made human beings, he made them”. See how you translated “created” in Gen 1:1, 27; 2:4, and “man” in Gen 1:26-27.
in the likeness of God
Quote: בִּדְמ֥וּת אֱלֹהִ֖ים (1)“in his own likeness.” or “to be like himself.” God created mankind to be like himself in certain ways, but not to be exactly like him in every way (Gen 1:26-27).
Genesis 5:2
He created them male and female
Quote: זָכָ֥ר וּנְקֵבָ֖ה בְּרָאָ֑ם (1)“He also created them to be male and female,” See how you translated this clause in Gen 1:27.
and he blessed them
Quote: וַיְבָ֣רֶךְ אֹתָ֗ם (1)“He blessed them” or “He said/promised that he would make them prosper/flourish”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here. Also see how you translated “blessed” in Gen 1:22, 28. It may be necessary to translate this term in different ways, depending on the context.
and called their name
Quote: וַיִּקְרָ֤א אֶת שְׁמָם֙ (1)“and called/named them”. See how you translated the phrase “called … name” in Gen 4:17, 25, 26.
man{kind
Quote: אָדָ֔ם (1)“human beings”. Be consistent here with how you translated this term in verse 1.
on the day they were created
Quote: בְּי֖וֹם הִבָּֽרְאָֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“on the same day that they were created by him.” or “on the same day that he created them.” Consider what is the best way to translate this passive clause in your language. Also, for some languages it is clearer or more natural to put this clause earlier in this verse and say, “and on the same day that he created them, he blessed them and called/named them human beings.” Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 5:3
And Adam lived 130 years, then he fathered {a son
Quote: וַֽיְחִ֣י אָדָ֗ם שְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים וּמְאַת֙ שָׁנָ֔ה וַיּ֥וֹלֶד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered/had a son” or “When Adam was 130 years old, he fathered/had a son”. Each translation team needs to decide how they are going to write large numbers in the Bible. Many teams use numerals, for example, “130” here in verse 3, especially if the target language has a complicated counting system. Other teams prefer to use words, for example, “one hundred thirty” here. Be consistent in what you do throughout your translation.
in his own likeness, according to his image
Quote: בִּדְמוּת֖וֹ כְּצַלְמ֑וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
“who was a human being like himself and looked like him,” or “who was like him in many ways,” These two phrases have similar meanings and emphasize that Seth was similar to Adam in many ways. See how you translated similar phrases in Gen 1:26.
and he called his name Seth
Quote: וַיִּקְרָ֥א אֶת שְׁמ֖וֹ שֵֽׁת (1)“and he/Adam named him Seth.” or “Adam named his/that son Seth.” For some languages it is more natural to begin a new sentence here. Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 5:4
And the days of Adam after he fathered Seth were
Quote: וַיִּֽהְי֣וּ יְמֵי אָדָ֗ם אַֽחֲרֵי֙ הוֹלִיד֣וֹ אֶת שֵׁ֔ת (1)“After he/Adam fathered/had Seth, Adam/he lived” or “After Seth’s birth, Adam lived” or “After Seth was born, Adam lived”
800 years
Quote: שְׁמֹנֶ֥ה מֵאֹ֖ת שָׁנָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“another 800 years,” or “800 more years,” For some languages, it may be more natural to change the clause order of this sentence and say, “Adam lived 800 more years after Seth was born …” Do what is best in your language throughout this chapter.
and he fathered
Quote: וַיּ֥וֹלֶד (1)“and he also fathered/had” or “He/Adam also fathered/had” or “He/Adam was also the father of”. This clause probably refers to all the other children that Adam had, including those who were born before and after Seth was born. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
other} sons and daughters
Quote: בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֽוֹת (1)“other sons as well as daughters.”
Genesis 5:5
So all the days of Adam that he lived were 930 years
Quote: וַיִּֽהְי֞וּ כָּל יְמֵ֤י אָדָם֙ אֲשֶׁר חַ֔י תְּשַׁ֤ע מֵאוֹת֙ שָׁנָ֔ה וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֖ים שָׁנָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“So Adam/he lived a total of 930 years,” or “All together Adam/he lived 930 years,” Make sure that the name “Adam” is spelled consistently in your translation of verses 1, 3-5.
and he died
Quote: וַיָּמֹֽת (1)“and then he died.” or “before he died.” Notice that if you use the second alternative here (“before he died”), a comma is not used before it (in English). Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 5:6
And Seth lived 105 years
Quote: וַֽיְחִי־שֵׁ֕ת חָמֵ֥שׁ שָׁנִ֖ים וּמְאַ֣ת שָׁנָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-background
“When/After Seth had lived 105 years,” or “When/After Seth was 105 years old,” The events in verse 6 happened before Adam died (verse 5). So if you use a conjunction here, make sure your translation does not sound like verse 6 happened after Adam died.
then he fathered Enosh
Quote: וַיּ֖וֹלֶד אֶת אֱנֽוֹשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“he fathered/had a son named Enosh.” or “he fathered/had a son he/they named Enosh.” or “he fathered/had a son whose name was Enosh.” You could make it explicit in your translation or in a footnote that Enosh was a son. The same thing is true for the rest of the children whose births are mentioned in this chapter (who were all sons).
Genesis 5:7
Then after he fathered Enosh, Seth lived
Quote: וַֽיְחִי שֵׁ֗ת אַֽחֲרֵי֙ הוֹלִיד֣וֹ אֶת אֱנ֔וֹשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“After he/Seth had Enosh, Seth/he lived” or “After Enosh’s birth, Seth lived” or “After Enosh was born, Seth lived”. In fact, throughout chapter 5, make sure it is clear in your translation whom each pronoun refers to.
807 years
Quote: שֶׁ֣בַע שָׁנִ֔ים וּשְׁמֹנֶ֥ה מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה (1)“another 807 years,” or “807 more years,”
and he fathered
Quote: וַיּ֥וֹלֶד (1)“and he also fathered/had” or “He/Seth also fathered/had” or “He/Seth was also the father of”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here. See how you translated this phrase and the following one in verse 4.
other} sons and daughters
Quote: בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֽוֹת (1)“other sons as well as daughters.”
Genesis 5:8
So all the days of Seth were 912 years
Quote: וַיִּֽהְיוּ֙ כָּל יְמֵי שֵׁ֔ת שְׁתֵּ֤ים עֶשְׂרֵה֙ שָׁנָ֔ה וּתְשַׁ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“So Seth/he lived a total of 912 years,” or “All together Seth/he lived 912 years,” Be consistent with how you spell the name “Seth” in the book of Genesis. See Gen 4:25-26; 5:3-4, 6-8.
and he died
Quote: וַיָּמֹֽת (1)“and then he died.” or “before he died.”
Genesis 5:9
And Enosh lived ninety years
Quote: וַֽיְחִ֥י אֱנ֖וֹשׁ תִּשְׁעִ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-background
“When/After Enosh had lived ninety/90 years,” or “When/After Enosh was ninety/90 years old,” See how you translated the beginning of a similar new paragraph in this genealogy at verse 6.
then he fathered Kenan
Quote: וַיּ֖וֹלֶד אֶת קֵינָֽן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“he fathered/had a son named Kenan.” or “he fathered/had a son whose name was Kenan.”
Genesis 5:10
Then after he fathered Kenan, Enosh lived
Quote: וַֽיְחִ֣י אֱנ֗וֹשׁ אַֽחֲרֵי֙ הוֹלִיד֣וֹ אֶת קֵינָ֔ן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“After he/Enosh had Kenan, Enosh/he lived” or “After Kenan’s birth, Enosh lived” or “After Kenan was born, Enosh lived”. See how you translated a similar sentence in verse 7, and see the notes about that there.
815 years
Quote: חֲמֵ֤שׁ עֶשְׂרֵה֙ שָׁנָ֔ה וּשְׁמֹנֶ֥ה מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה (1)“another 815 years,” or “815 more years,”
and he fathered
Quote: וַיּ֥וֹלֶד (1)“and he also fathered/had” or “He/Enosh also fathered/had” or “He/Enosh was also the father of”
other} sons and daughters
Quote: בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֽוֹת (1)“other sons as well as daughters.”
Genesis 5:11
So all the days of Enosh were 905 years
Quote: וַיִּֽהְיוּ֙ כָּל יְמֵ֣י אֱנ֔וֹשׁ חָמֵ֣שׁ שָׁנִ֔ים וּתְשַׁ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“So Enosh/he lived a total of 905 years,” or “All together Enosh/he lived 905 years,” Make sure that the name “Enosh” is spelled consistently in your translation of verses 6-7, 9-11.
and he died
Quote: וַיָּמֹֽת (1)“and then he died.” or “before he died.”
Genesis 5:12
And Kenan lived seventy years
Quote: וַֽיְחִ֥י קֵינָ֖ן שִׁבְעִ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“When/After Kenan had lived seventy years,” or “When/After Kenan was seventy years old,” Throughout this chapter, be consistent with how you have decided to handle numbers in the Bible. For example, many translation teams use words for single and double-digit numbers, but use numerals for larger numbers. This strategy helps prevent confusion with verse numbers. This is especially true in translations that use a large font size for verse numbers so that people doing group Bible study can easily be in the same verse together.
then he fathered Mahalalel
Quote: וַיּ֖וֹלֶד אֶת מַֽהֲלַלְאֵֽל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“he fathered/had a son named Mahalalel.” or “he fathered/had a son whose name was Mahalalel.”
Genesis 5:13
Then after he fathered Mahalalel, Kenan lived
Quote: וַיְחִ֣י קֵינָ֗ן אַחֲרֵי֙ הוֹלִיד֣וֹ אֶת מַֽהֲלַלְאֵ֔ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“After he/Kenan had Mahalalel, Kenan/he lived” or “After Mahalalel’s birth, Kenan lived” or “After Mahalalel was born, Kenan lived”
840 years
Quote: אַרְבָּעִ֣ים שָׁנָ֔ה וּשְׁמֹנֶ֥ה מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה (1)“another 840 years,” or “840 more years,”
and he fathered
Quote: וַיּ֥וֹלֶד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“and he also fathered/had” or “He/Kenan also fathered/had” or “He/Kenan was also the father of”. Consider what is the best way in your language to refer to Kenan at this point in the paragraph.
other} sons and daughters
Quote: בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֽוֹת (1)“other sons as well as daughters.”
Genesis 5:14
So all the days of Kenan were 910 years
Quote: וַיִּֽהְיוּ֙ כָּל יְמֵ֣י קֵינָ֔ן עֶ֣שֶׂר שָׁנִ֔ים וּתְשַׁ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“So Kenan/he lived a total of 910 years,” or “All together Kenan/he lived 910 years,” Make sure that the name “Kenan” is spelled consistently in your translation of verses 9-10, 12-14.
and he died
Quote: וַיָּמֹֽת (1)“and then he died.” or “before he died.”
Genesis 5:15
And Mahalalel lived sixty-five years
Quote: וַֽיְחִ֣י מַֽהֲלַלְאֵ֔ל חָמֵ֥שׁ שָׁנִ֖ים וְשִׁשִּׁ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה (1)“When/After Mahalalel had lived sixty-five/65 years,” or “When/After Mahalalel was sixty-five/65 years old,”
then he fathered Jared
Quote: וַיּ֖וֹלֶד אֶת יָֽרֶד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“he fathered/had a son named Jared.” or “he fathered/had a son whose name was Jared.”
Genesis 5:16
Then after he fathered Jared, Mahalalel lived
Quote: וַֽיְחִ֣י מַֽהֲלַלְאֵ֗ל אַֽחֲרֵי֙ הוֹלִיד֣וֹ אֶת יֶ֔רֶד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“After he/Mahalalel fathered/had Jared, Mahalalel/he lived” or “After Jared’s birth, Mahalalel lived” or “After Jared was born, Mahalalel lived”
830 years
Quote: שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים שָׁנָ֔ה וּשְׁמֹנֶ֥ה מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה (1)“another 830 years,” or “830 more years,”
and he fathered
Quote: וַיּ֥וֹלֶד (1)“and he also fathered/had” or “He/Mahalalel also fathered/had” or “He/Mahalalel was also the father of”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
other} sons and daughters
Quote: בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֽוֹת (1)“other sons as well as daughters.”
Genesis 5:17
So all the days of Mahalalel were 895 years
Quote: וַיִּהְיוּ֙ כָּל יְמֵ֣י מַהֲלַלְאֵ֔ל חָמֵ֤שׁ וְתִשְׁעִים֙ שָׁנָ֔ה וּשְׁמֹנֶ֥ה מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“So Mahalalel/he lived a total of 895 years,” or “All together Mahalalel/he lived 895 years,” Make sure that the name “Mahalalel” is spelled consistently in your translation of verses 12-13, 15-17.
and he died
Quote: וַיָּמֹֽת (1)“and then he died.” or “before he died.”
Genesis 5:18
And Jared lived 162 years
Quote: וַֽיְחִי־יֶ֕רֶד שְׁתַּ֧יִם וְשִׁשִּׁ֛ים שָׁנָ֖ה וּמְאַ֣ת שָׁנָ֑ה (1)“When/After Jared had lived 162 years,” or “When/After Jared was 162 years old,”
then he fathered Enoch
Quote: וַיּ֖וֹלֶד אֶת חֲנֽוֹךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“he fathered/had a son named Enoch.” or “he fathered/had a son whose name was Enoch.”
Genesis 5:19
Then after he fathered Enoch, Jared lived
Quote: וַֽיְחִי יֶ֗רֶד אַֽחֲרֵי֙ הוֹלִיד֣וֹ אֶת חֲנ֔וֹךְ (1)“After he/Jared fathered/had Enoch, Jared/he lived” or “After Enoch’s birth, Jared lived” or “After Enoch was born, Jared lived”
800 years
Quote: שְׁמֹנֶ֥ה מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה (1)“another 800 years,” or “800 more years,”
and he fathered
Quote: וַיּ֥וֹלֶד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“and he also fathered/had” or “He/Jared also fathered/had” or “He/Jared was also the father of”. Consider what is the best way in your language to refer to Jared at this point in the paragraph.
other} sons and daughters
Quote: בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֽוֹת (1)“other sons as well as daughters.”
Genesis 5:20
So all the days of Jared were 962 years
Quote: וַיִּֽהְיוּ֙ כָּל יְמֵי יֶ֔רֶד שְׁתַּ֤יִם וְשִׁשִּׁים֙ שָׁנָ֔ה וּתְשַׁ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“So Jared/he lived a total of 962 years,” or “All together Jared/he lived 962 years,” Make sure that the name “Jared” is spelled consistently in your translation of verses 15-16, 18-20.
and he died
Quote: וַיָּמֹֽת (1)“and then he died.” or “before he died.”
Genesis 5:21
And Enoch lived sixty-five years
Quote: וַֽיְחִ֣י חֲנ֔וֹךְ חָמֵ֥שׁ וְשִׁשִּׁ֖ים שָׁנָ֑ה (1)“When/After Enoch had lived sixty-five/65 years,” or “When/After Enoch was sixty-five/65 years old,” Consider again how you translated double-digit numbers in verses 9, 12, 15, 21.
then he fathered Methuselah
Quote: וַיּ֖וֹלֶד אֶת מְתוּשָֽׁלַח (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“he fathered/had a son named Methuselah.” or “he fathered/had a son whose name was Methuselah.”
Genesis 5:22
after he fathered Methuselah
Quote: אַֽחֲרֵי֙ הוֹלִיד֣וֹ אֶת מְתוּשֶׁ֔לַח (1)“After he/Enoch had Methuselah,” or “After Methuselah was born,” or “After Methselah’s birth,”
Then … Enoch walked with God
Quote: וַיִּתְהַלֵּ֨ךְ חֲנ֜וֹךְ אֶת הָֽאֱלֹהִ֗ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“Enoch walked/lived closely/faithfully with God” or “Enoch lived in a close/faithful relationship with God”. The phrase “walked with” is used here as an idiom that means “lived in a close relationship with”. Consider whether or not you have a similar idiom in your language.
300 years
Quote: שְׁלֹ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה (1)“another 300 years,” or “for 300 more years,”
and he fathered
Quote: וַיּ֥וֹלֶד (1)“and he also fathered/had” or “He/Enoch also fathered/had” or “He was also the father of”
other} sons and daughters
Quote: בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֽוֹת (1)“other sons as well as daughters.”
Genesis 5:23
So all the days of Enoch were 365 years
Quote: וַיְהִ֖י כָּל יְמֵ֣י חֲנ֑וֹךְ חָמֵ֤שׁ וְשִׁשִּׁים֙ שָׁנָ֔ה וּשְׁלֹ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָֽה (1)“So Enoch/he lived a total of 365 years.” or “All together Enoch/he lived 365 years.” Make sure that the name “Enoch” is spelled consistently in your translation of verses 18-19, 21-24.
Genesis 5:24
And Enoch walked with God
Quote: וַיִּתְהַלֵּ֥ךְ חֲנ֖וֹךְ אֶת הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑ים (1)“All his life Enoch/he walked/lived in a close/faithful relationship with God, and then” or “Then while he was still living in a close relationship with God,”
and {then} he was not {there
Quote: וְאֵינֶ֕נּוּ (1)“suddenly he was not on earth anymore,” or “suddenly he was no longer on earth,” or “he suddenly disappeared from earth,”
because God took him away
Quote: כִּֽי לָקַ֥ח אֹת֖וֹ אֱלֹהִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“because God had taken him away to be with him.” It may be more natural to put this clause before the previous clause and say, “… God took him away to be with him, so he was suddenly no longer on earth.” Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 5:25
And Methuselah lived 187 years
Quote: וַיְחִ֣י מְתוּשֶׁ֔לַח שֶׁ֧בַע וּשְׁמֹנִ֛ים שָׁנָ֖ה וּמְאַ֣ת שָׁנָ֑ה (1)“When/After Methuselah had lived 187 years,” or “When/After Methuselah was 187 years old,” Consider again how you translated verses in this chapter that are similar in structure to this verse; see verses 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 25, and part of verses 3 and 28, and see the note about this at verse 6.
then he fathered Lamech
Quote: וַיּ֖וֹלֶד אֶת לָֽמֶךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“he fathered/had a son named Lamech.” or “he fathered/had a son whose name was Lamech.”
Genesis 5:26
Then after he fathered Lamech, Methuselah lived
Quote: וַֽיְחִ֣י מְתוּשֶׁ֗לַח אַֽחֲרֵי֙ הוֹלִיד֣וֹ אֶת לֶ֔מֶךְ (1)“After he/Methuselah had Lamech, Methuselah/he lived” or “After Lamech’s birth, Methuselah lived” or “After Lamech was born, Methuselah lived”
782 years
Quote: שְׁתַּ֤יִם וּשְׁמוֹנִים֙ שָׁנָ֔ה וּשְׁבַ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה (1)“another 782 years,” or “782 more years,”
and he fathered
Quote: וַיּ֥וֹלֶד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“and he also fathered/had” or “He/Methuselah also fathered/had” or “He was also the father of”. Consider what is the best way in your language to refer to Methuselah at this point in the paragraph.
other} sons and daughters
Quote: בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֽוֹת (1)“other sons as well as daughters.”
Genesis 5:27
So all the days of Methuselah were 969 years
Quote: וַיִּהְיוּ֙ כָּל יְמֵ֣י מְתוּשֶׁ֔לַח תֵּ֤שַׁע וְשִׁשִּׁים֙ שָׁנָ֔ה וּתְשַׁ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“So Methuselah/he lived a total of 969 years,” or “So all together Methuselah/he lived 969 years,” Make sure that the name “Methuselah” is spelled consistently in your translation of verses 21-22, 25-27.
and he died
Quote: וַיָּמֹֽת (1)“and then he died.” or “before he died.”
Genesis 5:28
And Lamech lived 182 years
Quote: וַֽיְחִי־לֶ֕מֶךְ שְׁתַּ֧יִם וּשְׁמֹנִ֛ים שָׁנָ֖ה וּמְאַ֣ת שָׁנָ֑ה (1)“When/After Lamech had lived 182 years,” or “When/After Lamech was 182 years old,”
then he fathered a son
Quote: וַיּ֖וֹלֶד בֵּֽן (1)“he had a son,”
Genesis 5:29
and he called his name
Quote: וַיִּקְרָ֧א אֶת שְׁמ֛וֹ (1)“and he named him” or “whom he named”
Noah
Quote: נֹ֖חַ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“Noah, which means “comfort/relief/rest,”” If you include the meaning of Noah’s name in your translation or in a footnote, make sure it matches what Lamech says about him in the following quote so it is clear why he was given that name.
saying
Quote: לֵאמֹ֑ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“because he said,” or “He/Lamech named him that because he had said about him,” What Lamech says next is the reason that he named his son Noah. Make sure that is clear in your translation.
This {one} will comfort us
Quote: זֶ֞֠ה יְנַחֲמֵ֤נוּ (1)“This son will relieve us” or “This son will give us rest/relief”
from our labors and from the toil of our hands
Quote: מִֽמַּעֲשֵׂ֨נוּ֙ וּמֵעִצְּב֣וֹן יָדֵ֔ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
“from the difficult labor and toil/work we have to do with our hands” or “from the difficult/agonizing labor/work that we have to do/suffer”. These two phrases have similar meanings and emphasize how difficult the work was. Consider what is the best way to communicate that in your language.
because of the ground which Yahweh has cursed
Quote: מִן הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֵֽרְרָ֖הּ יְהוָֽה (1)“because Yahweh has cursed the ground.” or “as we farm/cultivate the ground that Yahweh has cursed.”
Genesis 5:30
Then after he fathered Noah, Lamech lived
Quote: וַֽיְחִי לֶ֗מֶךְ אַֽחֲרֵי֙ הוֹלִיד֣וֹ אֶת נֹ֔חַ (1)“After he/Lamech fathered Noah, Lamech/he lived” or “After Noah’s birth, Lamech lived” or “After Noah was born, Lamech lived”. Consider again how you translated verses in this chapter that are similar in structure to this verse; see verses 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 26, 30, and part of verses 4 and 22.
595 years
Quote: חָמֵ֤שׁ וְתִשְׁעִים֙ שָׁנָ֔ה וַחֲמֵ֥שׁ מֵאֹ֖ת שָׁנָ֑ה (1)“another 595 years,” or “595 more years,”
and he fathered
Quote: וַיּ֥וֹלֶד (1)“and he also fathered/had” or “He/Lamech also fathered/had” or “He was also the father of”
other} sons and daughters
Quote: בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֽוֹת (1)“other sons as well as daughters.”
Genesis 5:31
So all the days of Lamech were 777 years
Quote: וַֽיְהִי֙ כָּל יְמֵי לֶ֔מֶךְ שֶׁ֤בַע וְשִׁבְעִים֙ שָׁנָ֔ה וּשְׁבַ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“So Lamech/he lived a total of 777 years,” or “All together Lamech/he lived 777 years,” Consider again how you translated verses that are similar to verse 31; see verses 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, 27, 31, and the first half of verses 5 and 23. Also make sure that the name “Lamech” is spelled consistently in your translation of verses 25-26, 28-31, and also in 4:18-19, 23-24 for a different person who has the same name.
and he died
Quote: וַיָּמֹֽת (1)“and then he died.” or “before he died.”
Genesis 5:32
And Noah was a son of 500 years
Quote: וַֽיְהִי נֹ֕חַ בֶּן חֲמֵ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases
“After Noah was 500 years old,” Noah’s sons were not triplets, but were born in different years after Noah was 500 years old. The way you translate this verse should allow for that meaning.
then Noah fathered
Quote: וַיּ֣וֹלֶד נֹ֔חַ (1)“he fathered/had”. Consider again how you translated “fathered” in this chapter; see verses 4, 6-7, 9-10, 12-13, 15-16, 18-19, 25-26, 28, 30, 32.
Shem, Ham, and Japheth
Quote: אֶת שֵׁ֖ם אֶת חָ֥ם וְאֶת יָֽפֶת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“sons named Shem, Ham, and Japheth.” or “sons he/they named Shem, Ham, and Japheth.” or “sons whose names were Shem, Ham, and Japheth.”
Genesis 6
Genesis 6:1
And it happened
Quote: וַֽיְהִי֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-background
“Now it happened”. The events in Gen 6:1-2 started happening long before the events in 5:32, so the way your translation begins this verse should allow for that meaning and not begin with a sequence word like “Then”, which would have the wrong meaning here. Many translations omit the conjunction here. Do what is best in your language. Also, the phrase “it happened” introduces and emphasizes important background information which the following narrative builds on. It also creates suspense so that readers and listeners wonder what will happen next. Some translations leave this phrase out, but doing that loses some of the suspense. Do what is best in your language.
when
Quote: כִּֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background
“that when/as” or “that”
mankind
Quote: הָֽאָדָ֔ם (1)“human beings” or “people”. See how you translated this term in Gen 5:1-2.
began to multiply
Quote: הֵחֵ֣ל & לָרֹ֖ב (1)“began to multiply/increase in number” or “began to be more/very numerous”
on the surface of the earth
Quote: עַל פְּנֵ֣י הָֽאֲדָמָ֑ה (1)“all over the earth” or “throughout the earth/world”
and daughters were born to them
Quote: וּבָנ֖וֹת יֻלְּד֥וּ לָהֶֽם (1)“and they were having many daughters,”
Genesis 6:2
then … saw
Quote: וַיִּרְא֤וּ (1)“then/Then when those daughters/girls grew up,” or “When those daughters/girls grew up,” Verses 1 and 2 are one long sentence in the Hebrew text. For many languages it is necessary to divide it into two or more shorter sentences. For example, depending on how you began verse 1, you could begin verse 2 with a new sentence. Do what is best in your language.
the sons of God
Quote: בְנֵי הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ (1)“some angels” or “some supernatural beings”. The meaning of Gen 6:2 is not certain and is heavily debated, so it is probably best to translate it fairly literally and possibly include a footnote about what it means. If it is not translated literally, the literal text should be put in a footnote. There are three main views of who “the sons of God” and “the daughters of mankind” refer to: (1) nonhuman, god-like (supernatural) beings, such as demons or angels (as in Job 1:6, 38:7) who took human form and married the daughters of human beings (which may be what is referred to in 1 Peter 3:19–20; 2 Peter 2:4, and Jude 6); or (2) male descendants of Seth (the righteous, chosen family line) who married female descendants of Cain (the unrighteous family line); or (3) sons of powerful men, such as judges or rulers (as in Exodus 22:8, Psalm 82:1, 6) who married the daughters of common, poor people.
then … saw the daughters of mankind, that they {were} beautiful
Quote: וַיִּרְא֤וּ & אֶת בְּנ֣וֹת הָֽאָדָ֔ם כִּ֥י טֹבֹ֖ת הֵ֑נָּה (1)“saw that the daughters of human beings were beautiful,” or “saw that those young women were beautiful,” or “saw that they were very beautiful,”
so they took wives for themselves from any {of them} that they chose
Quote: וַיִּקְח֤וּ לָהֶם֙ נָשִׁ֔ים מִכֹּ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר בָּחָֽרוּ (1)“so they married any of them that they wanted to.” or “So they chose any/all of them that they wanted and married them.” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here. Also, see how you translated “took/married” in Gen 4:19.
Genesis 6:3
Then Yahweh said
Quote: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוָ֗ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“Then/So Yahweh said to himself,” Only make implied information explicit in your translation if it is necessary to prevent wrong meaning or if your language’s grammar requires it, so that your translation is easier to read and understand.
My Spirit
Quote: רוּחִ֤י (1)The Hebrew text is ambiguous here. It could mean: (1) “My Spirit” or “I”, which is a way of God referring to himself (Gen 1:2 is similar); or (2) “My spirit”, which could refer to God’s breath that gives life (as in Gen 2:7). If the text is not translated literally, the literal text should be put in a footnote.
will not strive with mankind forever
Quote: לֹֽא־יָד֨וֹן & בָֽאָדָם֙ לְעֹלָ֔ם (1)The Hebrew text is ambiguous here. It could mean: (1) “will not contend with human beings forever,” or “will not put up with human beings forever,” or (2) “will not remain/live with/in human beings forever,” The interpretation that is not used in your translation could be put in a footnote.
because they {are} indeed flesh
Quote: בְּשַׁגַּ֖ם ה֣וּא בָשָׂ֑ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“because they are certainly/very sinful/corrupt.” or “because they are only/mere sinful/corrupt mortals.” The word “flesh” is used here as an idiom that means human beings are “mortal” (that is, their bodies will die) and that they are “sinful/corrupt”. The two meanings are interrelated since it is because of sin that their bodies die. In this context, the focus is on their corrupt behavior, which is the reason God will send a flood.
Therefore their days will be 120 years
Quote: וְהָי֣וּ יָמָ֔יו מֵאָ֥ה וְעֶשְׂרִ֖ים שָׁנָֽה (1)The Hebrew text is ambiguous here. It could mean: (1) “So they will have 120 years to repent.” or “I will give them 120 years to repent.” or (2) “From now on, they/people will have/live no longer than 120 years.” The first interpretation seems to best fit the context here of God announcing his plan to judge mankind for their sin (verse 7). This would mean that Noah was 480 years old when God said this (about 20 years before he started having sons; Gen 5:32), since the flood came when he was 600 years old (Gen 7:6); you could put some of that information in a footnote. The second interpretation does not fit with the fact that after God said this, many people lived much longer than 120 years, so it does not seem likely that length of life was his meaning here.
Genesis 6:4
The Nephilim
Quote: הַנְּפִלִ֞ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“People/Giants called the Nephilim” or “Giants”. Most translations transliterate (borrow or copy) the Hebrew word “Nephilim” here, treating it as a name. The word means “fallen ones” and probably refers to their fallen (sinful) spiritual state. The Nephilim were the descendants of the sons of God and the daughters of mankind. The only other time in the Bible that the Nephilim are mentioned is centuries later in Numbers 13:32-33, where they are identified as evil giants. Based on that, some translations translate “the Nephilim” as “giants” here in Gen 6:4.
were on the earth
Quote: הָי֣וּ בָאָרֶץ֮ (1)“lived on the earth” or “were living on the earth”
in those days and also after that
Quote: בַּיָּמִ֣ים הָהֵם֒ וְגַ֣ם אַֽחֲרֵי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“during that time and also later on,” It may be more natural to put this time phrase first in verse 4 and say, “During that time there were Nephilim/giants living on the earth, when …” Do what is best in your language.
when
Quote: כֵ֗ן אֲשֶׁ֨ר (1)“That was/happened when”. Consider whether or not it is better to begin a new sentence here in your language.
the sons of God
Quote: בְּנֵ֤י הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ (1)“angels” or “supernatural beings”. Be consistent here with how you translated this phrase in verse 2, and see the important note about that there.
went to
Quote: יָבֹ֜אוּ & אֶל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
“slept with” or “had marital/sexual relations with”. Translate this idiom in a way that is polite and will not shame or embarrass people when this verse is read aloud in public. See how you translated a similar idiom (“knew”) in Gen 4:1, 17, 25.
the daughters of mankind
Quote: בְּנ֣וֹת הָֽאָדָ֔ם (1)“the daughters of human beings,” or “human women,” See how you translated this phrase in verse 2.
and they bore children for them
Quote: וְיָלְד֖וּ לָהֶ֑ם (1)“and those women gave birth to children for them.” or “and those women had children.”
They {were
Quote: הֵ֧מָּה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“The Nephilim were” or “Those/Their children grew up and were/became the Nephilim, who were”. Make sure it is clear in your translation who is being referred to here.
the mighty {ones
Quote: הַגִּבֹּרִ֛ים (1)“the powerful men/warriors” or “heroes”
who {were} from long ago
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֥ר מֵעוֹלָ֖ם (1)“who lived a long time ago,” or “who lived many years ago,”
the men of renown
Quote: אַנְשֵׁ֥י הַשֵּֽׁם (1)“who/and were famous men.” For some languages it may be more natural to put this phrase earlier in this sentence and say, “They were the mighty men of renown who were from long ago.” or “They were the famous mighty men who lived a long time ago.” Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 6:5
And Yahweh saw
Quote: וַיַּ֣רְא יְהוָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“Yahweh knew” or “Yahweh was aware”. The verb “saw” is used here as an idiom. Consider whether your language has a similar idiom that would fit well here. Do what is best in your language.
that the wickedness of mankind {was} great on the earth
Quote: כִּ֥י רַבָּ֛ה רָעַ֥ת הָאָדָ֖ם בָּאָ֑רֶץ (1)“how wicked/evil mankind/people had become on the earth,” or “that the people on the earth had become very wicked/evil,”
and that every inclination of the thoughts of their hearts
Quote: וְכָל יֵ֨צֶר֙ מַחְשְׁבֹ֣ת לִבּ֔וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“and that every intention/desire they had in their hearts/minds” or “and that everything they thought about and desired/wanted”. In Hebrew culture the heart is considered the center of thoughts and desires. Consider whether your language has a similar idiom.
was} only evil
Quote: רַ֥ק רַ֖ע (1)“was completely evil”
all day long
Quote: כָּל הַיּֽוֹם (1)“all the time.” or “constantly.”
Genesis 6:6
So Yahweh was sorry
Quote: וַיִּנָּ֣חֶם יְהוָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“As a result, Yahweh/he regretted” or “Yahweh/he regretted”
that he had made mankind
Quote: כִּֽי עָשָׂ֥ה אֶת הָֽאָדָ֖ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“that he had made/created people/them” or “that he had made/created human beings”. See how you translated “mankind” in verses 1, 3, and 5, and consider whether or not it is best to use a pronoun (“them”) here in your language.
on the earth
Quote: בָּאָ֑רֶץ (1)“to live on the earth,”
and he was grieved in his heart
Quote: וַיִּתְעַצֵּ֖ב אֶל לִבּֽוֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“and his heart was filled with pain/sadness/grief.” or “and he was/felt extremely/very sad/grieved.” Consider whether your language has a similar idiom that would fit well here.
Genesis 6:7
Then Yahweh said
Quote: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוָ֗ה (1)“Then/So Yahweh/he said to himself,” See how you translated this phrase in verse 3. Also make sure that the way you begin verse 7 fits well with the way you begin verse 6.
I will wipe away
Quote: אֶמְחֶ֨ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“I will wash away” or “I will blot out” or “I will completely wipe/destroy”. Consider whether your language has a similar idiom that would fit well here.
mankind whom I created off the surface of the ground
Quote: אֶת הָאָדָ֤ם אֲשֶׁר בָּרָ֨אתִי֙ מֵעַל֙ פְּנֵ֣י הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה (1)“all the human beings whom I created, from the surface of the earth,” or “from the earth all the people whom I created,”
both mankind and animals
Quote: מֵֽאָדָם֙ עַד בְּהֵמָ֔ה (1)“In fact, I will destroy not just/only all the people, but also all the animals,” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
and crawling creatures
Quote: עַד רֶ֖מֶשׂ (1)“and/including the creatures that crawl/move on/along the ground”
and the birds of the sky
Quote: וְעַד ע֣וֹף הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם (1)“and all the birds that fly in the sky/air,” or “and all the birds,”
because I am sorry
Quote: כִּ֥י נִחַ֖מְתִּי (1)“because I am sad/grieved” or “because I regret”. See how you translated “was sorry” or “regretted” in verse 6.
that I made them
Quote: כִּ֥י עֲשִׂיתִֽם (1)“that I ever made/created them.”
Genesis 6:8
But Noah found favor in the eyes of Yahweh
Quote: וְנֹ֕חַ מָ֥צָא חֵ֖ן בְּעֵינֵ֥י יְהוָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“But Noah pleased God.” or “However, Yahweh was pleased with Noah.” The idiom “find favor” means to please someone. And the idiom “in the eyes of” refers to someone’s opinion about something or someone. Consider whether your language has similar idioms that work well here or whether it is better to translate this sentence without an idiom.
Genesis 6:9
These {are} the generations of Noah
Quote: אֵ֚לֶּה תּוֹלְדֹ֣ת נֹ֔חַ (1)“This/Here is more of the account/record/history of/about Noah and his descendants/family:” or “What follows tells more about Noah and his descendants/family:” Some of Noah’s history has already been given in Gen 5:29, 32, and 6:8. What follows tells more about him.
He {was
Quote: נֹ֗חַ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“He was”. Consider whether it is better in your language to use a noun or a pronoun here to refer to Noah.
a righteous man
Quote: אִ֥ישׁ צַדִּ֛יק (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-key-terms
“an upright/good man.” or “a man who did what was right.”
He was without blemish in his generation
Quote: תָּמִ֥ים הָיָ֖ה בְּדֹֽרֹתָ֑יו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The Hebrew text is ambiguous here. It could mean: (1) “He alone was blameless/faultless in God’s eyes among his contemporaries.” or “Out of all the people living at that time, Noah/he was the only one whom God considered blameless.” or (2) “He had a blameless/spotless reputation among his contemporaries.” or “His contemporaries considered him to be a man of integrity.” The phrase “without blemish” is often used in the Bible to describe animals that have no defects. Here it is used as an idiom that means Noah was “blameless/faultless” in an ethical or moral sense, or that he had good integrity, but it does not mean that he was sinless. Consider whether your language has a similar idiom that would work well here. Also, the word “generation” refers here to people who lived during the same time period.
Noah walked with God
Quote: אֶת הָֽאֱלֹהִ֖ים הִֽתְהַלֶּךְ נֹֽחַ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“and he walked closely/faithfully with God.” or “and he lived in a close/faithful relationship with God.” Consider whether or not it is best in your language to begin a new sentence here. See how you translated this idiom in Gen 5:22, 24.
Genesis 6:10
And Noah fathered
Quote: וַיּ֥וֹלֶד נֹ֖חַ (1)“Eventually Noah/he fathered/had” or “And as mentioned before, Noah/he had”. The fact that Noah fathered/had these three sons was already mentioned in Gen 5:32. Make sure that the way you begin this verse in your translation does not sound like he fathered these sons a second time.
three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth
Quote: שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה בָנִ֑ים אֶת שֵׁ֖ם אֶת חָ֥ם וְאֶת יָֽפֶת (1)“three sons, namely Shem, Ham, and Japheth.” or “three sons, whose names were Shem, Ham, and Japheth.”
Genesis 6:11
Now the earth was corrupt
Quote: וַתִּשָּׁחֵ֥ת הָאָ֖רֶץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“Now the people of/on the earth had become corrupt/wicked”. The phrase “the earth” is often used in the Bible to refer to all the people on the earth. Consider whether your language can do the same thing, or whether it is necessary to make that implied information explicit.
before God
Quote: לִפְנֵ֣י הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“in God’s sight/opinion,” or “according to God’s standards,”
and the earth was filled {with} violence
Quote: וַתִּמָּלֵ֥א הָאָ֖רֶץ חָמָֽס (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
“and they had filled the earth with their violence/lawlessness.” or “and all over the earth they were doing violent/lawless things.” This clause forms a parallelism with the previous clause in order to emphasize how evil the people on the earth had become. The two clauses are different enough from each other that, if possible, it is best to keep both parts of the parallelism in your translation. Also be consistent with how you translated “the earth” earlier in this verse.
Genesis 6:12
And God saw
Quote: וַיַּ֧רְא אֱלֹהִ֛ים (1)“God saw”. Consider whether or not it is best in your language to begin this sentence with a conjunction.
the earth, and behold, it was corrupted
Quote: אֶת הָאָ֖רֶץ וְהִנֵּ֣ה נִשְׁחָ֑תָה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“that everyone on the earth was indeed/very corrupt/wicked,” or “how corrupt/wicked everyone on the earth had become,” See how you translated “corrupt” and “the earth” in verse 11.
because all flesh on the earth
Quote: כִּֽי & כָּל בָּשָׂ֛ר & עַל הָאָֽרֶץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
“because all the people on the earth” or “because everyone living on earth”. The phrase “all flesh” refers here to all people and probably implies that people are mortal (verse 3).
had corrupted its way
Quote: הִשְׁחִ֧ית & אֶת דַּרְכּ֖וֹ (1)“were living corrupt/wicked lives.” or “were continually doing wicked/evil things.” or “were continually acting/behaving in evil ways.”
Genesis 6:13
So God said to Noah
Quote: וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֜ים לְנֹ֗חַ (1)“So/Then God/he said to Noah,”
The end of all flesh has come before me
Quote: קֵ֤ץ כָּל בָּשָׂר֙ בָּ֣א לְפָנַ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
“I have decided to put an end to all human beings,” or “I am going to destroy all flesh/people,” Be consistent here with how you translated “flesh” in verse 12.
because the earth is filled {with} violence because of them
Quote: כִּֽי מָלְאָ֥ה הָאָ֛רֶץ חָמָ֖ס מִפְּנֵיהֶ֑ם (1)“because they have filled the earth with their violence/lawlessness.” or “because all over the earth they are doing violent/lawless things.” See how you translated “violence” in verse 11.
So behold, I
Quote: וְהִנְנִ֥י (1)“Now listen,” or “In fact,” This phrase draws extra attention to what God says next. Consider what is the best way to do that in your language.
am destroying them
Quote: מַשְׁחִיתָ֖ם (1)“I am going to destroy them” or “I plan to destroy them” or “I will destroy them”
with the earth
Quote: אֶת הָאָֽרֶץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“as well as everything else on the earth.” or “and everything else on the earth too.” This phrase includes everything on the earth, not just the people.
Genesis 6:14
Make
Quote: עֲשֵׂ֤ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
“Therefore/Consequently you must make/build”
an ark
Quote: תֵּבַ֣ת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-transliterate
“a very large boat/houseboat”. The term “ark” is general and refers to a chest/box that is closed on all sides, including the top. In this case, the ark was a very large boat that people and many animals lived in for a year. It had no motor, no oars, no sail and no rudder. Since this was a unique, one-of-a-kind boat that may already be well-known as the “ark” in the receptor language area, some translations transliterate (copy or borrow) the word “ark” throughout Genesis. Decide what is best for your translation.
for yourself
Quote: לְךָ֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“for you/yourself and your family”
out of gopher wood
Quote: עֲצֵי גֹ֔פֶר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
“from gopher/cypress wood which is good for building boats.” or “out of the best wood for building boats.” It is not certain what kind of wood this was, so many translations transliterate (copy or borrow) the Hebrew word “gopher”. Some Bible scholars think it was cypress wood.
Make the ark {with} rooms
Quote: קִנִּ֖ים תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֣ה אֶת הַתֵּבָ֑ה (1)“Build/Construct the ark/boat with compartments/stalls inside,” or “Make/Build rooms inside the ark/boat,”
and cover it inside and outside
Quote: וְכָֽפַרְתָּ֥ אֹתָ֛הּ מִבַּ֥יִת וּמִח֖וּץ (1)“and completely seal/coat it inside and outside”
with a covering
Quote: בַּכֹּֽפֶר (1)“with pitch/tar to keep water out.” or “with pitch/tar to keep the boat from leaking.” The Hebrew word “covering” is general and does not specify what kind of waterproofing material is being used. However, many translations are more specific than that here and refer to “pitch” or “tar” or some other material made from tree resin or sap that can seal a boat well and keep it from leaking.
Genesis 6:15
And this {is} how you must make it
Quote: וְזֶ֕ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֖ה אֹתָ֑הּ (1)“Build the ark/boat with these dimensions/measurements:” or “You must make/build the ark/boat like this:”
the length of the ark {must be} 300 cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits
Quote: שְׁלֹ֧שׁ מֵא֣וֹת אַמָּ֗ה אֹ֚רֶךְ הַתֵּבָ֔ה חֲמִשִּׁ֤ים אַמָּה֙ רָחְבָּ֔הּ וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים אַמָּ֖ה קוֹמָתָֽהּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bdistance
“It must be 140 meters long, twenty-three/23 meters wide, and fourteen/14 meters high.” or “It must be 450 feet long, seventy-five/75 feet wide, and forty-five/45 feet high.” A cubit was about half a meter (18 inches) long, which was the distance from a man’s elbow to the tip of his middle finger. You can: (1) translate cubits into meters or feet, and put the literal text in a footnote; or (2) keep “cubits” in the main text (so that the numbers 300, fifty/50 and thirty/30 are kept) and put what that equals in meters or feet in a footnote.
Genesis 6:16
Make a window for the ark and finish it to within one cubit from the top
Quote: צֹ֣הַר תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֣ה לַתֵּבָ֗ה וְאֶל אַמָּה֙ תְּכַלֶ֣נָּה מִלְמַ֔עְלָה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bdistance
“Make/Build a window/skylight for the ark/boat by finishing the sides/walls of the ark/boat to within one cubit below the top/roof of the ark/boat.” or “Make/Build a half-meter high window/opening between the top of the walls/sides of the ark and its roof all the way around, to let light and air in.” The meaning of the Hebrew text is not completely certain here, but God was probably telling Noah to make a one-cubit high window or opening at the top of the outside walls of the ark, just below the roof, all the way around the ark, to let light and air into the ark. See the note about “cubit” in verse 15.
And put the door of the ark in its side
Quote: וּפֶ֥תַח הַתֵּבָ֖ה בְּצִדָּ֣הּ תָּשִׂ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases
“Also put/build a door in the side of the ark/boat.” or “Put/Build a door for the ark/boat in its side.” Some translations begin this sentence without a conjunction (“And” or “Also”). Do what is natural in your language.
Make a lower, a second, and a third {deck
Quote: תַּחְתִּיִּ֛ם שְׁנִיִּ֥ם וּשְׁלִשִׁ֖ים תַּֽעֲשֶֽׂהָ (1)“Make/Build a lower deck/level, a middle deck/level, and an upper deck/level on the inside.” or “and make/build a lower, second/middle, and third/upper story/floor on the inside.” or “and make/build three complete levels/floors on the inside.” Consider whether or not it is best in your language to begin a new sentence here.
Genesis 6:17
And I, behold, I
Quote: וַאֲנִ֗י הִנְנִי֩ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns
“Behold/Listen, I myself” or “Listen carefully to me: I”. In the Hebrew text, the pronoun “I” is emphatic, both by its form and by its position at the beginning of the sentence. Consider what is the best way to communicate that emphasis in your language.
am bringing floodwaters on the earth
Quote: מֵבִ֨יא אֶת־הַמַּבּ֥וּל מַ֨יִם֙ עַל־הָאָ֔רֶץ (1)“am going to bring/send a flood on/over the whole/entire earth” or “am going to flood the whole/entire earth with water”
to destroy
Quote: לְשַׁחֵ֣ת (1)“in order to destroy” or “which will destroy”. See how you translated “destroy” in verse 13.
all flesh
Quote: כָּל בָּשָׂ֗ר (1)“all the creatures/beings” or “every creature” or “every living thing”. This phrase is general here and includes people and animals, so you may need to translate the phrase differently here from what you did earlier in verses 12-13 (where the focus seems to be on people).
that {has} the breath of life in it
Quote: אֲשֶׁר בּוֹ֙ ר֣וּחַ חַיִּ֔ים (1)“that breathe/breathes air”. See how you translated this phrase in Gen 1:30.
from under the heavens
Quote: מִתַּ֖חַת הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“from under the sky.” For some languages it may be clearer to put this phrase earlier in this sentence and say, “to destroy every living thing under the heavens/sky that has the breath of life in it.” Do what is best in your language.
Everything that {is} on the earth
Quote: כֹּ֥ל אֲשֶׁר בָּאָ֖רֶץ (1)“As a result, every living thing/being that is/lives on land”
will expire
Quote: יִגְוָֽע (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“will breathe out its last breath!” or “will die/perish!” The verb “expire” (which could also be translated “exhale” or “breathe out”) is used here as an idiom that means “die”. Consider whether your language has a similar or different idiom that would work well here.
Genesis 6:18
But I will establish
Quote: וַהֲקִמֹתִ֥י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast
“But/However I will make/institute” or “But/However I will set up”. The word “establish” means to deliberately and formally put something into effect.
my covenant with you
Quote: אֶת בְּרִיתִ֖י אִתָּ֑ךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-key-terms
“a covenant between me and you,” or “a special/peace agreement between me and you,” This covenant is made up of the unconditional, unbreakable promises that God made to Noah (and all mankind and all other living things) in Genesis 8:2-9:17. The word “testament” is another word for “covenant,” so the way you translate “covenant” here could be similar to the way you translate the titles “Old Testament” and “New Testament.”
so you must go into the ark
Quote: וּבָאתָ֙ אֶל הַתֵּבָ֔ה (1)“so you must enter the ark/boat,” or “so you must get on board the ark/boat,”
you and your sons and your wife and the wives of your sons with you
Quote: אַתָּ֕ה וּבָנֶ֛יךָ וְאִשְׁתְּךָ֥ וּנְשֵֽׁי בָנֶ֖יךָ אִתָּֽךְ (1)“and take your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.” or “and take with you your wife, your sons, and their wives.”
Genesis 6:19
And from every living {creature}, from all flesh, you must bring two from each {kind} into the ark
Quote: וּמִכָּל הָ֠חַי מִֽכָּל בָּשָׂ֞ר שְׁנַ֧יִם מִכֹּ֛ל תָּבִ֥יא אֶל הַתֵּבָ֖ה (1)“Also, from every kind of living creature, yes, from every kind of animal, you must bring/take two/pairs of each kind into the ark/boat” or “You must also bring/take into the ark/boat two/pairs of every kind of living creature, including every kind of animal,”
to keep alive with you
Quote: לְהַחֲיֹ֣ת אִתָּ֑ךְ (1)“in order to keep them alive with you.” or “so that they stay alive with you.”
They must be male and female
Quote: זָכָ֥ר וּנְקֵבָ֖ה יִֽהְיֽוּ (1)“They must be pairs with one male and one female each.” or “Each pair must have/include one male and one female.” or “Make sure that each pair has one male and one female.”
Genesis 6:20
From the birds according to their kinds
Quote: מֵהָע֣וֹף לְמִינֵ֗הוּ (1)“Males and females from/of every kind/type of bird,”
and from the animals according to their kinds
Quote: וּמִן הַבְּהֵמָה֙ לְמִינָ֔הּ (1)“and from/of every kind of animal,”
from every moving creature of the ground according to its kind
Quote: מִכֹּ֛ל רֶ֥מֶשׂ הָֽאֲדָמָ֖ה לְמִינֵ֑הוּ (1)“including every kind of creature that moves/lives on the ground/land,” This phrase emphasizes that the birds and animals mentioned in the first half of this verse lived on land.
two from every {kind} will come to you
Quote: שְׁנַ֧יִם מִכֹּ֛ל יָבֹ֥אוּ אֵלֶ֖יךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“two/pairs of every kind of animal will come to you” or “two/pairs of each kind of animal will come to you”. For some languages it is more natural to change the order of clauses in this sentence and say, “Two/Pairs of every kind of bird and every kind of animal, including every kind of creature that moves on the ground, will come to you … ” Do what is best in your language.
to keep alive
Quote: לְהַֽחֲיֽוֹת (1)“to keep them alive on/in the ark/boat.” or “into the ark/boat so that they stay alive.” or “so that you keep them alive in the ark/boat.”
Genesis 6:21
And you
Quote: וְאַתָּ֣ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular
“You” or “You and your family”. Although the pronoun “you” is singular in the Hebrew text in verse 21, it could be translated as plural, since God’s instructions apply to Noah and his family, not just Noah. Or you could make his family explicit. Do what is best in your language.
must take with you
Quote: קַח־לְךָ֗ (1)“must also gather and take/bring” or “must also gather”
some of every food
Quote: מִכָּל מַֽאֲכָל֙ (1)“every kind of food” or “all the different kinds of food”
that is eaten
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֵֽאָכֵ֔ל (1)“that is eaten by people and animals” or “that people and animals eat” or “that you and all the animals/creatures will need”
and store it with you
Quote: וְאָסַפְתָּ֖ אֵלֶ֑יךָ (1)“and store/stockpile/put it on the ark/boat with you,”
and it will be food
Quote: וְהָיָ֥ה & לְאָכְלָֽה (1)“This/That will be the food supply” or “so that there will be enough food”. Consider whether or not it is best in your language to begin a new sentence here.
for you
Quote: לְךָ֛ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular
“for you and your family”. Consider again how you translated the pronoun “you” in this verse.
and for them
Quote: וְלָהֶ֖ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“and for all the animals.”
Genesis 6:22
And Noah did {that
Quote: וַיַּ֖עַשׂ נֹ֑חַ (1)“So, that is what Noah did;” or “Noah did all of that”. Some translations begin verse 22 without a conjunction. Do what is best in your language.
according to all that God had commanded him, so he did
Quote: כְּ֠כֹל אֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֥ה אֹת֛וֹ אֱלֹהִ֖ים כֵּ֥ן עָשָֽׂה (1)“he did everything just/exactly as God had commanded/told him to do.”
Genesis 7
Genesis 7:1
Then Yahweh said to Noah
Quote: וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ לְנֹ֔חַ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“Then after they had finished building the ark/boat, Yahweh told/commanded Noah,” or “When/After the ark/boat was finished, Yahweh told/commanded Noah,” For some languages it may be necessary to make it explicit that the boat was completed before Yahweh told Noah to enter it. Do what is best in your language.
Go into the ark, you and all your household
Quote: בֹּֽא אַתָּ֥ה וְכָל בֵּיתְךָ֖ אֶל הַתֵּבָ֑ה (1)“Enter/Board the ark/boat, along with your entire family,” or “You and your entire household/family must go/get into the ark/boat,” See how you translated “ark/boat” in Gen 6:14-16.
because I have seen
Quote: כִּֽי & רָאִ֛יתִי (1)“because I have found” or “because I see/know”
that} you {are} righteous
Quote: אֹתְךָ֥ & צַדִּ֥יק (1)“that you alone are upright” or “that you are the only one who is living righteously/rightly” or “… living the right way”. In the Hebrew text, the pronoun “you” is emphasized to show that Noah was the only one who was righteous. See how you translated “righteous” in Gen 6:9.
before me
Quote: לְפָנַ֖י (1)“in my sight/eyes/opinion” or “according to my standards/will”
in this generation
Quote: בַּדּ֥וֹר הַזֶּֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“among the people living today.” For some languages it may be more natural to put this phrase earlier in this verse and say, “… you are the only one among the people living today who is righteous in my sight.” Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 7:2
From every clean animal
Quote: מִכֹּ֣ל הַבְּהֵמָ֣ה הַטְּהוֹרָ֗ה (1)“From every kind of pure animal” or “From every kind of animal that is acceptable to sacrifice”. It may be necessary to include a footnote that explains the concept of clean and unclean animals: In the Bible a “clean animal” was an animal that was acceptable to be sacrificed to God or to be eaten, and an “unclean animal” was one that could not be sacrificed or eaten; it does not refer to how clean the animal was physically. Later Moses wrote down the laws about clean and unclean animals in the book of Leviticus.
take with you
Quote: תִּֽקַּח לְךָ֛ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular
“bring with you”. The pronoun “you” is singular in the Hebrew text, but could be translated as a plural to include Noah’s family.
seven pairs, a male and its female
Quote: שִׁבְעָ֥ה שִׁבְעָ֖ה אִ֣ישׁ וְאִשְׁתּ֑וֹ (1)“seven male and female pairs”. See how you translated “male and female” in Gen 6:19.
and from {every} animal that {is} not clean
Quote: וּמִן הַבְּהֵמָ֡ה אֲ֠שֶׁר לֹ֣א טְהֹרָ֥ה (1)“and from every kind of unclean/impure animal” or “and from every kind of animal that is not acceptable to sacrifice”
take} two, a male and its female
Quote: שְׁנַ֖יִם אִ֥ישׁ וְאִשְׁתּֽוֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“take a/one male and female pair,” For some languages it may be better to change the order of the phrases in this sentence and say, “Take with you seven male and female pairs of every kind of clean/pure animal, and one male and female pair of every kind of unclean/impure animal,” Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 7:3
also
Quote: גַּ֣ם (1)“and also” or “In addition,” or “Also,” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
from {every} bird of the sky
Quote: מֵע֧וֹף הַשָּׁמַ֛יִם (1)“from every kind/type of bird that flies in the sky/air” or “from every kind/type of bird”
take} seven pairs, male and female
Quote: שִׁבְעָ֥ה שִׁבְעָ֖ה זָכָ֣ר וּנְקֵבָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“take seven male and female pairs”. See how you translated a similar phrase in verse 2. Also, for some languages it may be better to put this phrase earlier in this sentence and say, “Also take seven male and female pairs of every kind of bird that flies in the sky/air …” Do what is best in your language.
to keep {their} offspring alive
Quote: לְחַיּ֥וֹת זֶ֖רַע (1)“so that later their offspring will live” or “so that later they will have offspring that will live”
on the surface of the whole earth
Quote: עַל פְּנֵ֥י כָל הָאָֽרֶץ (1)“and spread all over the earth,” or “and/to repopulate the whole/entire earth,”
Genesis 7:4
because
Quote: כִּי֩ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“You must do that, because” or “The reason you must do that is”. For many languages it is more natural to begin a new sentence here. Do what is best in your language.
in seven more days
Quote: לְיָמִ֨ים ע֜וֹד שִׁבְעָ֗ה (1)“seven days from now/today”. The phrase, “seven more days” could be translated “another week” here and in verse 11. However, it is probably best to keep the number seven in the text in both places, especially since the number seven often signifies perfection or completion in the Bible, perhaps also here.
I will cause it to rain
Quote: אָֽנֹכִי֙ מַמְטִ֣יר (1)“I will make it rain continuously” or “I will send rain”
on the earth
Quote: עַל הָאָ֔רֶץ (1)“all over the earth/world”
for} forty days and forty nights
Quote: אַרְבָּעִ֣ים י֔וֹם וְאַרְבָּעִ֖ים לָ֑יְלָה (1)“for forty days and nights,” This phrase refers to forty complete 24-hour days.
and I will wipe
Quote: וּמָחִ֗יתִי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“in order to wipe/blot out” or “That will wash away” or “In that way, I will completely destroy”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here. See how you translated this idiom in Gen 6:7.
every living thing that I have made
Quote: אֶֽת כָּל הַיְקוּם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשִׂ֔יתִי (1)“every living creature that I have made” or “all the living things/creatures that I have made”. See how you translated a similar phrase (“living creature”) in Gen 6:19.
off the surface of the ground
Quote: מֵעַ֖ל פְּנֵ֥י הָֽאֲדָמָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“off/from the surface of the earth.” or “off/from the earth/land.” It may be clearer to put this phrase earlier in the sentence and say, “in order to completely destroy from/off the ground/earth every living creature/thing that I have made.” Do what is best in your language. See how you translated this phrase in Gen 6:7.
Genesis 7:5
Then Noah did all that
Quote: וַיַּ֖עַשׂ נֹ֑חַ כְּכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר (1)“Then/So Noah did everything that” or “So Noah did everything exactly as”
Yahweh had commanded him
Quote: צִוָּ֖הוּ יְהוָֽה (1)“Yahweh had commanded/told him to do.” See how you translated Gen 6:22 which is similar to 7:5.
Genesis 7:6
Now Noah {was} a son of 600 years
Quote: וְנֹ֕חַ בֶּן שֵׁ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“Noah/He was 600 years old”. See how you handled large numbers in Gen 5 and in Gen 6:3, and see the note about this at Gen 5:3. Also see how you translated the idiom “son of … years” in Gen 5:32.
when the floodwaters came on the earth
Quote: וְהַמַּבּ֣וּל הָיָ֔ה מַ֖יִם עַל הָאָֽרֶץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“when the flood covered the earth.” or “when the earth was covered/flooded with deep water.” For some languages it may be more natural to put this clause first in this sentence and say, “When the flood waters came on the earth, Noah was 600 years old.” Do what is best in your language. Also, see how you translated “floodwaters” in Gen 6:17.
Genesis 7:7
And Noah and his sons and his wife and the wives of his sons went with him into the ark
Quote: וַיָּ֣בֹא נֹ֗חַ וּ֠בָנָיו וְאִשְׁתּ֧וֹ וּנְשֵֽׁי בָנָ֛יו אִתּ֖וֹ אֶל הַתֵּבָ֑ה (1)“That is when Noah/he and his wife, and his sons and their wives, went together into the ark/boat”. Noah and his family entered the ark on the same day that the floodwaters started coming (See verses 11-13). See how you translated a similar list of people in Gen 6:18.
from the presence of
Quote: מִפְּנֵ֖י (1)“because of” or “to escape from” or “to keep them safe from” or “so that they would not die in”
the waters of the flood
Quote: מֵ֥י הַמַּבּֽוּל (1)“the floodwaters.” or “the flood.”
Genesis 7:8
Pairs} from the clean animal{s} and from the animal{s} that are not clean
Quote: מִן הַבְּהֵמָה֙ הַטְּהוֹרָ֔ה וּמִן הַ֨בְּהֵמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֵינֶ֖נָּה טְהֹרָ֑ה (1)“Also, every kind of clean/pure animal and every kind of unclean/impure animal”. See how you translated “clean” and “unclean” animals in verse 2.
and from the bird{s
Quote: וּמִ֨ן הָע֔וֹף (1)“and every kind of bird,”
and everything that moves on the ground
Quote: וְכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר רֹמֵ֖שׂ עַל הָֽאֲדָמָֽה (1)The Hebrew text is ambiguous here. It could mean: (1) “including every kind of creature/animal that moves/lives on land,” or “which includes every kind of creature/animal that moves/lives on land,” According to this interpretation, the rest of verse 8 emphasizes that the clean and unclean animals and birds (verses 2-3, 8) were all creatures that lived on land (which are the creatures that the flood affected). Or it could mean: (2) “as well as every kind of creature/animal that crawls/creeps along the ground”. According to this interpretation, the rest of verse 8 refers to a fourth category of creatures besides the clean animals, unclean animals, and birds.
Genesis 7:9
went two {by} two to Noah into the ark
Quote: שְׁנַ֨יִם שְׁנַ֜יִם בָּ֧אוּ אֶל נֹ֛חַ אֶל הַתֵּבָ֖ה (1)“came to Noah in pairs and came/went into the ark/boat,” or “came in pairs and entered the ark/boat with Noah,”
male and female
Quote: זָכָ֣ר וּנְקֵבָ֑ה (1)“They were male and female pairs,” or “Each pair had one male and one female,” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
just as God had commanded Noah
Quote: כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶת נֹֽחַ (1)“which was exactly what God had commanded/told Noah/him to take/bring along.”
Genesis 7:10
And it happened
Quote: וַֽיְהִ֖י (1)“So it happened that” or “Then”. This phrase focuses attention on an important event (the beginning of the flood), and it builds suspense so that readers and listeners wonder what will happen next. Consider what is the best way to do that in your language.
after the seven days
Quote: לְשִׁבְעַ֣ת הַיָּמִ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“when the seven days that God had spoken about had passed,” or “after seven days,” This phrase refers to the seven days which God talked about in verse 4. It does not mean seven days after Noah and the animals went into the ark (verses 7-9); they went into the ark on the same day that the flood started (verse 13). Translate the beginning of this sentence in a way that makes that clear.
then the waters of the flood came on
Quote: וּמֵ֣י הַמַּבּ֔וּל הָי֖וּ עַל (1)“the floodwaters started to come on/over” or “water started to flood/cover”
the earth
Quote: הָאָֽרֶץ (1)“the entire/whole earth.”
Genesis 7:11
In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life
Quote: בִּשְׁנַ֨ת שֵׁשׁ־מֵא֤וֹת שָׁנָה֙ לְחַיֵּי נֹ֔חַ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
“When Noah was 600 years old,” Compare how you translated Noah’s age in verse 6.
in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month
Quote: בַּחֹ֨דֶשׁ֙ הַשֵּׁנִ֔י בְּשִׁבְעָֽה עָשָׂ֥ר י֖וֹם לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“on the seventeenth day of the second month of the year,” For some languages it is more natural to switch the phrase order and say which day it is before giving the month. Do what is natural in your language.
on that day
Quote: בַּיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֗ה (1)“on that same/very day” or “that is the day when”
all the fountains of
Quote: כָּֽל מַעְיְנֹת֙ (1)“all the springs” or “all the underground water sources”
the great deep
Quote: תְּה֣וֹם רַבָּ֔ה (1)“in the deep ocean”
burst open
Quote: נִבְקְעוּ֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“split/ripped open,” or “started gushing/pouring out water,” For some languages it may be more natural to put this phrase earlier and say, “water started gushing/pouring out of all the fountains/springs in the deep ocean,” Do what is best in your language.
and the windows of the heavens were opened
Quote: וַאֲרֻבֹּ֥ת הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם נִפְתָּֽחוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
“and all the windows/floodgates in the heavens/sky were opened by God,” or “God also caused the water in the heavens/sky to start coming/pouring down, as if he had opened huge windows/floodgates/faucets in the heavens/sky,” This metaphor describes the beginning of a very heavy rainfall; it does not refer to actual windows.
Genesis 7:12
so that the rain fell
Quote: וַֽיְהִ֥י הַגֶּ֖שֶׁם (1)“so that torrential/heavy rain fell/poured continuously” or “so that it rained continuously”
on the earth
Quote: עַל הָאָ֑רֶץ (1)“all over the earth/world”
forty days and forty nights
Quote: אַרְבָּעִ֣ים י֔וֹם וְאַרְבָּעִ֖ים לָֽיְלָה (1)“for forty days and nights.” See how you translated this phrase in verse 4.
Genesis 7:13
On that same day
Quote: בְּעֶ֨צֶם הַיּ֤וֹם הַזֶּה֙ (1)“So it was/happened that on the very same day that the flood/rain started,” This is the same day that is mentioned in verse 11, when the flood started. Verses 13-16 repeat what happened, in order to emphasize it. Make sure that a translation does not sound like this is the second (or third) time that Noah and his family and the animals entered the ark.
Noah and Shem and Ham and Japheth, the sons of Noah, and the wife of Noah and the three wives of his sons with them
Quote: נֹ֔חַ וְשֵׁם וְחָ֥ם וָיֶ֖פֶת בְּנֵי נֹ֑חַ וְאֵ֣שֶׁת נֹ֗חַ וּשְׁלֹ֧שֶׁת נְשֵֽׁי בָנָ֛יו אִתָּ֖ם (1)“Noah and his sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, along with his wife and his sons’ three wives all” or “Noah and his wife and his/their sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and their three wives all”. See how you translated a similar sentence in verse 7.
went into the ark
Quote: בָּ֣א & אֶל הַתֵּבָֽה (1)“entered/boarded the ark/boat,”
Genesis 7:14
they and every
Quote: הֵ֜מָּה וְכָל (1)“They had/took with them every”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
and every living thing according to its kind, and every
Quote: וְכָל הַֽחַיָּ֣ה לְמִינָ֗הּ וְכָל (1)In the Hebrew text this phrase is ambiguous. It could mean: (1) “every kind of living thing/creature, including every” or (2) “every kind of wild animal, and every”. The animal groups listed in verse 14 show that every kind of animal was to be brought onto the ark. Your language may have a different way of grouping animals. Make sure it is clear in your translation of this verse that all the different kinds of birds and land animals are included.
and every livestock according to its kind
Quote: וְכָל הַבְּהֵמָה֙ לְמִינָ֔הּ (1)“every kind of livestock,” or “every kind of domestic/tame animal,”
and every moving creature moving on the earth according to its kind
Quote: וְכָל הָרֶ֛מֶשׂ הָרֹמֵ֥שׂ עַל הָאָ֖רֶץ לְמִינֵ֑הוּ (1)In the Hebrew text, this phrase is ambiguous. It could mean: (1) “and every other kind of creature/animal that moves/lives on the earth/land,” which seems to fit this context best; or (2) “and every kind of creature/animal that crawls on the ground,”
and every bird according to its kind, every bird of every wing
Quote: וְכָל הָע֣וֹף לְמִינֵ֔הוּ כֹּ֖ל צִפּ֥וֹר כָּל כָּנָֽף (1)“and every kind of bird and everything else that has wings.” or “and every kind of bird and every other kind of creature that flies.” This phrase probably refers not only to birds, but also to other creatures that have wings and fly, such as bats and insects.
Genesis 7:15
So they went to Noah into the ark
Quote: וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ אֶל נֹ֖חַ אֶל הַתֵּבָ֑ה (1)“They came to Noah and went/came into the ark,” or “They entered the ark with Noah,” See how you translated a similar clause in verse 9.
two {by} two from all flesh
Quote: שְׁנַ֤יִם שְׁנַ֨יִם֙ מִכָּל הַבָּשָׂ֔ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
“pairs of every kind of creature/animal” or “pairs of every kind of living thing/creature”. The word “flesh” refers here to any kind of creature or animal.
which {has} in it the breath of life
Quote: אֲשֶׁר בּ֖וֹ ר֥וּחַ חַיִּֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“that breathes air.” See how you translated this phrase in Gen 6:17. For some languages it may be better to change the order of the clauses in this verse and say, “Pairs of every kind of living thing that breathes air came to Noah and went into the boat.” Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 7:16
And those that went in
Quote: וְהַבָּאִ֗ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go
“The pairs/animals that went/came into the ark/boat” or “Those animals”. Consider whether it is better in your language to use “went” or “came” here. Also consider again how you translated “went” in verses 7, 9, 13, and 15.
were} male and female
Quote: זָכָ֨ר וּנְקֵבָ֤ה (1)“were male and female pairs”
from all flesh
Quote: מִכָּל בָּשָׂר֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
“from/of every kind of creature/animal,” or “from/of every kind of living thing,” See how you translated “all flesh” in verse 15.
they went in just as God had commanded him
Quote: בָּ֔אוּ כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה אֹת֖וֹ אֱלֹהִ֑ים (1)“which was exactly what God had commanded him/Noah to take/bring along.” See how you translated “just as God commanded him” in verse 9.
Then Yahweh shut him in
Quote: וַיִּסְגֹּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה בַּֽעֲדֽוֹ (1)“After that, Yahweh shut them in/inside the ark/boat.” or “Then after they were all inside, Yahweh shut/closed the door of the ark/boat behind him/them.”
Genesis 7:17
Then the flood came
Quote: וַֽיְהִ֧י הַמַּבּ֛וּל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential
“After that the floodwaters/water kept getting deeper and deeper” or “The floodwaters/water kept coming”. Some translations begin this sentence without a conjunction. Do what is natural in your language. Also, notice that verses 17-20 talk about the forty days and nights that the flood kept getting deeper and deeper.
on the earth
Quote: עַל הָאָ֑רֶץ (1)“all over the earth”
for} forty days
Quote: אַרְבָּעִ֥ים י֖וֹם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“for forty days and forty nights,” For some languages it may be more natural to put this time phrase first in this sentence and say, “For forty days and forty nights the flood kept getting deeper and deeper all over the earth,” Do what is best in your language. Also see how you translated this phrase in verse 12.
and the waters increased
Quote: וַיִּרְבּ֣וּ הַמַּ֗יִם (1)“and as the water level rose,” or “As the water got deeper and deeper,”
and lifted the ark so that it rose up off the earth
Quote: וַיִּשְׂאוּ֙ אֶת הַתֵּבָ֔ה וַתָּ֖רָם מֵעַ֥ל הָאָֽרֶץ (1)“it lifted up the ark/boat so that it floated on the water high above the earth/ground.” or “it made the ark/boat lift/rise up off the ground and float.”
Genesis 7:18
And the waters rose
Quote: וַיִּגְבְּר֥וּ הַמַּ֛יִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases
“So the floodwaters continued to rise and get much deeper/higher” or “Yes, the floodwaters/water continued …” or “The floodwaters/water continued …” Verse 18 repeats some of verse 17 to emphasize what happened. Consider what is the best way to begin this sentence in your language.
on the earth
Quote: עַל הָאָ֑רֶץ (1)“all over the earth/world,”
and the ark went
Quote: וַתֵּ֥לֶךְ הַתֵּבָ֖ה (1)“but/while the ark/boat floated safely” or “so that the ark/boat moved/drifted about/along”
on the surface of the waters
Quote: עַל פְּנֵ֥י הַמָּֽיִם (1)“on the surface of the water.” or “on top of the water.” or “on the water.”
Genesis 7:19
And the waters rose very greatly on the earth
Quote: וְהַמַּ֗יִם גָּֽבְר֛וּ מְאֹ֥ד מְאֹ֖ד עַל הָאָ֑רֶץ (1)“At last, the waters became very deep on/over the earth/world, so that” or “Eventually the water became so high/deep on/over the earth/world that”
all the high mountains
Quote: כָּל הֶֽהָרִים֙ הַגְּבֹהִ֔ים (1)“even all the highest mountains”
that {were} under the entire heavens
Quote: אֲשֶׁר תַּ֖חַת כָּל הַשָּׁמָֽיִם (1)“everywhere under the sky”
so that … were covered
Quote: וַיְכֻסּ֗וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
“were covered with/by water.” or “were submerged in/under water.” or “were under water.” For some languages it is better to use an active form of the verb here and say, “Eventually the water became so deep on the earth that it even covered all the highest mountains under the entire sky.” Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 7:20
The waters rose fifteen cubits above {them
Quote: חֲמֵ֨שׁ עֶשְׂרֵ֤ה אַמָּה֙ מִלְמַ֔עְלָה גָּבְר֖וּ הַמָּ֑יִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bdistance
“In fact, the water rose at least seven meters above the tops of the highest mountains,” or “In fact, the highest mountain tops were covered with/by at least twenty-two feet of water,” See how you translated “cubits” in Gen 6:15-16.
so that the mountains were covered
Quote: וַיְכֻסּ֖וּ הֶהָרִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
“so that they were completely covered with/by water.” or “… completely submerged in/under water.” or “… completely under water.” See how you translated “were covered” in verse 19.
Genesis 7:21
all flesh
Quote: כָּל בָּשָׂ֣ר (1)“Then all the creatures/beings” or “Then every creature” or “Then every living thing”. This phrase refers to everything listed in verse 21, including people. See how you translated this phrase in Gen 6:17.
that moved on the earth
Quote: הָרֹמֵ֣שׂ עַל הָאָ֗רֶץ (1)“that moved/lived on the ground” or “that lived on land”
Then … expired
Quote: וַיִּגְוַ֞ע (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“breathed out its last breath,” or “died/perished,” See how you translated this idiom in Gen 6:17.
including the birds and the livestock
Quote: בָּע֤וֹף וּבַבְּהֵמָה֙ (1)“That included all the birds, the livestock,” or “including all the birds, the domestic/tame animals,” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
and the living things
Quote: וּבַ֣חַיָּ֔ה (1)The Hebrew text is ambiguous here. It could mean: (1) “and the other living things/creatures” or (2) “and the wild animals”
and all the swarming things swarming on the earth
Quote: וּבְכָל הַשֶּׁ֖רֶץ הַשֹּׁרֵ֣ץ עַל הָאָ֑רֶץ (1)“including every kind of creature/animal that lived in large groups/numbers on the earth,”
and all mankind
Quote: וְכֹ֖ל הָאָדָֽם (1)“in addition to all the human beings.” or “as well as all the people.”
Genesis 7:22
Everything that {had} the breath of the spirit of life in its nostrils
Quote: כֹּ֡ל אֲשֶׁר֩ נִשְׁמַת ר֨וּחַ חַיִּ֜ים בְּאַפָּ֗יו (1)“Every living creature/thing that breathed air”. See how you translated a similar phrase in verse 15.
everything that {lived} on dry land, died
Quote: מִכֹּ֛ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר בֶּחָֽרָבָ֖ה מֵֽתוּ (1)“and was/lived on dry land died.”
Genesis 7:23
So he wiped away
Quote: וַיִּ֜מַח (1)“That is how Yahweh washed away” or “In that way, Yahweh blotted out” or “… completely destroyed”. See how you translated this idiom in verse 4.
every living thing
Quote: אֶֽת כָּל הַיְק֣וּם (1)“every living creature” or “all living things/creatures”. See how you translated this phrase in verse 4.
that {was} on the surface of the ground
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל פְּנֵ֣י הָֽאֲדָמָ֗ה (1)“that was/lived on the surface of the earth,” or “that were/lived on the earth/land,” See how you translated “the surface of the ground” in verse 4.
including mankind
Quote: מֵאָדָ֤ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-key-terms
“including all mankind/people”. See how you translated “mankind” in verse 21.
and livestock and crawling creatures
Quote: עַד בְּהֵמָה֙ עַד רֶ֨מֶשׂ֙ (1)“and all the livestock and all the other creatures/animals that moved/lived on the ground/land” or “and all the animals, including smaller creatures/animals that crawl/move on/along the ground”
and also the birds of the sky
Quote: וְעַד ע֣וֹף הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם (1)“and also the birds that flew in the sky.” or “and also the birds.” Some languages leave out the phrase “of the sky” because it is not natural. Do what is best in your language.
So they were wiped off the earth
Quote: וַיִּמָּח֖וּ מִן הָאָ֑רֶץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“All of them were completely wiped/washed off the earth by Yahweh/God,” or “He/God completely destroyed them all from the earth,” or “Yes, he/God completely destroyed everything that lived on the earth,” See how you translated “wipe … off” in verse 4.
and only Noah was left
Quote: וַיִשָּׁ֧אֶר אַךְ נֹ֛חַ (1)“so that only Noah was left/still alive, along with” or “so that the only ones who were left/still alive were Noah and” or “Only Noah survived, along with”. Some translations leave out the first conjunction and begin a new sentence here. Do what is best in your language.
and {those} who {were} with him in the ark
Quote: וַֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר אִתּ֖וֹ בַּתֵּבָֽה (1)“and his family and the animals that were with him/them in the ark/boat.” or “along with his family …”
Genesis 7:24
And the waters prevailed over
Quote: וַיִּגְבְּר֥וּ הַמַּ֖יִם עַל (1)“Deep water continued to flood/cover” or “The floodwaters stayed/remained deep/high over”
the earth {for} 150 days
Quote: הָאָ֑רֶץ חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים וּמְאַ֖ת יֽוֹם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers
“the entire earth/world for 150 days.” See how you handled a large number in verse 6.
Genesis 8
Genesis 8:1
But God remembered
Quote: וַיִּזְכֹּ֤ר אֱלֹהִים֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“God kept in mind” or “But God did not forget” or “God never forgot”. The phrase “God remembered” is an idiom in the Bible that often means God was paying special attention to certain people and was about to do something. Make sure that the way you translate this phrase does not imply that God had forgotten about Noah.
Noah
Quote: אֶת נֹ֔חַ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“Noah and his family”. Noah is the person that the author is focusing on here, but Noah’s family is also included. Consider whether or not you need to make that explicit in your translation.
and all the living thing{s} and
Quote: וְאֵ֤ת כָּל הַֽחַיָּה֙ וְאֶת (1)In the Hebrew text this phrase is ambiguous. It could mean: (1) “and all the creatures/animals, including” or (2) “and all the wild animals and”. See how you translated “living thing” in Gen 7:14.
all the livestock that {were} with him in the ark
Quote: כָּל הַבְּהֵמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר אִתּ֖וֹ בַּתֵּבָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“all the domestic/tame animals that were with him/them in the ark/boat,” Some translations combine this phrase with the previous phrase and say, “and all the animals, both wild and tame/domestic, that were with him/them in the ark/boat.” Do what is best in your language.
and God caused a wind to pass over
Quote: וַיַּעֲבֵ֨ר אֱלֹהִ֥ים ר֨וּחַ֙ עַל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“and he sent a wind over” or “So God/he caused/sent a wind to blow over”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
the earth
Quote: הָאָ֔רֶץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“the water that was covering/over the earth,”
and the waters subsided
Quote: וַיָּשֹׁ֖כּוּ הַמָּֽיִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“so that the floodwaters/water started to recede/decrease.” or “so that the water level started to go down.” Notice that the floodwaters did not go all the way down until verse 14, so the way you translate this clause should allow for that.
Genesis 8:2
And the fountains of the deep and the windows of the heavens were closed
Quote: וַיִּסָּֽכְרוּ֙ מַעְיְנֹ֣ת תְּה֔וֹם וַֽאֲרֻבֹּ֖ת הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
“He also caused the fountains/springs in the deep ocean to stop gushing out water, and he caused the rain/water to stop pouring from the sky,” or “God/He also stopped the water from gushing out of springs/places at the bottom of the ocean, and the rain from pouring/coming from the heavens/sky,” See how you translated some of the same words and phrases in Gen 7:11.
and the rain from the heavens was stopped
Quote: וַיִּכָּלֵ֥א הַגֶּ֖שֶׁם מִן הַשָּׁמָֽיִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
“so that rain stopped falling/coming from the sky.” or “so that it stopped raining.” Consider whether it is better in your language to use an active or a passive verb here and in the previous clause.
Genesis 8:3
Then the waters receded steadily
Quote: וַיָּשֻׁ֧בוּ הַמַּ֛יִם & הָל֣וֹךְ וָשׁ֑וֹב (1)“Then the floodwaters/water steadily/gradually went down”
from the earth
Quote: מֵעַ֥ל הָאָ֖רֶץ (1)“from the surface of the land/ground,”
at} the end of the 150 days
Quote: מִקְצֵ֕ה חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים וּמְאַ֖ת יֽוֹם (1)“so that after the 150 days had passed,” or “After the 150 days had passed,” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here. Also make sure it is clear in your translation that the 150 days mentioned here in Gen 8:3 are the same 150 days mentioned in Gen 7:24, not two different periods of time.
the waters
Quote: הַמַּ֔יִם (1)“the water level” or “they/it”. Make sure the way you translate this phrase fits with the way you translated the beginning of the verse.
and {… had decreased
Quote: וַיַּחְסְר֣וּ (1)“had gone down,” or “had subsided,”
Genesis 8:4
so that … rested
Quote: וַתָּ֤נַח (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
“so much/far/low that”
in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month
Quote: בַּחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י בְּשִׁבְעָה עָשָׂ֥ר י֖וֹם לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“on the seventeenth day of the seventh month of the year,” See how you translated a similar time phrase in Gen 7:11.
so that … the ark rested
Quote: וַתָּ֤נַח הַתֵּבָה֙ (1)“the ark/boat came to rest” or “the ark/boat settled/landed”
on the mountains
Quote: עַ֖ל הָרֵ֥י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
“on a mountain” or “on one of the mountains”. The ark landed on one mountain in a mountain range.
of Ararat
Quote: אֲרָרָֽט (1)“in the land/region of Ararat.” or “in the Ararat mountain range.”
Genesis 8:5
And the waters
Quote: וְהַמַּ֗יִם (1)“Then the water/floodwaters” or “The water/floodwaters”
continued to decrease
Quote: הָיוּ֙ הָל֣וֹךְ וְחָס֔וֹר (1)“continued to go down/away” or “kept decreasing/subsiding”. See how you translated “decreased” in verse 3.
until the tenth month. In the tenth month, on the first of the month
Quote: עַ֖ד הַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הָֽעֲשִׂירִ֑י בָּֽעֲשִׂירִי֙ בְּאֶחָ֣ד לַחֹ֔דֶשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“until the tenth month of the year. On the first day of that month,” or “until on the first day of the tenth month of the year,” See how you translated a similar time phrase in verse 4.
the tops of the mountains
Quote: רָאשֵׁ֥י הֶֽהָרִֽים (1)“the peaks of the surrounding mountains” or “the mountaintops”
could be seen
Quote: נִרְא֖וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“could be seen above the water by Noah.” or “became visible above the water.” or “appeared above the surface of the water.”
Genesis 8:6
Then it happened {at} the end of forty days
Quote: וַֽיְהִ֕י מִקֵּ֖ץ אַרְבָּעִ֣ים י֑וֹם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent
“After forty more days had passed,” The phrase “Then it happened” focuses attention on what happens next, and it builds suspense so that readers and listeners wonder what the outcome will be. Some translations leave this phrase out, but that loses some of the suspense. Do what is best in your language.
that Noah opened the window
Quote: וַיִּפְתַּ֣ח נֹ֔חַ אֶת חַלּ֥וֹן (1)“Noah opened a window”. It is not clear when Noah made this window. It may refer to the opening around the top of the walls of the ark (Gen 6:16) or a different window that he made sometime later.
of the ark that he had made
Quote: הַתֵּבָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשָֽׂה (1)“that he had made in the ark/boat,”
Genesis 8:7
and he sent out
Quote: וַיְשַׁלַּ֖ח (1)“and he released” or “and he set free”
the raven
Quote: אֶת הָֽעֹרֵ֑ב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknowns
“a large black bird called a raven”. A raven is a large, black scavenger bird that eats whatever it finds, including dead animals. If the people in your language area are not familiar with ravens, you could make a comparison to a similar bird that they are familiar with and say, “a large black bird like a …” Or you could include a footnote that explains what a raven is.
and it kept flying out and returning
Quote: וַיֵּצֵ֤א יָצוֹא֙ וָשׁ֔וֹב (1)“which kept/continued flying back and forth outside the ark/boat” or “but it kept flying around outside the ark/boat”
until the waters
Quote: עַד & הַמַּ֖יִם (1)“until the water/floodwaters”
dried up from the earth
Quote: יְבֹ֥שֶׁת & מֵעַ֥ל הָאָֽרֶץ (1)“had dried up more from the ground/land.” This phrase refers to the ground/land (as verse 8 confirms), not the entire planet.
Genesis 8:8
Then he sent out
Quote: וַיְשַׁלַּ֥ח (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous
“Then/Meanwhile he/Noah also sent out” or “Then/Meanwhile he/Noah also released”. The events in verse 8 happened while the raven was still flying back and forth (verse 7). Consider what conjunction best communicates that in your language.
the dove from him
Quote: אֶת הַיּוֹנָ֖ה מֵאִתּ֑וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
“a dove that was with him” or “a dove from the ark/boat” or “a small bird called a dove”. A dove is a small, white or gray bird that makes a cooing sound. If doves are unknown in your language area, you could make a comparison to a similar bird they are familiar with and say, “a small white/gray bird like a …” Or you could include a footnote that explains what a dove is.
to see if the waters had subsided
Quote: לִרְאוֹת֙ הֲקַ֣לּוּ הַמַּ֔יִם (1)“to find out if/whether the floodwaters/water had receded”
from the surface of the ground
Quote: מֵעַ֖ל פְּנֵ֥י הָֽאֲדָמָֽה (1)“from the surface of the land.” or “from the ground/land.”
Genesis 8:9
But the dove did not find
Quote: וְלֹֽא־מָצְאָה֩ הַיּוֹנָ֨ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“But the dove could not find” or “But it was not able to find”. Consider what is the best way to refer to the dove at this point in the paragraph in your language.
a resting place for the sole of its feet
Quote: מָנ֜וֹחַ לְכַף רַגְלָ֗הּ (1)“anywhere to land/perch and rest,” In Hebrew the word “dove” is grammatically a feminine noun (for both male and female doves), so some translations say “her feet … she returned …” here. For languages such as English that do not assign grammatical gender to nouns, it is more accurate to use “its” and “it” here, because it is not known whether this dove was male or female. Do what is best in your language.
so it returned
Quote: וַתָּ֤שָׁב (1)“So/Then it returned” or “So/Then the dove flew back”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
to him in the ark
Quote: אֵלָיו֙ אֶל הַתֵּבָ֔ה (1)“flew back to him/Noah in/at the ark/boat,”
because the waters {were} over the surface of the entire earth
Quote: כִּי מַ֖יִם עַל פְּנֵ֣י כָל הָאָ֑רֶץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“because water was still covering the entire earth/world.” Some languages may have to switch the clause order in this verse and say, “But water was still covering the entire earth/world, so the dove did/could not find a resting place for its feet. Then it returned to Noah at the boat, and he/Noah reached …” Do what is best in your language.
And he reached out his hand
Quote: וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח יָדוֹ֙ (1)“Then/So he/Noah reached out” or “and he/Noah reached out”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
and took it and brought it
Quote: וַיִּקָּחֶ֔הָ וַיָּבֵ֥א אֹתָ֛הּ (1)“caught it, and brought it”
to him into the ark
Quote: אֵלָ֖יו אֶל הַתֵּבָֽה (1)“back to himself in the ark/boat.” or “back into the ark/boat.”
Genesis 8:10
Then he waited
Quote: וַיָּ֣חֶל ע֔וֹד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases
“He/Noah waited”. Consider whether it is better in your language to begin this sentence with or without a conjunction.
another seven days
Quote: שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִ֖ים אֲחֵרִ֑ים (1)“seven more days,”
and again sent out the dove from the ark
Quote: וַיֹּ֛סֶף שַׁלַּ֥ח אֶת הַיּוֹנָ֖ה מִן הַתֵּבָֽה (1)“then he sent the dove out from the ark/boat another time.” or “then he released the dove from the ark/boat again.”
Genesis 8:11
Then the dove returned to him at evening time
Quote: וַתָּבֹ֨א אֵלָ֤יו הַיּוֹנָה֙ לְעֵ֣ת עֶ֔רֶב (1)“That evening the dove returned to him/Noah,” or “When it was evening, the dove returned to him/Noah,”
and behold
Quote: וְהִנֵּ֥ה (1)“and surprisingly,” or “and he/Noah saw that”
there was} a freshly picked olive leaf in its mouth
Quote: עֲלֵה זַ֖יִת טָרָ֣ף בְּפִ֑יהָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
“it was holding a newly picked green leaf from an olive tree in its mouth/beak.” or “the dove had a green leaf in its mouth/beak that it had just picked/taken from an olive tree.” An olive tree produces small, oval, green fruit that has a hard pit. Olives are used for food and as a source of cooking oil. If olive trees are unknown in your language area, you could include a footnote about them.
So Noah knew
Quote: וַיֵּ֣דַע נֹ֔חַ (1)“Then Noah realized” or “That is how Noah/he knew/realized”
that the waters
Quote: כִּי & הַמַּ֖יִם (1)“that the water/floodwaters”
had subsided
Quote: קַ֥לּוּ (1)“had receded” or “had gone down more/further”. See how you translated “subsided” in verse 8, and how you translated three other Hebrew words with similar meanings In verses 1, 3, and 5.
from the earth
Quote: מֵעַ֥ל הָאָֽרֶץ (1)“from the ground/land.” See how you translated this phrase in verse 7.
Genesis 8:12
Then he waited another seven days, and he sent out the dove
Quote: וַיִּיָּ֣חֶל ע֔וֹד שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִ֖ים אֲחֵרִ֑ים וַיְשַׁלַּח֙ אֶת־הַיּוֹנָ֔ה (1)“He waited another seven days, then he released the dove again,” or “After he waited seven more days, he released the dove again,” See how you translated “sent out” in verses 7, 8, and 10.
but it did not return to him again
Quote: וְלֹֽא יָסְפָ֥ה שׁוּב אֵלָ֖יו עֽוֹד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“but this time it did not come/fly back to him again because it found a dry place to land/live.” Remember to only make implied information explicit in a translation if it helps readers’ understanding or if it is necessary to prevent wrong meaning or incorrect grammar.
Genesis 8:13
So it happened
Quote: וַֽ֠יְהִי (1)“So it happened that” or “So it was,”
in the six hundred and first year
Quote: בְּאַחַ֨ת וְשֵׁשׁ־מֵא֜וֹת שָׁנָ֗ה (1)“In his/Noah’s 601st year,” or “when Noah was 601 years old,” See how you translated a similar phrase in Gen 7:11.
in the first {month}, on the first {day} of the month
Quote: בָּֽרִאשׁוֹן֙ בְּאֶחָ֣ד לַחֹ֔דֶשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
“in the first month of the year, on the first day of the month,” or “on the first day of the first month of the year,”
the waters were drying up
Quote: חָֽרְב֥וּ הַמַּ֖יִם (1)“the water was drying up” or “the water had almost dried up”. Make sure your translation of this phrase fits with the fact that the ground was not yet dry enough to get out of the ark. That did not happen until the end of the second month (verse 14).
from the earth
Quote: מֵעַ֣ל הָאָ֑רֶץ (1)“from the ground/land.”
Then Noah removed
Quote: וַיָּ֤סַר נֹ֨חַ֙ (1)“So Noah/he took off part of” or “made an opening in”
the covering of the ark
Quote: אֶת מִכְסֵ֣ה הַתֵּבָ֔ה (1)“the roof that was covering the ark/boat” or “the roof of the ark/boat”
and looked
Quote: וַיַּ֕רְא (1)“and looked around/out,”
and behold
Quote: וְהִנֵּ֥ה (1)“and indeed,” or “and he saw that”. See how you translated this phrase in verse 11.
the surface of the ground
Quote: פְּנֵ֥י הָֽאֲדָמָֽה (1)“the land’s surface” or “the ground/land”
was drying
Quote: חָֽרְב֖וּ (1)“was drying off.” or “was almost dry.”
Genesis 8:14
Then in the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month
Quote: וּבַחֹ֨דֶשׁ֙ הַשֵּׁנִ֔י בְּשִׁבְעָ֧ה וְעֶשְׂרִ֛ים י֖וֹם לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ (1)“Then by the twenty-seventh day of the second month of the year,” See how you translated similar time phrases in verses 4, 5, and 13.
the earth
Quote: הָאָֽרֶץ (1)“the land/ground”. Notice that the land/ground was dry here, not the entire earth. Consider again how you translated this phrase in verses 3, 7, 11, 13-14.
was dry
Quote: יָבְשָׁ֖ה (1)“had dried off.” In this context “dry” means that the ground was dry enough to walk on and live on without getting stuck in mud. Make sure your translation does not imply that it was so dry that nothing would grow on it (like a desert).
Genesis 8:15
Then God said to Noah, saying
Quote: וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶל נֹ֥חַ לֵאמֹֽר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“Then/So God said to Noah,” or “Then God commanded Noah,” See how you translated “said to Noah” in Gen 7:1.
Genesis 8:16
Go out of the ark
Quote: צֵ֖א מִן הַתֵּבָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go
“Come out of/from the ark/boat” or “Disembark from the ark/boat”. Consider whether “come” or “go” is more natural here in your language. Also, some languages have a special term for getting off a boat that fits well here. Do what is best in your language.
you and your wife
Quote: אַתָּ֕ה וְאִשְׁתְּךָ֛ (1)“together with” or “with”
and your wife and your sons
Quote: וְאִשְׁתְּךָ֛ וּבָנֶ֥יךָ (1)“your wife, your sons,”
and the wives of your sons with you
Quote: וּנְשֵֽׁי בָנֶ֖יךָ אִתָּֽךְ (1)“and your sons’ wives.” or “and their wives.”
Genesis 8:17
Bring out with you
Quote: הוצא אִתָּ֑ךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go
“Bring/Take with you” or “Bring/Take out”. Consider whether “bring” or “take” is more natural here in your language.
every living thing that {is
Quote: כָּל הַחַיָּ֨ה אֲשֶֽׁר (1)“all the living things/creatures that are” or “all the animals that are”
with you
Quote: ־אִתְּךָ֜ (1)“with you in the ark/boat,” or “in the ark/boat,”
all flesh
Quote: מִכָּל בָּשָׂ֗ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
“all the animals,” or “all of them,” See how you translated “flesh” in Gen 7:15-16.
including the birds and the livestock
Quote: בָּע֧וֹף וּבַבְּהֵמָ֛ה (1)“including the birds, domestic/tame animals,”
and every moving creature moving
Quote: וּבְכָל הָרֶ֛מֶשׂ הָרֹמֵ֥שׂ (1)In the Hebrew text this phrase is ambiguous. It could mean: (1) “and every other creature/animal that moves/lives”, which seems to fit this context best since it is general and includes all the land animals that were not birds or livestock; or (2) “and every creature/animal that crawls”, which is more specific and refers to animals like lizards, snakes, mice, and other animals that have bodies that are close to the ground.
on the earth
Quote: עַל הָאָ֖רֶץ (1)“on the ground,” or “on land,”
so that they will abound on the earth
Quote: וְשָֽׁרְצ֣וּ בָאָ֔רֶץ (1)“Then they will/can live/spread all over the earth/world”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
and be fruitful
Quote: וּפָר֥וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
“yes, they will have many offspring/young”. The rest of verse 17 forms a parallelism with “abound on the earth” that emphasizes filling the earth again with animals. Make sure your translation does not sound like this refers to separate events.
and multiply
Quote: וְרָב֖וּ (1)“and increase in number” or “and become very numerous/many”. See how you translated “be fruitful” and “multiply” in Gen 1:22, 28.
over the earth
Quote: עַל הָאָֽרֶץ (1)“all over the earth/world.” or “throughout the earth.”
Genesis 8:18
Then Noah went out
Quote: וַיֵּ֖צֵא נֹ֑חַ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go
“Then/So Noah went/came out of the ark/boat,” or “Then/So Noah disembarked from the ark/boat,” or “Then/So Noah got off the ark/boat,”
and his sons and his wife and the wives of his sons with him
Quote: וּבָנָ֛יו וְאִשְׁתּ֥וֹ וּנְשֵֽׁי בָנָ֖יו אִתּֽוֹ (1)“and his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives went with him.” or “along/together with his wife and his sons and their wives.” See how you translated this list of Noah’s family members (and similar lists) in Gen 6:18; 7:7, 13; 8:16. Notice that the order of the people in this list varies in the Hebrew text, perhaps depending on who is in focus in each context.
Genesis 8:19
Every living thing
Quote: כָּל הַֽחַיָּ֗ה (1)“Every living creature,” or “All the animals,”
every crawling thing
Quote: כָּל הָרֶ֨מֶשׂ֙ (1)“including every animal/creature that crawls” or “including all the animals/creatures that crawl”
and every bird
Quote: וְכָל הָע֔וֹף (1)“and all the birds”
everything
Quote: כֹּ֖ל (1)“yes, every creature” or “and everything else”
moving on the earth
Quote: רוֹמֵ֣שׂ עַל הָאָ֑רֶץ (1)“that moves/lives on the ground,” or “that lives on land,” This phrase refers here to the land, not the entire planet earth. See how you translated this phrase in verse 17.
went out of the ark
Quote: יָצְא֖וּ מִן־הַתֵּבָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go
“also went/came out of the ark/boat”. Consider again how you translated “go/come out” and “went/came out” and “bring/take out” in verses 16-19. Notice that your choices are affected by your perspective: whether the viewpoint is from inside the ark or whether the viewpoint is from outside the ark. Do what is natural in your language.
by their families
Quote: לְמִשְׁפְּחֹ֣תֵיהֶ֔ם (1)“grouped by their kinds.” or “in groups of their own kind.” or “one family/kind after another.”
Genesis 8:20
Then Noah built an altar
Quote: וַיִּ֥בֶן נֹ֛חַ מִזְבֵּ֖חַ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-key-terms
“Then Noah built/made an altar out of large stones” or “Then Noah built/made a sacrifice table/mound with large stones”. An altar was an elevated, often table-shaped structure made out of stones where certain animals and crops were burned as sacrifices to God.
to Yahweh
Quote: לַֽיהוָ֑ה (1)“to offer sacrifices to Yahweh,” or “dedicated to Yahweh,” or “to worship Yahweh,”
and he took
Quote: וַיִּקַּ֞ח (1)“Then/Next he selected/chose”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
from every clean animal and from every clean bird
Quote: מִכֹּ֣ל הַבְּהֵמָ֣ה הַטְּהוֹרָ֗ה וּמִכֹּל֙ הָע֣וֹף הַטָּהֹ֔ר (1)“some/one from/of every kind of clean/pure animal and some/one of every kind of clean/pure bird,” or “some/one from/of every kind of animal and bird that are acceptable to sacrifice”. In the Bible, a “clean” animal or bird is one that is acceptable to be sacrificed to God or eaten; it does not refer to how clean the animal or bird was physically. See how you translated this term in Gen 7:2, 8.
and he offered burnt offerings on the altar
Quote: וַיַּ֥עַל עֹלֹ֖ת בַּמִּזְבֵּֽחַ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“and he killed them and offered/sacrificed them as burnt offerings to Yahweh on the altar.” or “and he killed them and burned their bodies on the altar as offerings/gifts to Yahweh to worship/honor/thank him.” When animals were sacrificed, they were killed first, not burned alive. Consider whether or not you need to make that information explicit in your translation.
Genesis 8:21
And Yahweh smelled the pleasant aroma
Quote: וַיָּ֣רַח יְהוָה֮ אֶת רֵ֣יחַ הַנִּיחֹחַ֒ (1)“Yahweh smelled the pleasant/sweet aroma/smell of the sacrifices,” or “When Yahweh smelled the aroma of the sacrifices, he was pleased,”
and Yahweh said in his heart
Quote: וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֜ה אֶל־לִבּ֗וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“and/so he said/thought to himself,” Consider whether or not your language has this idiom or a similar idiom that would work well here.
Never again will I curse the ground
Quote: לֹֽא־אֹ֠סִף לְקַלֵּ֨ל ע֤וֹד אֶת־הָֽאֲדָמָה֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-key-terms
“I will never again curse/devastate the ground/earth”. Make sure that your translation of “curse” does not imply the use of magic.
because of mankind
Quote: בַּעֲב֣וּר הָֽאָדָ֔ם (1)“because of mankind’s sins,” or “to punish mankind for their sins,”
though the inclination of mankind’s hearts {is} evil
Quote: כִּ֠י יֵ֣צֶר לֵ֧ב הָאָדָ֛ם רַ֖ע (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“even though the intentions/desires of their hearts/minds/thinking are evil” or “even though everything they desire is evil”. See how you translated “inclination” in a similar phrase in Gen 6:5.
from their youth
Quote: מִנְּעֻרָ֑יו (1)“from youth/childhood onward.” or “from the time they are young/children.”
And never again will I
Quote: וְלֹֽא אֹסִ֥ף ע֛וֹד (1)“I will never again” or “Nor will I ever again”
strike
Quote: לְהַכּ֥וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“destroy/annihilate/kill”. Consider whether your language has this idiom or a similar idiom that fits well here.
every living {thing
Quote: אֶת כָּל חַ֖י (1)“every living creature” or “all living things/creatures”
as I have done
Quote: כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר עָשִֽׂיתִי (1)“as I just did.” or “the way I just did.”
Genesis 8:22
While all of the days of the earth continue
Quote: עֹ֖ד כָּל יְמֵ֣י הָאָ֑רֶץ (1)“As long as the earth still exists/lasts,”
seed time
Quote: זֶ֡רַע (1)“seed-planting time/season” or “the time/season for planting seeds”
and harvest
Quote: וְ֠קָצִיר (1)“and harvest time/season,” or “the time/season for harvesting/gathering crops”
and cold and heat
Quote: וְקֹ֨ר וָחֹ֜ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
“cold weather/season and hot weather/season,” These terms form a parallelism with “summer and winter”. If possible, it is best to keep both parts of the parallelism in your translation since each part has a different emphasis.
and summer and winter
Quote: וְקַ֧יִץ וָחֹ֛רֶף (1)“summer and winter,” The seasons of summer and winter may be described differently depending on which part of the world your language area is located in. For example, some translations might use the terms “dry season” and “rainy/wet season,” depending on what best corresponds to summer and winter in that area.
will not cease
Quote: לֹ֥א יִשְׁבֹּֽתוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“will never cease/stop.” or “will always continue to happen/occur each year.” It may be more natural to change the order of this sentence and say, “As long as the earth exists, each year there will always be a season/time to plant seeds and a season/time to harvest crops, as well as cold weather and hot weather, winter and summer, and day and night.” Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 9
Genesis 9:1
Then God blessed Noah and his sons
Quote: וַיְבָ֣רֶךְ אֱלֹהִ֔ים אֶת נֹ֖חַ וְאֶת בָּנָ֑יו (1)“Then God showed favor to Noah and his sons” or “Then God caused Noah and his sons to prosper/flourish”. See how you translated “blessed” in Gen 1:22, 28.
and said to them
Quote: וַיֹּ֧אמֶר לָהֶ֛ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“by saying to them,” or “by saying,” or “He said,” The phrase “blessed … and said” is a Hebrew expression that refers to one event and emphasizes it. It does not refer to two separate events. The words of the blessing are in verses 1-7. See how you translated this phrase in Gen 1:28.
Be fruitful
Quote: פְּר֥וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“Bear/Have many children” or “You will bear/have many children”
and multiply
Quote: וּרְב֖וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goal
“so that you and your descendants will multiply/increase greatly in number” or “so that you and your descendants will become very numerous/many”. See how you translated “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth” in Gen 1:28.
and fill the earth
Quote: וּמִלְא֥וּ אֶת הָאָֽרֶץ (1)“and fill the earth with people.” or “and inhabit the whole earth.” or “and live/spread all over the earth/world.”
Genesis 9:2
And the fear of you and the dread of you will be on every living thing of the earth
Quote: וּמוֹרַאֲכֶ֤ם וְחִתְּכֶם֙ יִֽהְיֶ֔ה עַ֚ל כָּל חַיַּ֣ת הָאָ֔רֶץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
“Every living thing/creature on the earth will be afraid and terrified of you,” or “All the animals on earth will be very/terribly afraid of you,” The phrase “the fear … and the dread” repeats the same idea in two different ways to emphasize how afraid the creatures will be. For some languages it may be better to combine the phrase and say “very afraid/terrified”. Do what is best in your language.
including on every bird of
Quote: וְעַ֖ל כָּל ע֣וֹף (1)“including every bird that flies in the sky/air,” or “including all the birds that fly in the sky/air,” The birds, moving creatures, and fish are all included in the general category of living creatures. Consider again how you translated “birds of the sky” in the book of Genesis; see Gen 1:26, 28, 30; 2:19-20; 6:7; 7:3, 23; 9:2.
on everything that moves
Quote: בְּכֹל֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר תִּרְמֹ֧שׂ (1)“along with every creature/animal that moves/lives on land” or “as well as all creatures/animals that move/live on land,”
on the ground
Quote: הָֽאֲדָמָ֛ה (1)“on land,”
and on all the fish of the sea
Quote: וּֽבְכָל דְּגֵ֥י הַיָּ֖ם (1)“and all the fish in the sea/ocean.”
Into your hand they are given
Quote: בְּיֶדְכֶ֥ם נִתָּֽנוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“I have put them all under your authority.” or “I have put you in charge of them all.” The phrase “into your hand” means God was again giving mankind the responsibility to manage and control all the rest of what God had created. Consider whether your language has a similar idiom that would work well here.
Genesis 9:3
Every moving creature that lives
Quote: כָּל רֶ֨מֶשׂ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הוּא חַ֔י (1)“From now on every kind of living creature/thing that moves” or “From now on every creature/animal that is alive and moves”. See how you translated “every moving creature” in Gen 1:26, and see the note about that there. It may be necessary to translate this phrase in different ways in different contexts.
will be for you for food
Quote: לָכֶ֥ם יִהְיֶ֖ה לְאָכְלָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“is yours to eat as food.” or “is available for you to eat as food.” For some languages it is more natural to change the order of this sentence and say, “You may now have/eat any kind of living creature that moves, for food.” or “I now permit you to eat every/any kind of living creature that moves.” Do what is best in your language.
Just as the green plants
Quote: כְּיֶ֣רֶק עֵ֔שֶׂב (1)“green plants for food,” or “plants to eat,” Consider again how you translated “green plants” in Gen 1:30, and how you translated “plants” in Gen 1:11-12, 29; 2:5; 3:18; 9:3.
I give you everything
Quote: נָתַ֥תִּי לָכֶ֖ם אֶת כֹּֽל (1)“now I give/provide you everything for food.” or “so now I permit you to eat everything.” or “so now I permit you to eat both plants and animals.” Make sure that the way you translate this phrase means that God is now permitting people to eat both plants and animals.
Genesis 9:4
But
Quote: אַךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-exceptions
“However,” God is putting a limit on the way that people may eat meat.
you must not eat flesh
Quote: בָּשָׂ֕ר & לֹ֥א תֹאכֵֽלוּ (1)“you must never eat animal flesh/meat”
with its life, {that is,} its blood
Quote: בְּנַפְשׁ֥וֹ דָמ֖וֹ (1)“that still has its life in it, which is in its blood.” or “with its blood in it, which made it live.” or “that still has its lifeblood in it.” Since life is in the blood, God did not want people to eat meat that still had its blood in it. Rather he wanted them to drain it out first before they cooked it (also see Deuteronomy 12:16, 23). You could put that information in a footnote.
Genesis 9:5
And surely I will demand your blood for your lives
Quote: וְאַ֨ךְ אֶת דִּמְכֶ֤ם לְנַפְשֹֽׁתֵיכֶם֙ אֶדְרֹ֔שׁ (1)“Also, I will definitely require an accounting/reckoning for your lifeblood.” or “Also, I definitely require that anyone who murders someone must die.”
From the hand of every living thing
Quote: מִיַּ֥ד כָּל חַיָּ֖ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
“From every/any animal that kills a person” or “In fact, if any animal kills a human being,” In this verse, the phrase “the hand of” refers to the animal or the person that is responsible for killing someone.
I will demand it
Quote: אֶדְרְשֶׁ֑נּוּ (1)“I will demand/require its blood/life,” or “I require it to be killed,” or “I demand/require that it must die,”
and from the hand of mankind
Quote: וּמִיַּ֣ד הָֽאָדָ֗ם (1)“That is also true for human beings:” or “and that is also true for human beings.” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
from the hand of a man {who kills
Quote: מִיַּד֙ אִ֣ישׁ (1)“If a man/person kills/murders” or “If anyone kills/murders”
his brother
Quote: אָחִ֔יו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
“his/a fellow human being,” or “another person,” This phrase is used here as a general reference to any human being, not just biological brothers.
I will demand the life of the man
Quote: אֶדְרֹ֖שׁ אֶת נֶ֥פֶשׁ הָֽאָדָֽם (1)“I require him to be executed/killed.” or “I demand/require that he must die.”
Genesis 9:6
The one shedding
Quote: שֹׁפֵךְ֙ (1)“That’s right, whoever” or “Yes/Indeed, if anyone/someone”. The first half of verse 6 repeats and summarizes verse 5.
The one shedding the blood of
Quote: שֹׁפֵךְ֙ דַּ֣ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“That’s right, whoever spills the blood of” or “Yes/Indeed, if anyone/someone kills/murders” or “Whoever takes the life of”. The first half of verse 6 repeats and summarizes verse 5. The phrase “sheds the blood of” is an idiom that means to deliberately kill someone. Blood is an important concept in this passage and throughout the Bible so, if possible, it is best to keep this term in a translation. If that is not possible, you should put the literal text in a footnote.
a man
Quote: הָֽאָדָ֔ם (1)“a person,” or “another human being,” or “someone,”
by mankind his blood must be shed
Quote: בָּֽאָדָ֖ם דָּמ֣וֹ יִשָּׁפֵ֑ךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“people/you must execute him,” or “people/you must put him to death,” or “he must be executed,” For some languages it is more natural to put this clause first in this verse and say, “That’s right, you must put to death anyone who murders a human being, because I, God, made human beings in my own image.” Do what is best in your language.
because in the image of God he made mankind
Quote: כִּ֚י בְּצֶ֣לֶם אֱלֹהִ֔ים עָשָׂ֖ה אֶת הָאָדָֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
“because I, God made/created mankind/people in my own image.” or “because I created human beings to be like myself.” Make sure it is clear in your translation that God is referring to himself in this clause. See how you translated a similar clause in Gen 1:27.
Genesis 9:7
And you
Quote: וְאַתֶּ֖ם (1)“And/Now as for you,” or “As for you,” In the Hebrew text, the pronoun “you” is emphatic and has an emphatic position in the sentence (before the verb) to introduce a new topic. Consider what is the best way in your language to begin a new paragraph like this.
be fruitful
Quote: פְּר֣וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“bear/have many children”. See how you translated “be fruitful and multiply” in verse 1.
and multiply
Quote: וּרְב֑וּ (1)“so that you and your descendants become very numerous/many.” or “so that you have many descendants.”
Abound on the earth
Quote: שִׁרְצ֥וּ בָאָ֖רֶץ (1)“Spread out all over the earth” or “Live all over the earth”
and multiply
Quote: וּרְבוּ (1)“and multiply/increase in numbers” or “and become numerous”
on it
Quote: בָֽהּ (1)“throughout it.” or “everywhere.”
Genesis 9:8
Then God said
Quote: וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֱלֹהִים֙ (1)“Then God continued speaking”
to Noah and to his sons with him, saying
Quote: אֶל נֹ֔חַ וְאֶל בָּנָ֥יו אִתּ֖וֹ לֵאמֹֽר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“to Noah and his sons who were with him, and said,” or “to Noah and his sons,” or “to them,” God is still speaking to the same people. This phrase emphasizes what he says next to them.
Genesis 9:9
And I, behold, I
Quote: וַאֲנִ֕י הִנְנִ֥י (1)“Now listen carefully to me: I” or “Listen carefully to me: I” See how you translated “behold” in Gen 1:29, 4:14, 6:13, 17. It may be necessary to translate this term in different ways, depending on the context.
am establishing
Quote: מֵקִ֛ים (1)“am making/instituting” or “am setting up”. See how you translated “establish my covenant with” in Gen 6:18, and see the note about that there.
my covenant with you and with your offspring after you
Quote: אֶת בְּרִיתִ֖י אִתְּכֶ֑ם וְאֶֽת זַרְעֲכֶ֖ם אַֽחֲרֵיכֶֽם (1)“my/a special/peace covenant/agreement with you and your offspring/descendants who come/live after you,” or “my/a covenant/agreement between me and you and your offspring/descendants,” Notice that the pronouns “you” and “your” are plural throughout verses 2-15, since God is speaking to Noah and his sons.
Genesis 9:10
and with
Quote: וְאֵ֨ת (1)“along with” or “It is also with” or “The covenant/agreement is also with”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to break up this long sentence and begin a new sentence here.
every living creature that {is} with you
Quote: כָּל נֶ֤פֶשׁ הַֽחַיָּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אִתְּכֶ֔ם (1)“all the living creatures that are with you:”
with the birds, with the livestock
Quote: בָּע֧וֹף בַּבְּהֵמָ֛ה (1)“including the birds, the livestock,”
and with every living thing of the earth
Quote: וּֽבְכָל חַיַּ֥ת הָאָ֖רֶץ (1)“and all the other living things/creatures from/on the earth” or “and all the wild animals”
with you
Quote: אִתְּכֶ֑ם (1)“that are with you,”
from all that came out of the ark
Quote: מִכֹּל֙ יֹצְאֵ֣י הַתֵּבָ֔ה (1)“That includes all those that came/went out of the ark”. The words “from … to …” are used to emphasize that all the animals are included in God’s covenant. Consider what is the best way to express that in your language.
to every living thing
Quote: לְכֹ֖ל חַיַּ֥ת (1)“and all the living things/creatures” or “and all the creatures/animals”
of the earth
Quote: הָאָֽרֶץ (1)“that live on the earth.” or “that will ever live on the earth.”
Genesis 9:11
And I am establishing my covenant with you
Quote: וַהֲקִמֹתִ֤י אֶת בְּרִיתִי֙ אִתְּכֶ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-key-terms
“My/The covenant/agreement that I am establishing/making/instituting with you is that”. See how you translated “my covenant” and “establish” in verse 9.
that never again … all flesh
Quote: וְלֹֽא & כָּל בָּשָׂ֛ר ע֖וֹד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
“never again will all life” or “never again will all living creatures/things”. The phrase “all flesh” refers here to all people and animals.
will … be cut off
Quote: יִכָּרֵ֧ת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
“be killed/destroyed by” or “be wiped out by” or “die from”
by the waters of a flood
Quote: מִמֵּ֣י הַמַּבּ֑וּל (1)“water from a flood,” or “a flood,” See how you translated a similar phrase in Gen 7:10.
and never again will there be a flood
Quote: וְלֹֽא יִהְיֶ֥ה ע֛וֹד מַבּ֖וּל (1)“That’s right, never again will I use/cause a flood” or “I promise that I will never again use/cause a flood”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
to destroy
Quote: לְשַׁחֵ֥ת (1)“that destroys”. See how you translated “destroying” in Gen 6:13.
the earth
Quote: הָאָֽרֶץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“life/everything on the earth.” or “all living creatures on the earth.” This phrase refers here to everything that lives on the earth.
Genesis 9:12
Then God said
Quote: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֗ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“Then God also said to them,” or “Then God added/continued,” or “Then God continued talking/speaking to Noah and his sons,” God is still talking to the same people, but a quote margin (“Then God said”) is added here to emphasize the new topic (“the sign of the covenant”). For some languages it is more natural to leave this quote margin implied and just have a paragraph break. See what you did for a similar case in verse 8.
This {is} the sign of the covenant that I am making
Quote: זֹ֤את אֽוֹת הַבְּרִית֙ אֲשֶׁר אֲנִ֣י נֹתֵ֗ן (1)“This is the sign which shows that I promise to always keep the covenant/agreement that I am making/establishing” or “This is how I will show/remind everyone that I have made/established this covenant/agreement”
between me and you and every living creature that {is} with you
Quote: בֵּינִי֙ וּבֵ֣ינֵיכֶ֔ם וּבֵ֛ין כָּל נֶ֥פֶשׁ חַיָּ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר אִתְּכֶ֑ם (1)“with you and with all the living creatures that are with you,”
for generations forever
Quote: לְדֹרֹ֖ת עוֹלָֽם (1)“for all future generations:” or “and with all generations to come:” or “as well as with all the people and creatures/animals that will ever live:”
Genesis 9:13
I have set my rainbow
Quote: אֶת קַשְׁתִּ֕י נָתַ֖תִּי (1)“I have/will put my rainbow” or “I am setting/putting/placing my rainbow”
in the clouds
Quote: בֶּֽעָנָ֑ן (1)“among the clouds in the sky,”
and it will be the sign of
Quote: וְהָֽיְתָה֙ לְא֣וֹת (1)“where it will show/remind everyone” or “to show/remind everyone” or “and/where it will serve/function as the sign which shows”. See how you translated “the sign of the covenant” in verse 12.
the covenant between me and
Quote: בְּרִ֔ית בֵּינִ֖י וּבֵ֥ין (1)“that I have made/established my/this covenant/agreement with” or “that I promise/vow/pledge to always keep my/this covenant/agreement with”
the earth
Quote: הָאָֽרֶץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“every living thing on the earth.” or “every creature that lives on the earth.” This phrase refers here to mankind and all the animals. See how you translated the same phrase in verse 11.
Genesis 9:14
And it will be when I bring clouds
Quote: וְהָיָ֕ה בְּעַֽנְנִ֥י עָנָ֖ן (1)“So it will be/happen that whenever I bring/gather clouds together” or “So whenever I cause clouds to form/appear”
over the earth
Quote: עַל הָאָ֑רֶץ (1)“in the sky over/above the earth”
and the rainbow is seen in the clouds
Quote: וְנִרְאֲתָ֥ה הַקֶּ֖שֶׁת בֶּעָנָֽן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
“and the/a rainbow appears/forms among the clouds,” or “and you see the/a rainbow in/among the clouds,” Consider whether it is better in your language to use a passive or active verb here.
Genesis 9:15
then I will remember my covenant
Quote: וְזָכַרְתִּ֣י אֶת בְּרִיתִ֗י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“then I will remember and keep my/the covenant/agreement” or “then I will not forget to keep/fulfill my/the covenant/treaty”. See how you translated “remember” in Gen 8:1. It may need to be translated differently in different contexts.
that {is} between me and you
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֤ר בֵּינִי֙ וּבֵ֣ינֵיכֶ֔ם (1)“that I have established/made between me and you” or “that I have established/made with you”
and every living creature of all flesh
Quote: וּבֵ֛ין כָּל נֶ֥פֶשׁ חַיָּ֖ה בְּכָל בָּשָׂ֑ר (1)The Hebrew text is ambiguous here. It could mean: (1) “and all living creatures of every kind,” or “and all the animals, including all the different kinds,” or (2) “and all other living creatures, including all people and animals,”
and never again will waters become a flood to destroy
Quote: וְלֹֽא יִֽהְיֶ֨ה ע֤וֹד הַמַּ֨יִם֙ לְמַבּ֔וּל לְשַׁחֵ֖ת (1)“that never again will there be a flood that destroys” or “I promise/vow/pledge that never again will I use/cause a flood to destroy”. Make sure it is clear in your translation that this last clause in verse 15 is what God promised in his covenant. Also, consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
all flesh
Quote: כָּל־בָּשָֽׂר (1)“all life.” or “all living creatures.” or “all people and animals.”
Genesis 9:16
So the rainbow will be
Quote: וְהָיְתָ֥ה הַקֶּ֖שֶׁת (1)“So/Yes, whenever the/a rainbow appears/forms” or “That is how it will be: Whenever there is a rainbow”. In verse 16, God repeats and emphasizes what he said in verses 12-15.
in the clouds
Quote: בֶּֽעָנָ֑ן (1)“among the clouds,” See how you translated this phrase in verses 13 and 14.
and I will see it
Quote: וּרְאִיתִ֗יהָ (1)“I will see it” or “I will look at it”
to remember
Quote: לִזְכֹּר֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“and keep/fulfill” or “and not forget to keep/fulfill”. See how you translated “remember” in verse 15.
the everlasting covenant
Quote: בְּרִ֣ית עוֹלָ֔ם (1)“my never-ending/permanent covenant/agreement” or “the/my covenant/agreement that lasts forever” or “the/my covenant/agreement that never ends”
between God and
Quote: בֵּ֣ין אֱלֹהִ֔ים וּבֵין֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
“between me and” or “which I have established/made with”. Make sure it is clear in your translation that God is referring to himself here.
every living creature, with all flesh
Quote: כָּל נֶ֣פֶשׁ חַיָּ֔ה בְּכָל בָּשָׂ֖ר (1)“all living creatures/beings/things of every kind” or “all people and all animals”. See how you translated this phrase in verse 15 and how you translated “every living creature” in verses 10 and 12.
that {is} on the earth
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֥ר עַל הָאָֽרֶץ (1)“that live/are on the earth.” or “that live in the world.”
Genesis 9:17
Then God said to Noah
Quote: וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶל נֹ֑חַ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“Finally, God said to Noah,” or “Then God concluded/finished by saying to Noah,”
That {is
Quote: זֹ֤את (1)“A rainbow is”
the sign of the covenant that I have established
Quote: אֽוֹת הַבְּרִית֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֲקִמֹ֔תִי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-key-terms
“the sign which shows that I promise to always keep the covenant/agreement that I am establishing/making” or “what I will uses to show/remind everyone that I have established/made/instituted this covenant/agreement/treaty”. See how you translated a similar clause in verse 12. In that verse God is explaining the rainbow for the first time, whereas here in verse 17, he is pointing back to what he just said about the rainbow in order to emphasize its importance. Also, consider again how you translated “covenant” in verses 9, 11-13, 15-17.
between me and
Quote: בֵּינִ֕י וּבֵ֥ין (1)“with”
all flesh that {is} on the earth
Quote: כָּל בָּשָׂ֖ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר עַל הָאָֽרֶץ (1)“all living creatures/things.” or “all the people and creatures/animals that are/live on the earth.” Consider again how you translated “all flesh” when it includes people and animals. See Gen 6:12-13, 17; 7:21; 9:11, 15-17. It may be necessary to translate this phrase in different ways in different contexts.
Genesis 9:18
the sons of Noah
Quote: בְנֵי נֹ֗חַ (1)“Noah’s sons” or “The names of Noah’s sons”
the ark
Quote: הַתֵּבָ֔ה (1)“who went out of/from the ark/boat after the flood” or “who disembarked from …” or “who got off …” Be consistent here with how you translated “ark/boat” in chapters 6-8, and see the note about this at Gen 6:14.
And … were Shem and Ham and Japheth
Quote: וַיִּֽהְי֣וּ & שֵׁ֖ם וְחָ֣ם וָיָ֑פֶת (1)“were Shem, Ham, and Japheth;” Consider what is the best way to list names in your language.
and Ham, he
Quote: וְחָ֕ם ה֖וּא (1)“it was Ham who” or “Ham was the one who”. The pronoun “he” is emphatic here, emphasizing that Ham was the father of Canaan, who is probably mentioned here because he was well known as the ancestor of the Canaanites and the one whom the land/region of Canaan was named after.
was} the father of Canaan
Quote: אֲבִ֥י כְנָֽעַן (1)“was Canaan’s father.” or “fathered Canaan.”
Genesis 9:19
Those three {were} the sons of Noah, and from them the whole earth was overspread
Quote: שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה אֵ֖לֶּה בְּנֵי נֹ֑חַ וּמֵאֵ֖לֶּה נָֽפְצָ֥ה כָל הָאָֽרֶץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
“It was from Noah’s three sons that the entire earth was populated again.” or “It was the descendants of Noah’s three sons who populated the entire earth again.”
Genesis 9:20
Now Noah, a man of the soil, began and planted
Quote: וַיָּ֥חֶל נֹ֖חַ אִ֣ישׁ הָֽאֲדָמָ֑ה וַיִּטַּ֖ע (1)“Now later on, Noah,” or “After a while, Noah,” or “Noah,” Consider what is the best way in your language to introduce or begin a new episode here. The Hebrew text is ambiguous here. It could mean: (1) “who was a farmer, began/started farming and planted” or “who was a farmer, was the first man/person to plant” or (2) “began to be a farmer and planted” or “became a farmer and planted”
a vineyard
Quote: כָּֽרֶם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“some grapevines and made wine from the grapes.” or “a field/garden with grapevines. And he made wine from the grapes.” It is implied that Noah made wine from the grapes (verse 21). If necessary, you could make that explicit here. Also, if grapes are not known in your language area, you could say “vines/plants with a fruit called grapes”, or you could put in a footnote information about grapes, including how they are squeezed and how the juice is fermented to make wine.
Genesis 9:21
Then he drank some of the wine
Quote: וַיֵּ֥שְׁתְּ מִן הַיַּ֖יִן (1)“Then one day he drank too much of the wine,” or “One day he drank a lot of the wine,”
and he became drunk, and he uncovered himself
Quote: וַיִּשְׁכָּ֑ר וַיִּתְגַּ֖ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“so that he became drunk and was lying naked” or “so that he became so intoxicated/drunk that he fell asleep uncovered/naked”. It is implied from verse 24 that Noah had fallen asleep.
inside his tent
Quote: בְּת֥וֹךְ אָהֳלֹֽה (1)See how you translated “tent” in Gen 4:20.
Genesis 9:22
Then Ham, the father of Canaan, saw
Quote: וַיַּ֗רְא חָ֚ם אֲבִ֣י כְנַ֔עַן (1)“Ham, who was Canaan’s father, saw”
the nakedness of his father
Quote: אֵ֖ת עֶרְוַ֣ת אָבִ֑יו (1)“that his father was naked/uncovered,”
and he told his two brothers outside
Quote: וַיַּגֵּ֥ד לִשְׁנֵֽי אֶחָ֖יו בַּחֽוּץ (1)“and he went outside and told his two brothers about it.” or “and he went out and told his two brothers that their father was drunk and naked.”
Genesis 9:23
But Shem and Japheth took
Quote: וַיִּקַּח֩ שֵׁ֨ם וָיֶ֜פֶת (1)“However/Then Shem and Japheth took”
a garment
Quote: אֶת הַשִּׂמְלָ֗ה (1)“a robe/cloak,” This garment would have probably been fairly large, big enough to cover Noah’s body.
and laid it across the shoulders of the two of them
Quote: וַיָּשִׂ֨ימוּ֙ עַל שְׁכֶ֣ם שְׁנֵיהֶ֔ם (1)“put it between them over their shoulders” or “held it between them at shoulder level”
and walked backward
Quote: וַיֵּֽלְכוּ֙ אֲחֹ֣רַנִּ֔ית (1)“and walked/went backward into the tent”
and covered the nakedness of their father
Quote: וַיְכַסּ֕וּ אֵ֖ת עֶרְוַ֣ת אֲבִיהֶ֑ם (1)“and covered their father’s naked body with it.” or “and used it to cover their naked father.”
And their faces were turned away
Quote: וּפְנֵיהֶם֙ אֲחֹ֣רַנִּ֔ית (1)“As they did that, they kept their faces/eyes turned/looking away from him,” or “As they did that, they looked away from him,”
so that they did not see the nakedness of their father
Quote: וְעֶרְוַ֥ת אֲבִיהֶ֖ם לֹ֥א רָאֽוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“so that they did/would not see his nakedness.” or “so that they did/would not see him naked.” Consider whether it is better here in your language to refer to Noah with a noun phrase or a pronoun.
Genesis 9:24
Then Noah woke up
Quote: וַיִּ֥יקֶץ נֹ֖חַ (1)“Later Noah/he woke up”
from his wine
Quote: מִיֵּינ֑וֹ (1)“sober from the effects of the wine,” or “from being drunk,” or “sober,”
and he learned
Quote: וַיֵּ֕דַע (1)“and he found out” or “and he heard about”. The text does not say how Noah found out about this, so it is best to not be too specific about that here in your translation.
what his youngest son had done to him
Quote: אֵ֛ת אֲשֶׁר עָ֥שָׂה ל֖וֹ בְּנ֥וֹ הַקָּטָֽן (1)“that his youngest son Ham had dishonored/disrespected/mocked him,”
Genesis 9:25
and he said
Quote: וַיֹּ֖אמֶר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“So he exclaimed about him/Ham,” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
Cursed be
Quote: אָר֣וּר (1)“I hereby ask God to curse” or “May God curse”
Canaan
Quote: כְּנָ֑עַן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“Ham’s son Canaan!” In verses 25-27, Canaan probably represents Ham and all of Ham’s descendants (the Canaanites), who will serve Shem and Japheth and all their descendants. You could put that information in a footnote.
He will be
Quote: יִֽהְיֶ֥ה (1)“Canaan will be” or “I declare/proclaim that he/Canaan will be”
a slave of slaves
Quote: עֶ֥בֶד עֲבָדִ֖ים (1)“the lowest slave/servant”. The Hebrew word here can mean either “slave” or “servant”. Slaves in the Old Testament were usually treated well and were not much different than servants, sometimes even becoming like members of their owner’s family. But they were of lower status than their masters, which is part of how Ham’s family is being cursed.
for his brothers
Quote: לְאֶחָֽיו (1)“for his/Canaan’s relatives.” Verses 26 and 27 show that “his brothers” probably refers here to Shem and Japheth (who were Canaan’s uncles) and their descendants.
Genesis 9:26
Then he said
Quote: וַיֹּ֕אמֶר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“Then he/Noah also said,” or “He/Noah also said,”
Praised be Yahweh
Quote: בָּר֥וּךְ יְהֹוָ֖ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-key-terms
“Praise Yahweh,” or “I praise Yahweh,” Although many English translations have “Blessed be” here instead of “Praised be,” the word used in the Hebrew text means “praise” when people are acting towards God (as here), and it means “bless” when God is acting towards people (as in Gen 1:28; 5:2; 9:1).
the God of Shem
Quote: אֱלֹ֣הֵי שֵׁ֑ם (1)“who is Shem’s God!” or “who is the God whom Shem worships/serves!” or “who is the God who takes care of Shem!”
And may Canaan be
Quote: וִיהִ֥י כְנַ֖עַן (1)“May he/God cause Canaan to be” or “May he/God make Canaan” or “I ask him/God to make Canaan”
a slave for him
Quote: עֶ֥בֶד לָֽמוֹ (1)“a servant for him/Shem.” or “his/Shem’s slave/servant.”
Genesis 9:27
May God enlarge Japheth
Quote: יַ֤פְתְּ אֱלֹהִים֙ לְיֶ֔פֶת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“I also ask God to enlarge/expand Japheth’s territory,” or “I also pray that God will make Japheth’s territory larger,” or “… give Japheth more/much land,” In this context, “Japheth” refers to the territory or land where he lived.
and may he live
Quote: וְיִשְׁכֹּ֖ן (1)“and enable him and his family/descendants to live”
in the tents of Shem
Quote: בְּאָֽהֳלֵי שֵׁ֑ם (1)“together in harmony/peace with Shem and his family/descendants.” or “peacefully among Shem and his family/descendants.”
And may Canaan be
Quote: וִיהִ֥י כְנַ֖עַן (1)“May God also cause Canaan to be” or “I also ask God to make Canaan” or “Canaan will also be”. See how you translated a similar sentence in verse 26.
a slave for him
Quote: עֶ֥בֶד לָֽמוֹ (1)“a servant for him/Japheth.” or “his/Japheth’s slave/servant.” Compare how you translated “slave” or “servant” in verses 25-27.
Genesis 9:28
after the flood
Quote: אַחַ֣ר הַמַּבּ֑וּל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“After/From the time that the flood began,” or “After/From the beginning of the flood,” Notice that this phrase refers to when the flood began, when Noah was 600 years old (Gen 7:6), not when it ended a year later, when he was 601 years old (8:13), since he was 950 when he died (verse 29), not 951.
And … Noah lived 350 years
Quote: וַֽיְחִי נֹ֖חַ & שְׁלֹ֤שׁ מֵאוֹת֙ שָׁנָ֔ה וַֽחֲמִשִּׁ֖ים שָׁנָֽה (1)“Noah lived another 350 years.” or “Noah lived 350 more years.”
Genesis 9:29
So all the days of Noah were
Quote: וַיִּֽהְיוּ֙ כָּל יְמֵי נֹ֔חַ (1)“so that Noah/he lived a total of 950 years,” or “So all together Noah lived 950 years,” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here. See how you translated Gen 5:31, which is similar to 9:29.
and he died
Quote: וַיָּמֹֽת (1)“and then he died.” or “before he died.”
Genesis 10
Genesis 10:1
Now these {are} the generations of
Quote: וְאֵ֨לֶּה֙ תּוֹלְדֹ֣ת (1)“This/Here is the genealogy/list/record of the names of”. This sentence begins a new section.
the sons of Noah: Shem, Ham, and Japheth
Quote: בְּנֵי נֹ֔חַ שֵׁ֖ם חָ֣ם וָיָ֑פֶת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“Noah’s sons Shem, Ham, and Japheth,” Give special attention to the best way in your language to spell all the names in this chapter.
and sons were born to them
Quote: וַיִּוָּלְד֥וּ לָהֶ֛ם בָּנִ֖ים (1)“and their sons and other descendants who were born” or “and the sons/descendants they had”. The following record includes the names of Noah’s sons and grandsons and their descendants (including some of the people groups who came from them).
after the flood
Quote: אַחַ֥ר הַמַּבּֽוּל (1)“after the flood was over/gone.”
Genesis 10:2
The sons of Japheth {were
Quote: בְּנֵ֣י יֶ֔פֶת (1)“The names of Japheth’s sons were” or “These were the names of Japheth’s sons:” Throughout this chapter, many translations have a colon (:) instead of “were”. Do what is best in your language.
Gomer and Magog and Madai and Javan and Tubal and Meshech and Tiras
Quote: גֹּ֣מֶר וּמָג֔וֹג וּמָדַ֖י וְיָוָ֣ן וְתֻבָ֑ל וּמֶ֖שֶׁךְ וְתִירָֽס (1)“Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Jubal, Meshech, and Tiras.” Translate the lists of names in this chapter in a way that is natural in your language.
Genesis 10:3
And the sons of Gomer {were
Quote: וּבְנֵ֖י גֹּ֑מֶר (1)“The names of Gomer’s sons were” or “These were the names of Gomer’s sons:”
Ashkenaz and Riphath and Togarmah
Quote: אַשְׁכֲּנַ֥ז וְרִיפַ֖ת וְתֹגַרְמָֽה (1)“named Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah.”
Genesis 10:4
And the sons of Javan {were
Quote: וּבְנֵ֥י יָוָ֖ן (1)“The names of Javan’s sons/descendants were” or “These were the names of Javan’s sons:” Compare how you translated a similar clause in verses 2 and 3.
Elishah and Tarshish
Quote: אֱלִישָׁ֣ה וְתַרְשִׁ֑ישׁ (1)“named Elishah and Tarshish, and he was the ancestor of”. These are the names of Javan’s sons, but the next two names are the names of people groups that descended from him.
the Kittim and the Dodanim
Quote: כִּתִּ֖ים וְדֹדָנִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“the Kittites and the Dodanites.” or “the Kitt people group and the Dodan people group.” Most translation teams transliterate people group names in the Bible, but handle the suffix endings in different ways. For example, you could: (1) transliterate the Hebrew plural suffix “-im”; or (2) use a suffix that your language has for names of people groups (such as “-ites” in English); or (3) translate “-im” as “people” or “people/ethnic group.” Try to be consistent in how you handle people group names throughout this chapter and the rest of the book of Genesis.
Genesis 10:5
From those
Quote: מֵ֠אֵלֶּה (1)“From those/Japheth’s descendants”. This phrase probably refers to Japheth’s descendants (verses 2-4), especially since the descendants of his brothers Ham (verse 20) and Shem (verse 31) are summarized in a similar way.
the coastland peoples spread out
Quote: נִפְרְד֞וּ אִיֵּ֤י הַגּוֹיִם֙ (1)“came the people groups who lived in regions near/beside the Mediterranean Sea. They moved to different places and settled”
into their lands
Quote: בְּאַרְצֹתָ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“in their own territories/regions,”
each with its own language
Quote: אִ֖ישׁ לִלְשֹׁנ֑וֹ (1)“and each group spoke its own language,” or “They all developed/spoke their own languages,” Consider whether it is more natural in your language to break up this long sentence and start a new sentence here (or later in this verse).
according to their clans
Quote: לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם (1)“and each of them lived in their own extended families,” or “They each had their own family groups,” The word “clan” refers to a group of families who are descended from a common ancestor.
in their nations
Quote: בְּגוֹיֵהֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“and they formed/became their own people/ethnic groups.” or “which grew/multiplied and became their own distinct people/ethnic groups.” The word “nations” refers here to people groups, not countries. Also, for some languages it may be clearer to change the order of the phrases in this verse and say, “Japheth’s descendants spread out and settled near/by the Mediterranean Sea. They all formed their own family groups, which grew/multiplied and became their own people groups that spoke their own languages and lived in their own territories/regions.” Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 10:6
And the sons of Ham {were} Cush
Quote: וּבְנֵ֖י חָ֑ם כּ֥וּשׁ (1)“The names of Ham’s sons were” or “These were the names of Ham’s sons:”
Cush and Mizraim and Put and Canaan
Quote: כּ֥וּשׁ וּמִצְרַ֖יִם וּפ֥וּט וּכְנָֽעַן (1)“Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.”
Genesis 10:7
And the sons of Cush {were
Quote: וּבְנֵ֣י כ֔וּשׁ (1)“The names of Cush’s sons were” or “These were the names of Cush’s sons:”
Seba and Havilah and Sabtah and Raamah and Sabteca
Quote: סְבָא֙ וַֽחֲוִילָ֔ה וְסַבְתָּ֥ה וְרַעְמָ֖ה וְסַבְתְּכָ֑א (1)“Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabtecah.”
And the sons of Raamah {were} Sheba and Dedan
Quote: וּבְנֵ֥י רַעְמָ֖ה שְׁבָ֥א וּדְדָֽן (1)“And Raamah’s sons were Sheba and Dedan.” or “The names of Raamah’s sons were Sheba and Dedan.”
Genesis 10:8
Cush also fathered Nimrod
Quote: וְכ֖וּשׁ יָלַ֣ד אֶת נִמְרֹ֑ד (1)“Cush also fathered/had a son named Nimrod,” See how you translated “fathered” in Gen 6:10, and how you translated a phrase in 10:1 (“were born to”) that has a similar meaning.
who began to be
Quote: ה֣וּא הֵחֵ֔ל לִֽהְי֥וֹת (1)The Hebrew text is ambiguous here. It could mean: (1) “who was the first person/man/one to be” or (2) “who became”
mighty
Quote: גִּבֹּ֖ר (1)“a powerful warrior/conqueror” or “a powerful ruler/king”. There were other mighty men before Nimrod, but apparently he was the first one to have a kingdom (verse 10).
on the earth
Quote: בָּאָֽרֶץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“on earth.” or “in the world.” For some languages it may be more natural to put this phrase earlier and say, “who was the first person/man on earth to be/become a powerful ruler/warrior.” Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 10:9
He was a mighty hunter
Quote: הֽוּא הָיָ֥ה גִבֹּֽר צַ֖יִד (1)“He/Nimrod was also a great/excellent hunter”
before Yahweh
Quote: לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה (1)“whom Yahweh blessed/helped.” or “because Yahweh helped him.”
For that reason
Quote: עַל כֵּן֙ (1)“That is why”
it is said
Quote: יֵֽאָמַ֔ר (1)“people say about other great men,” or “people/we have the/this saying/expression about other great men:” This phrase indicates that what follows was a well-known saying that was used by people to praise or compliment other great men by comparing them to Nimrod.
Like Nimrod
Quote: כְּנִמְרֹ֛ד (1)“That man is like Nimrod,” or “So and so is like Nimrod,”
He was a mighty hunter
Quote: הֽוּא־הָיָ֥ה גִבֹּֽר צַ֖יִד (1)“He/Nimrod was also a great/excellent hunter”
before Yahweh
Quote: לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה (1)“whom Yahweh blessed/helped.” or “because Yahweh helped him.” Be consistent here with how you translated this phrase earlier in verse 9.
Genesis 10:10
And the beginning of his kingdom was
Quote: וַתְּהִ֨י רֵאשִׁ֤ית מַמְלַכְתּוֹ֙ (1)“His/Nimrod’s kingdom began with him ruling over” or “He/Nimrod started ruling as king over” or “The first cities that he/Nimrod ruled as king were”
Babel and Erech and Akkad and Calneh
Quote: בָּבֶ֔ל וְאֶ֖רֶךְ וְאַכַּ֣ד וְכַלְנֵ֑ה (1)“the cities of Babel, Erech, Akkad, and Calneh,”
in the land of Shinar
Quote: בְּאֶ֖רֶץ שִׁנְעָֽר (1)“which were all located in the land/region of/called Shinar.” Shinar is another name for the land/country of Babylonia. You could put that information in a footnote.
Genesis 10:11
From that land
Quote: מִן הָאָ֥רֶץ הַהִ֖וא (1)“From that region” or “From the land/region of Shinar” or “From there”
he went to Asshur
Quote: יָצָ֣א אַשּׁ֑וּר (1)“he/Nimrod went/moved to the land/region of/called Asshur/Assyria,” See how you translated “the land/region of/called Asshur/Assyria” in Gen 2:14.
and he built
Quote: וַיִּ֨בֶן֙ (1)“and there he built” or “where he built”
Nineveh and Rehoboth-Ir and Calah
Quote: אֶת נִ֣ינְוֵ֔ה וְאֶת רְחֹבֹ֥ת עִ֖יר וְאֶת כָּֽלַח (1)“the cities of Nineveh, Rehoboth-Ir, Calah,”
Genesis 10:12
and Resen, between Nineveh and Calah, which {is} the great city
Quote: וְֽאֶת רֶ֔סֶן בֵּ֥ין נִֽינְוֵ֖ה וּבֵ֣ין כָּ֑לַח הִ֖וא הָעִ֥יר הַגְּדֹלָֽה (1)The Hebrew text is ambiguous here. It could mean: (1) “and Resen, which is located between the cities of Nineveh and the great city of Calah.” or (2) “and Resen, which is the great city located between the cities of Nineveh and Calah.”
Genesis 10:13
And Mizraim fathered
Quote: וּמִצְרַ֡יִם יָלַ֞ד (1)“Mizraim was the father/ancestor of”
the Ludim and the Anamim and the Lehabim and the Naphtuhim
Quote: אֶת לוּדִ֧ים וְאֶת עֲנָמִ֛ים וְאֶת לְהָבִ֖ים וְאֶת נַפְתֻּחִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“the Ludites, Anamites, Lehabites, Naphtuhites,” Throughout verses 13-18, translate the names of people groups in a way that is clear and natural in your language. See what you did in verse 4. Also consider what is the best way in your language to list the names in these verses. Some languages use a conjunction (like “and”) between names, while other languages only use a conjunction before the last name in the list, with commas between the other names.
Genesis 10:14
and the Pathrusim and the Casluhim (whom the Philistim came from) and the Caphtorim
Quote: וְֽאֶת פַּתְרֻסִ֞ים וְאֶת כַּסְלֻחִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר יָצְא֥וּ מִשָּׁ֛ם פְּלִשְׁתִּ֖ים וְאֶת כַּפְתֹּרִֽים (1)“Pathrusites, Casluhites (whom the Philistines came/descended from), and Caphtorites.” or “Pathrusites, Casluhites, and Caphtorites. The Philistines came/descended from the Casluhites.”
Genesis 10:15
And Canaan fathered
Quote: וּכְנַ֗עַן יָלַ֛ד (1)“Canaan fathered/had”. See how you translated “fathered” in verses 8 and 13.
Sidon his firstborn
Quote: אֶת צִידֹ֥ן בְּכֹר֖וֹ (1)“Sidon who was his firstborn son,”
then Heth
Quote: וְאֶת חֵֽת (1)“then he fathered/had a son named Heth,” Canaan’s son Heth was the ancestor of the Hittites, so some translations use “Hittites” here instead and say, “He was also the ancestor of the Hittites,”
Genesis 10:16
and the Jebusites and the Amorites and the Girgashites
Quote: וְאֶת הַיְבוּסִי֙ וְאֶת הָ֣אֱמֹרִ֔י וְאֵ֖ת הַגִּרְגָּשִֽׁי (1)“and he/Canaan was also the ancestor of the Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites,” or “Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites,” In verses 16-18, the people group names are singular collective nouns in Hebrew (in contrast to the people group names in verses 4, 13-14 that are plural nouns). Most English versions translate these names with a plural “-ites” suffix so that it is clear that these names refer to more than one person.
Genesis 10:17
and the Hivites and the Arkites and the Sinites
Quote: וְאֶת הַֽחִוִּ֥י וְאֶת הַֽעַרְקִ֖י וְאֶת הַסִּינִֽי (1)“Hivites, Arkites, Sinites,”
Genesis 10:18
and the Arvadites and the Zemarites and the Hamathites
Quote: וְאֶת הָֽאַרְוָדִ֥י וְאֶת הַצְּמָרִ֖י וְאֶת הַֽחֲמָתִ֑י (1)“Arvadites, Zemarites, and Hamathites.”
And afterward
Quote: וְאַחַ֣ר (1)“Later,” or “As time went by,”
the clans of the Canaanites
Quote: מִשְׁפְּח֖וֹת הַֽכְּנַעֲנִֽי (1)“those extended families that descended from Ham’s son Canaan”
scattered
Quote: נָפֹ֔צוּ (1)“spread out,” or “moved to different places,”
Genesis 10:19
so the border{s} of the Canaanites were
Quote: וַֽיְהִ֞י גְּב֤וּל הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙ (1)“and eventually the borders/boundaries of their territory/land reached/extended” or “so that eventually the territory/land where Canaanites/they lived reached/extended”
from Sidon
Quote: מִצִּידֹ֔ן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“from the city of Sidon in the north,” or “from Sidon City in the north,” Some languages have an affix or a word (that means “city”) that must be used every time the name of a city is mentioned or the first time a particular city is mentioned in a paragraph or section. Do what is natural in your language here and elsewhere throughout the Bible.
then} you go toward Gerar as far as Gaza
Quote: בֹּאֲכָ֥ה גְרָ֖רָה עַד עַזָּ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“all the way down/south toward the city of Gerar to the city of Gaza,” or “down/south to Gaza City, which is on the road to Gerar City,” The Canaanites’ border reached Gaza, but did not extend down to Gerar, which was farther south.
then} you go to Sodom
Quote: בֹּאֲכָ֞ה סְדֹ֧מָה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“then as far east as”
to Sodom and Gomorrah and Admah and Zeboiim
Quote: סְדֹ֧מָה וַעֲמֹרָ֛ה וְאַדְמָ֥ה וּצְבֹיִ֖ם (1)“the cities of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim,”
as far as Lasha
Quote: עַד לָֽשַׁע (1)“all the way to the city of Lasha.” or “until you reach Lasha City.”
Genesis 10:20
Those {are
Quote: אֵ֣לֶּה (1)“Those are/were the names of” or “Those men/people are/were”. The word “Those” refers back to the people listed in verses 6-19. Also, many translations that use “were” (and other past tense verbs) in verses 2-19 and 21-30 use “are” here (and in verses 31 and 32). Do what is best in your language.
the sons of Ham
Quote: בְנֵי חָ֔ם (1)“the descendants of Ham” or “Ham’s sons/descendants”
according to their clans
Quote: לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם (1)“according to their family groups,” or “and each one had his own clan/family,” or “and their extended families,” See how you translated “clans” in verse 5.
according to their languages, in their lands, in their nations
Quote: לִלְשֹֽׁנֹתָ֑ם בְּאַרְצֹתָ֖ם בְּגוֹיֵהֶֽם (1)“Each clan/family had/spoke its own language and lived in its own territory/region, and eventually became its own people/ethnic group.” or “Each clan/family grew/multiplied and became/established its own people/ethnic group that had/spoke its own language and lived in its own territory/region.” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here. See how you translated verse 5, which has some of the same phrases as verse 20.
Genesis 10:21
And sons were also born to Shem
Quote: וּלְשֵׁ֥ם יֻלַּ֖ד גַּם (1)“Shem also fathered/had some sons”. In the Hebrew text, “to Shem” comes first in this sentence after “And”, to emphasize Shem. Do what is natural in your language.
he {was} the father of all the sons of Eber
Quote: ה֑וּא אֲבִי֙ כָּל בְּנֵי עֵ֔בֶר (1)“He was the ancestor of all the descendants of Eber”
and the brother of Japheth the elder
Quote: אֲחִ֖י יֶ֥פֶת הַגָּדֽוֹל (1)The Hebrew text is ambiguous here. It could mean: (1) “and his/Shem’s older brother was Japheth.” (2) “and he/Shem was Japheth’s older/oldest brother.”
Genesis 10:22
The sons of Shem {were
Quote: בְּנֵ֥י שֵׁ֖ם (1)“The names of Shem’s sons were” or “These were the names of Shem’s sons:”
Elam and Asshur and Arpachshad and Lud and Aram
Quote: עֵילָ֣ם וְאַשּׁ֑וּר וְאַרְפַּכְשַׁ֖ד וְל֥וּד וַֽאֲרָֽם (1)“Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud and Aram.” The name “Arpachshad” is spelled as “Arphaxad” in many translations. Also, see how you spelled “Lud” in verse 13 (who is a different person with the same name). Be consistent with how you spell each name throughout the Bible.
Genesis 10:23
And the sons of Aram {were
Quote: וּבְנֵ֖י אֲרָ֑ם (1)“The names of Aram’s sons were” or “These were the names of Aram’s sons:”
Uz and Hul and Gether and Mash
Quote: ע֥וּץ וְח֖וּל וְגֶ֥תֶר וָמַֽשׁ (1)“Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash.” The same person who is called “Mash” here, is referred to as “Meshech/Meshek” in 1 Chronicles 1:17. To prevent confusion, some translations use “Meshech/Meshek” here too, or they put that name in a footnote.
Genesis 10:24
And Arpachshad fathered Shelah
Quote: וְאַרְפַּכְשַׁ֖ד יָלַ֣ד אֶת שָׁ֑לַח (1)“Arpachshad/Arphaxad fathered/had a son named Shelah,” Be consistent here with how you spelled “Arpachshad/Arphaxad” in verse 22.
then Shelah fathered Eber
Quote: וְשֶׁ֖לַח יָלַ֥ד אֶת עֵֽבֶר (1)“then/and Shelah fathered/had a son named Eber.”
Genesis 10:25
Then two sons were born to Eber
Quote: וּלְעֵ֥בֶר יֻלַּ֖ד שְׁנֵ֣י בָנִ֑ים (1)“Then Eber fathered/had two sons.”
The name of the one {was
Quote: שֵׁ֣ם הָֽאֶחָ֞ד (1)“The name of the first one/son was” or “The first one/son was named”
Peleg
Quote: פֶּ֗לֶג (1)“Peleg, which means “division/divide,”” You can put the meaning of Peleg’s name in the text or in a footnote, so that it is clear why he was given his name. See what you did for a similar case (Noah’s name) in Gen 5:29.
because in his days
Quote: כִּ֤י בְיָמָיו֙ (1)“because during his lifetime”
the earth was divided
Quote: נִפְלְגָ֣ה הָאָ֔רֶץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“the people on the earth divided/separated into separate groups and scattered everywhere.” This phrase refers to the people on the earth and implies that they scattered and lived all over the earth (as specified in Gen 11:8).
And the name of his brother {was} Joktan
Quote: וְשֵׁ֥ם אָחִ֖יו יָקְטָֽן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“His/Peleg’s younger brother’s name was Joktan.” or “Eber’s second/other son was named Joktan and was younger than Peleg.” Make sure it is clear in your translation who is being referred to in this sentence, especially after reading the previous two sentences.
Genesis 10:26
And Joktan fathered
Quote: וְיָקְטָ֣ן יָלַ֔ד (1)“Joktan fathered/had sons named” or “Joktan fathered/had the following sons:” Notice that the list of Joktan’s sons continues through verse 29.
Almodad and Sheleph and Hazarmaveth and Jerah
Quote: אֶת אַלְמוֹדָ֖ד וְאֶת שָׁ֑לֶף וְאֶת חֲצַרְמָ֖וֶת וְאֶת יָֽרַח (1)“Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah,”
Genesis 10:27
and Hadoram and Uzal and Diklah
Quote: וְאֶת הֲדוֹרָ֥ם וְאֶת אוּזָ֖ל וְאֶת דִּקְלָֽה (1)“Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah,”
Genesis 10:28
and Obal and Abimael and Sheba
Quote: וְאֶת עוֹבָ֥ל וְאֶת אֲבִֽימָאֵ֖ל וְאֶת שְׁבָֽא (1)“Obal, Abimael, Sheba,”
Genesis 10:29
and Ophir and Havilah and Jobab
Quote: וְאֶת אוֹפִ֥ר וְאֶת חֲוִילָ֖ה וְאֶת יוֹבָ֑ב (1)“Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab.” Consider again how you translated lists of names throughout chapter 10.
All those {were
Quote: כָּל אֵ֖לֶּה (1)“All those were the names of” or “All those men/people were” or “Those were all”
the sons of Joktan
Quote: בְּנֵ֥י יָקְטָֽן (1)“Joktan’s sons.”
Genesis 10:30
And their dwelling was
Quote: וַֽיְהִ֥י מוֹשָׁבָ֖ם (1)“Their dwelling place” or “Their territory/region” or “The region/area where they and their descendants lived”
And … was from Mesha
Quote: וַֽיְהִ֥י & מִמֵּשָׁ֑א (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“extended/reached from the city of Mesha in the west,” See how you translated a similar sentence in verse 19.
then} you go to Sephar
Quote: בֹּאֲכָ֥ה סְפָ֖רָה (1)“all the way to” or “as far as”
to Sephar
Quote: סְפָ֖רָה (1)“the city/town of Sephar, which is in/near”. Sephar might refer to a city, a mountain, or a region (that was named after the city or mountain).
the mountain{s} of the east
Quote: הַ֥ר הַקֶּֽדֶם (1)“the mountain range that is in the east.” or “the hill country in the east.” or “the eastern hill country.” The word “mountains” is ambiguous in the Hebrew text. It can be: (1) a collective noun that refers to mountains or hill country near the town of Sephar; or (2) a singular noun that refers to a specific mountain that was called Sephar.
Genesis 10:31
Those {are
Quote: אֵ֣לֶּה (1)“Those are/were the names of” or “Those men/people are/were”. The word “Those” refers here to the people listed in verses 21-30. See how you translated verse 20, which is almost exactly the same as verse 31.
the sons of Shem
Quote: בְנֵי שֵׁ֔ם (1)“the descendants of Shem” or “Shem’s sons/descendants”
according to their clans
Quote: לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם (1)“and each one had his own clan/family.” See how you translated “clans” in verses 5 and 20.
according to their languages, in their lands, according to their nations
Quote: לִלְשֹׁנֹתָ֑ם בְּאַרְצֹתָ֖ם לְגוֹיֵהֶֽם (1)“Each clan/family had/spoke its own language and lived in its own territory, and eventually became its own people/ethnic group.” or “Each clan/family grew/multiplied and became/established its own people/ethnic group that had/spoke its own language and lived in its own territory.”
Genesis 10:32
Those {are} the clans of the sons of Noah
Quote: אֵ֣לֶּה מִשְׁפְּחֹ֧ת בְּנֵי נֹ֛חַ (1)“All those people are/were the clans/families who descended from Noah’s sons,” or “All those clans/families descended from Noah’s sons,” The word “Those” refers here to everyone who is listed in verses 2-31. Consider again how you translated “clans” in verses 5, 18, 29, 31-32.
according to their generations, in their nations
Quote: לְתוֹלְדֹתָ֖ם בְּגוֹיֵהֶ֑ם (1)“Each clan/family had its own genealogy/descendants and became its own people/ethnic group.” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here. Also, compare how you translated similar phrases in verses 5, 20, and 31.
And from those the nations spread out on the earth after the flood
Quote: וּמֵאֵ֜לֶּה נִפְרְד֧וּ הַגּוֹיִ֛ם בָּאָ֖רֶץ אַחַ֥ר הַמַּבּֽוּל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“From those people came/descended all the people/ethnic groups who spread out on/over the earth after the flood.” or “In fact, after the flood all the people groups on the earth descended from them and spread out everywhere.” Consider again how you translated “nations” in verses 5, 20, 31-32.
Genesis 11
Genesis 11:1
Now the whole earth had one language
Quote: וַֽיְהִ֥י כָל־הָאָ֖רֶץ שָׂפָ֣ה אֶחָ֑ת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-background
“Now at first, everyone on the earth spoke/shared the same language” or “Now for a while, all the people on the earth spoke one language”. The events in chapter 11:1-9 happened before the people listed in chapter 10 had their own languages and before they spread out over the earth (Gen 10:5, 19-20, 30-32). You could include some of that information in a footnote.
and the same words
Quote: וּדְבָרִ֖ים אֲחָדִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
“and spoke/shared the same words/vocabulary.” or “and spoke words everyone knew/understood.” or “so that everyone understood each other.” The phrases “one language” and “the same words” are very similar in meaning and emphasize the fact that everyone spoke the same language. Consider what is the best way to communicate that in your language.
Genesis 11:2
And it happened
Quote: וַֽיְהִ֖י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent
“After a while, as/when” or “As/When” or “As time passed,” The phrase “it happened that” introduces an important event and helps create suspense so that readers will wonder what the outcome will be. Some translations omit this phrase because it is not natural in their language. Do what is best in your language.
as they migrated
Quote: בְּנָסְעָ֣ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“they moved/traveled” or “the people migrated/moved”. Consider whether it is better in your language to use a pronoun (“they”) or a noun phrase (“the people”) here.
from the east
Quote: מִקֶּ֑דֶם (1)“from the eastern regions,” or “around in the eastern regions,” At first after the flood, people lived in the regions around the mountains of Ararat (where the ark had landed). As they began to migrate and spread out to different places (as God had told them to do), they must have headed south at some point since they ended up at the plain of Shinar, which was south of where the Ararat Mountains were. The reference to “the east” probably reflects the viewpoint of the author (Moses), since the Ararat mountains and the plain of Shinar were both far to the east of where he was living.
that they found
Quote: וַֽיִּמְצְא֥וּ (1)“they discovered” or “they eventually came to” or “and eventually came to”. Make sure the way you translate this phrase fits with the way you translated the first half of this verse.
a plain in the land of Shinar
Quote: בִקְעָ֛ה בְּאֶ֥רֶץ שִׁנְעָ֖ר (1)“a wide/spacious, flat valley/area in the land/region called Shinar”. This plain was a wide, flat area between mountains. Also be consistent here with how you translated “land of Shinar” in Gen 10:10.
and settled there
Quote: וַיֵּ֥שְׁבוּ שָֽׁם (1)“and lived/stayed there.” or “and began to live there.”
Genesis 11:3
Then they said to each other
Quote: וַיֹּאמְר֞וּ אִ֣ישׁ אֶל־רֵעֵ֗הוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent
“Then one day they urged each other,” The events that are described below probably did not happen immediately after they arrived at the plain. Consider what is the best way to begin these events in your language.
Come
Quote: הָ֚בָה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“Come on,” Consider whether or not your language has an idiom like this that is used to urge or persuade someone to do something together.
let us make
Quote: נִלְבְּנָ֣ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive
“let us work together and make” or “we should work together and make”. The pronoun “us” is inclusive here and refers to the people who are talking to each other.
bricks
Quote: לְבֵנִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“some clay/mud bricks/blocks” or “some bricks/blocks from clay/mud”
and bake them with fire
Quote: וְנִשְׂרְפָ֖ה לִשְׂרֵפָ֑ה (1)“and harden them with fire.” or “and use fire to bake/harden them.” or “and put/bake them in/over fire to make them hard/strong.”
And they had
Quote: וַתְּהִ֨י לָהֶ֤ם (1)“So they did that, and they had” or “They had/used”
bricks for stones
Quote: הַלְּבֵנָה֙ לְאָ֔בֶן (1)“bricks/blocks to build with instead of stone,”
and they had tar
Quote: וְהַ֣חֵמָ֔ר הָיָ֥ה לָהֶ֖ם (1)“and they used tar between the bricks/blocks”
for mortar
Quote: לַחֹֽמֶר (1)“instead of mortar.” or “to hold/stick the bricks/blocks together.”
Genesis 11:4
Then they said
Quote: וַיֹּאמְר֞וּ (1)“Then they said to each other,” or “Then they urged each other,”
Come
Quote: הָ֣בָה (1)“Come on,” See how you translated this idiom in verse 3.
let us build
Quote: נִבְנֶה (1)“let us work together and build” or “we should work together and build”. See how you translated a similar phrase in verse 3.
a city for ourselves
Quote: לָּ֣נוּ עִ֗יר (1)“a city for us to live in”
and a tower
Quote: וּמִגְדָּל֙ (1)“that includes/has a high tower” or “with a very tall building”
with its top in the heavens
Quote: וְרֹאשׁ֣וֹ בַשָּׁמַ֔יִם (1)“that reaches high into the heavens/sky,” or “that reaches up to heaven,”
and let us make a name for ourselves, so that we are not scattered
Quote: וְנַֽעֲשֶׂה לָּ֖נוּ שֵׁ֑ם פֶּן נָפ֖וּץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“We should do that to make ourselves famous and to keep us from spreading out” or “That way we will become well-known/famous, and we will not separate from each other and live”. The phrase “make a name for ourselves” is a idiom. Consider whether or not your language has a similar idiom that would work well here. Also see how you translated the word “scattered” in Gen 10:18, 32.
over the face of the whole earth
Quote: עַל פְּנֵ֥י כָל הָאָֽרֶץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“all over the earth/world.” or “around the world.”
Genesis 11:5
Then Yahweh came down
Quote: וַיֵּ֣רֶד יְהוָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“Then/But one day Yahweh came down from heaven”
to see the city
Quote: לִרְאֹ֥ת אֶת הָעִ֖יר (1)“and looked at the city” or “and inspected the city”. The text implies that Yahweh actually looked at the city. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to make that explicit here.
and the tower
Quote: וְאֶת הַמִּגְדָּ֑ל (1)“and the very tall building”. See how you translated this word in verse 4.
that the sons of mankind
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֥ר & בְּנֵ֥י הָאָדָֽם (1)“that the people”
had built
Quote: בָּנ֖וּ (1)“were building.” or “had started building.” Make sure the way you translate this verb fits with the fact that the people had not yet finished building the city (verse 8).
Genesis 11:6
And Yahweh said
Quote: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוָ֗ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“And/Then he said (to himself),” or “He said,” Consider what is the best way to refer to Yahweh here in your language.
Behold
Quote: הֵ֣ן (1)“Look,” This term calls attention to what Yahweh says next. Consider what is the best way to do that in your language.
they are} one people
Quote: עַ֤ם אֶחָד֙ (1)The Hebrew text is ambiguous here. It could mean: (1) “they are one people/ethnic group,” or (2) “the/these people are one/united in what they are doing,”
and they all have one language
Quote: וְשָׂפָ֤ה אַחַת֙ לְכֻלָּ֔ם (1)“and they all speak/share the same language.” See how you translated “have one language” in verse 1.
So this {is} what they have begun to do
Quote: וְזֶ֖ה הַחִלָּ֣ם לַעֲשׂ֑וֹת (1)“This is only the beginning of what they can/will do together.”
and now
Quote: וְעַתָּה֙ (1)“Now/Soon”
everything that they plan to do will not be impossible for them
Quote: לֹֽא יִבָּצֵ֣ר מֵהֶ֔ם כֹּ֛ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָזְמ֖וּ לַֽעֲשֽׂוֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives
“nothing that they plan to do will be impossible for them.” or “everything/anything they plan/attempt to do will be possible for them.” or “they will be able to do anything/whatever they plan/try to do.” The words “not” and “impossible” are two negatives that work together to communicate an emphatic positive statement. Consider what is the best way to translate this in your language.
Genesis 11:7
Come
Quote: הָ֚בָה (1)“So come on,” or “So”
let us go down … there
Quote: נֵֽרְדָ֔ה & שָׁ֖ם (1)“we must go down there now” or “let us go to them”. Most Bible scholars think the plural pronoun “us” refers here to God and the fact that he is three Persons in one God. So it is best to keep this plural pronoun in your translation. See what you did for similar pronouns in Gen 1:26.
and … confuse their language
Quote: וְנָבְלָ֥ה & שְׂפָתָ֑ם (1)“and scramble their language” or “and mix up their language”
so that they will not understand
Quote: אֲשֶׁר֙ לֹ֣א יִשְׁמְע֔וּ (1)“so that they will not be able to understand” or “so that they cannot understand”
each other’s language
Quote: אִ֖ישׁ שְׂפַ֥ת רֵעֵֽהוּ (1)“what they say to each other.” or “each other.”
Genesis 11:8
Then Yahweh scattered them from there
Quote: וַיָּ֨פֶץ יְהוָ֥ה אֹתָ֛ם מִשָּׁ֖ם (1)“Then/So Yahweh did that and caused the people to leave from there and spread out” or “That is how Yahweh caused the people to leave from there and settle/live in different places”
over the face of the whole earth
Quote: עַל פְּנֵ֣י כָל הָאָ֑רֶץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“over the surface of the entire earth,” or “all over the earth/world,”
and they stopped building
Quote: וַֽיַּחְדְּל֖וּ לִבְנֹ֥ת (1)“so that they had to stop building/constructing”
the city
Quote: הָעִֽיר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“the city and the tower.” or “the city and the tall building.” For some languages it is better to change the order of clauses in this verse (so that events are in the order that they happened) and say, “In that way, Yahweh caused the people to stop building the city and the tower and to move away from each other, so that eventually they lived all over the world.” Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 11:9
For that {reason
Quote: עַל כֵּ֞ן (1)“That is why”
they called its name
Quote: קָרָ֤א שְׁמָהּ֙ (1)“people named the/that city” or “the name of the/that city is” or “the/that city was named/called”. Frequently in the Hebrew text, this phrase has a general meaning and does not refer to someone specific.
Babel
Quote: בָּבֶ֔ל (1)“Babel, which means “confused/mixed-up/scrambled,”” If you include the meaning of “Babel” here in your translation or in a footnote, be consistent with the way you translate “confused” later in this verse and in verse 7.
because there Yahweh
Quote: כִּי שָׁ֛ם & יְהוָ֖ה (1)“because that is where Yahweh” or “because it was in that city that Yahweh”
confused
Quote: בָּלַ֥ל (1)“mixed up” or “scrambled”
the language of the whole earth
Quote: שְׂפַ֣ת כָּל הָאָ֑רֶץ (1)“the language that everyone on the earth spoke/shared,”
and from there Yahweh scattered them
Quote: וּמִשָּׁם֙ הֱפִיצָ֣ם יְהוָ֔ה (1)“and in that way Yahweh/he made them spread out from there”
over the face of the whole earth
Quote: עַל פְּנֵ֖י כָּל הָאָֽרֶץ (1)“over the surface of the entire earth.” or “all over the earth/world.” See how you translated this phrase in verses 4 and 8.
Genesis 11:10
These {are} the generations of Shem
Quote: אֵ֚לֶּה תּוֹלְדֹ֣ת שֵׁ֔ם (1)“This/Here is the record/list of Shem’s descendants:” or “This is Shem’s genealogy/family-line:”
Shem {was} the son of 100 years, then he fathered Arpachshad two years after the flood
Quote: שֵׁ֚ם בֶּן מְאַ֣ת שָׁנָ֔ה וַיּ֖וֹלֶד אֶת אַרְפַּכְשָׁ֑ד שְׁנָתַ֖יִם אַחַ֥ר הַמַּבּֽוּל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“Two years after the flood began, when Shem was 100 years old, he had a son named Arpachshad/Arphaxad.” The phrase “after the flood” probably refers to two years after the flood began, not after it ended; see a similar case in Gen 9:28. Also be consistent here with how you spelled “Arpachshad/Arphaxad” in Gen 10:22.
Genesis 11:11
Then after he fathered Arpachshad, Shem lived
Quote: וַֽיְחִי שֵׁ֗ם אַֽחֲרֵי֙ הוֹלִיד֣וֹ אֶת אַרְפַּכְשָׁ֔ד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“After he fathered/had Arpachshad/Arphaxad, Shem/he lived” or “After Arpachshad/Arphaxad was born, Shem lived” or “After Arpachshad/Arphaxad’s birth, Shem lived”. Throughout this section, make sure that names and pronouns (like “he”) are used in a way that is accurate and natural in your language, so that it is always clear who is being referred to.
500 years
Quote: חֲמֵ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“another 500 years,” or “500 more years,” See how you translated Gen 5:7, which has the same sentence structure as 11:11. For some languages, it may be more natural to change the clause order of this sentence and say, “Shem lived 500 more years after Arpachshad/Arphaxad was born …” Do what is best in your language throughout this chapter.
and he fathered
Quote: וַיּ֥וֹלֶד (1)“and he also fathered/had” or “He/Shem also fathered/had” or “He/Shem was also the father of”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here. See how you translated this phrase and the following one in Gen 5:4.
other} sons and daughters
Quote: בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֽוֹת (1)“other sons as well as daughters.”
Genesis 11:12
And Arpachshad lived thirty-five years
Quote: וְאַרְפַּכְשַׁ֣ד חַ֔י חָמֵ֥שׁ וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֖ים שָׁנָ֑ה (1)“When Arpachshad/Arphaxad had lived thirty-five/35 years,” or “When Arpachshad/Arphaxad was thirty-five/35 years old,” Make sure that your translation of this clause does not mean that Arpachshad only lived to be thirty-five years old. Also, throughout this chapter, be consistent with how you have decided to handle numbers in the Bible. For example, many translation teams use words for single and double-digit numbers, but use numerals for larger numbers. This strategy helps prevent confusion with verse numbers. This is especially true in translations that use a large font size for verse numbers so that people doing group Bible study can easily see the numbers and be in the same verse together. See what you did in chapter 5.
then he fathered Shelah
Quote: וַיּ֖וֹלֶד אֶת שָֽׁלַח (1)“he fathered/had a son named Shelah.” or “he fathered/had a son he/they named Shelah.” or “he fathered/had a son whose name was Shelah.” See how you translated Gen 5:6, which has the same sentence structure as 11:12.
Genesis 11:13
Then after he fathered Shelah, Arpachshad lived
Quote: וַֽיְחִ֣י אַרְפַּכְשַׁ֗ד אַֽחֲרֵי֙ הוֹלִיד֣וֹ אֶת שֶׁ֔לַח (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“After he fathered/had Shelah, Arpachshad/Arphaxad lived” or “After Shelah was born, Arpachshad/Arphaxad lived” or “After Shem’s birth, Arpachshad/Arphaxad lived”. Be consistent with how you spell the name “Arpachshad/Arphaxad” in the book of Genesis. See Gen 10:22, 24; 11:10-13.
403 years
Quote: שָׁלֹ֣שׁ שָׁנִ֔ים וְאַרְבַּ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה (1)“another 403 years,” or “403 more years,”
and he fathered
Quote: וַיּ֥וֹלֶד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“and he also fathered/had” or “He/Arpachshad also fathered/had” or “He was also the father of”. Consider what is the best way in your language to refer to Arpachshad at this point in the paragraph.
other} sons and daughters
Quote: בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֽוֹת (1)“other sons as well as daughters.”
Genesis 11:14
And Shelah lived thirty years
Quote: וְשֶׁ֥לַח חַ֖י שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה (1)“When Shelah had lived thirty/30 years,” or “When Shelah was thirty/30 years old,”
then he fathered Eber
Quote: וַיּ֖וֹלֶד אֶת עֵֽבֶר (1)“he fathered/had a son named Eber.” or “he fathered/had a son whose name was Eber.”
Genesis 11:15
Then after he fathered Eber, Shelah lived
Quote: וַֽיְחִי שֶׁ֗לַח אַחֲרֵי֙ הוֹלִיד֣וֹ אֶת עֵ֔בֶר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“After he/Shelah fathered/had Eber, Shelah/he lived” or “After Eber was born, Shelah lived” or “After Eber’s birth, Shelah lived”. Be consistent with how you spell the name “Shelah” in Gen 10:24; 11:12-15.
403 years
Quote: שָׁלֹ֣שׁ שָׁנִ֔ים וְאַרְבַּ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה (1)“another 403 years,” or “403 more years,”
and he fathered
Quote: וַיּ֥וֹלֶד (1)“and he also fathered/had” or “He/Shelah also fathered/had” or “He/Shelah was also the father of”
other} sons and daughters
Quote: בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֽוֹת (1)“other sons as well as daughters.”
Genesis 11:16
And Eber lived thirty-four years
Quote: וַֽיְחִי עֵ֕בֶר אַרְבַּ֥ע וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֖ים שָׁנָ֑ה (1)“When Eber had lived thirty-four/34 years,” or “When Eber was thirty-four/34 years old,”
then he fathered Peleg
Quote: וַיּ֖וֹלֶד אֶת פָּֽלֶג (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“he fathered/had a son named Peleg.” or “he fathered/had a son whose name was Peleg.”
Genesis 11:17
Then after he fathered Peleg, Eber lived
Quote: וַֽיְחִי עֵ֗בֶר אַחֲרֵי֙ הוֹלִיד֣וֹ אֶת פֶּ֔לֶג (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“After he/Eber fathered/had Peleg, Eber/he lived” or “After Peleg was born, Eber lived” or “After Peleg’s birth, Eber lived”. Be consistent with how you spell the name “Eber” in Gen 10:24-25; 11:14-17.
430 years
Quote: שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים שָׁנָ֔ה וְאַרְבַּ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָ֑ה (1)“another 430 years,” or “430 more years,”
and he fathered
Quote: וַיּ֥וֹלֶד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“and he also fathered/had” or “He/Eber also fathered/had” or “He/Eber was also the father of”. Consider what is the best way in your language to refer to Eber at this point in the paragraph.
other} sons and daughters
Quote: בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֽוֹת (1)“other sons as well as daughters.”
Genesis 11:18
And Peleg lived thirty years
Quote: וַֽיְחִי פֶ֖לֶג שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה (1)“When Peleg had lived thirty/30 years,” or “When Peleg was thirty/30 years old,”
then he fathered Reu
Quote: וַיּ֖וֹלֶד אֶת רְעֽוּ (1)“he fathered/had a son named Reu.” or “he fathered/had a son whose name was Reu.”
Genesis 11:19
Then after he fathered Reu, Peleg lived
Quote: וַֽיְחִי פֶ֗לֶג אַחֲרֵי֙ הוֹלִיד֣וֹ אֶת רְע֔וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“After he/Peleg had Reu, Peleg/he lived” or “After Reu was born, Peleg lived” or “After Reu’s birth, Peleg lived”. Be consistent with how you spell the name “Peleg” in Gen 10:25; 11:16-19.
209 years
Quote: תֵּ֥שַׁע שָׁנִ֖ים וּמָאתַ֣יִם שָׁנָ֑ה (1)“another 209 years,” or “209 more years,”
and he fathered
Quote: וַיּ֥וֹלֶד (1)“and he also fathered/had” or “He/Peleg also fathered/had” or “He/Peleg was also the father of”
other} sons and daughters
Quote: בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֽוֹת (1)“other sons as well as daughters.”
Genesis 11:20
And Reu lived thirty-two years
Quote: וַיְחִ֣י רְע֔וּ שְׁתַּ֥יִם וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֖ים שָׁנָ֑ה (1)“When Reu had lived thirty-two/32 years,” or “When Reu was thirty-two/32 years old,”
then he fathered Serug
Quote: וַיּ֖וֹלֶד אֶת שְׂרֽוּג (1)“he fathered/had a son named Serug.” or “he fathered/had a son whose name was Serug.”
Genesis 11:21
Then after he fathered Serug, Reu lived
Quote: וַיְחִ֣י רְע֗וּ אַחֲרֵי֙ הוֹלִיד֣וֹ אֶת שְׂר֔וּג (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“After he/Reu had Serug, Reu/he lived” or “After Serug was born, Reu lived” or “After Serug’s birth, Reu lived”. Be consistent with how you spell “Reu” in Gen 11:18-21.
207 years
Quote: שֶׁ֥בַע שָׁנִ֖ים וּמָאתַ֣יִם שָׁנָ֑ה (1)“another 207 years,” or “207 more years,”
and he fathered
Quote: וַיּ֥וֹלֶד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“and he also fathered/had” or “He/Reu also fathered/had” or “He/Reu was also the father of”. Consider what is the best way in your language to refer to Reu at this point in the paragraph.
other} sons and daughters
Quote: בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֽוֹת (1)“other sons as well as daughters.”
Genesis 11:22
And Serug lived thirty years
Quote: וַיְחִ֥י שְׂר֖וּג שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה (1)“When Serug had lived thirty/30 years,” or “When Serug was thirty/30 years old,”
then he fathered Nahor
Quote: וַיּ֖וֹלֶד אֶת נָחֽוֹר (1)“he fathered/had a son named Nahor.” or “he fathered/had a son whose name was Nahor.”
Genesis 11:23
Then after he fathered Nahor, Serug lived
Quote: וַיְחִ֣י שְׂר֗וּג אַחֲרֵ֛י הוֹלִיד֥וֹ אֶת נָח֖וֹר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“After he/Serug had Nahor, Serug/he lived” or “After Nahor was born, Serug lived” or “After Nahor’s birth, Serug lived”. Be consistent with how you spell the name “Serug” in Gen 11:20-23.
200 years
Quote: מָאתַ֣יִם שָׁנָ֑ה (1)“another 200 years,” or “200 more years,”
and he fathered
Quote: וַיּ֥וֹלֶד (1)“and he also fathered/had” or “He/Serug also fathered/had” or “He/Serug was also the father of”
other} sons and daughters
Quote: בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֽוֹת (1)“other sons as well as daughters.”
Genesis 11:24
And Nahor lived twenty-nine years
Quote: וַיְחִ֣י נָח֔וֹר תֵּ֥שַׁע וְעֶשְׂרִ֖ים שָׁנָ֑ה (1)“When Nahor had lived twenty-nine/29 years,” or “When Nahor was twenty-nine/29 years old,”
then he fathered Terah
Quote: וַיּ֖וֹלֶד אֶת תָּֽרַח (1)“he fathered/had a son named Terah.” or “he fathered/had a son whose name was Terah.” Consider again how you translated verses 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24, which all have the same sentence structure.
Genesis 11:25
Then after he fathered Terah, Nahor lived
Quote: וַיְחִ֣י נָח֗וֹר אַחֲרֵי֙ הוֹלִיד֣וֹ אֶת תֶּ֔רַח (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“After he/Nahor had Terah, Nahor/he lived” or “After Terah was born, Nahor lived” or “After Terah’s birth, Nahor lived”
119 years
Quote: תְּשַֽׁע־עֶשְׂרֵ֥ה שָׁנָ֖ה וּמְאַ֣ת שָׁנָ֑ה (1)“another 119 years,” or “119 more years,”
and he fathered
Quote: וַיּ֥וֹלֶד (1)“and he also fathered/had” or “He/Nahor also fathered/had” or “He/Nahor was also the father of”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
other} sons and daughters
Quote: בָּנִ֖ים וּבָנֽוֹת (1)“other sons as well as daughters.” Consider again how you translated verses 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23 and 25, which all have the same sentence structure.
Genesis 11:26
And Terah lived seventy years
Quote: וַֽיְחִי־תֶ֖רַח שִׁבְעִ֣ים שָׁנָ֑ה (1)“After Terah had lived seventy/70 years,” or “After Terah was/turned seventy/70 years old,” Your translation needs to allow for the fact that Terah’s sons were not triplets (just as Noah’s sons were not triplets; see Gen 5:32), rather he started having children after he turned seventy and his sons were born in different years after that. In fact, Abram was not born until Terah was at least 130 years old (11:32, 12:4-5; Acts 7:4), and he was probably Terah’s youngest son. Abram is listed first (instead of Haran or Nahor) probably because of his importance as the one whom Yahweh made His covenant with. Some of this information could be put in a footnote.
then he fathered Abram, Nahor, and Haran
Quote: וַיּ֨וֹלֶד֙ אֶת אַבְרָ֔ם אֶת נָח֖וֹר וְאֶת הָרָֽן (1)“he fathered/had sons named Abram, Nahor, and Haran.” or “he fathered/had sons whose names were Abram, Nahor, and Haran.”
Genesis 11:27
Now these {are} the generations of Terah
Quote: וְאֵ֨לֶּה֙ תּוֹלְדֹ֣ת תֶּ֔רַח (1)“Here/This is the history/account/record about/of Terah and his descendants/family:” This section is different from the previous section. What follows is a history about Terah’s descendants (especially Abram); it is not a genealogy or list of names. See how you translated a similar phrase in Gen 6:9.
Terah fathered Abram, Nahor, and Haran
Quote: תֶּ֚רַח הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת אַבְרָ֔ם אֶת נָח֖וֹר וְאֶת הָרָ֑ן (1)“Terah fathered/had sons named Abram, Nahor, and Haran;” or “Terah’s sons were Abram, Nahor, and Haran.”
and Haran fathered Lot
Quote: וְהָרָ֖ן הוֹלִ֥יד אֶת לֽוֹט (1)“and Haran fathered/had a son named Lot.” or “Haran’s son was named Lot.” or “and Haran had a son whose name was Lot.”
Genesis 11:28
And Haran died in the presence of Terah his father
Quote: וַיָּ֣מָת הָרָ֔ן עַל פְּנֵ֖י תֶּ֣רַח אָבִ֑יו (1)“Later Haran died while he was with his father Terah,” or “While his father Terah was still alive, Haran died”
in the land of his birth
Quote: בְּאֶ֥רֶץ מוֹלַדְתּ֖וֹ (1)“in the land where he was born,” or “in his native land,”
in Ur of the Kasdim
Quote: בְּא֥וּר כַּשְׂדִּֽים (1)“in the city of Ur which was ruled/inhabited by the Kasdim/Chaldeans.” or “in the city of Ur where the Kasdim/Chaldean people lived.” The word “Kasdim” probably comes from the name of one of Nahor’s sons, Kesed (Gen 22:22), and often refers to the Chaldeans who were a people group that lived in the country of Babylonia (where Ur was located).
Genesis 11:29
And Abram and Nahor took wives for themselves
Quote: וַיִּקַּ֨ח אַבְרָ֧ם וְנָח֛וֹר לָהֶ֖ם נָשִׁ֑ים (1)“Meanwhile Abram and Nahor each got married.” or “Abram and Nahor each married a wife.”
The name of Abram’s wife {was} Sarai
Quote: שֵׁ֤ם אֵֽשֶׁת אַבְרָם֙ שָׂרָ֔י (1)“Abram’s wife was named Sarai,”
and the name of Nahor’s wife {was} Milcah
Quote: וְשֵׁ֤ם אֵֽשֶׁת נָחוֹר֙ מִלְכָּ֔ה (1)“and Nahor’s wife was Milcah.”
the daughter of Haran, the father of Milcah and the father of Iscah
Quote: בַּת הָרָ֥ן אֲבִֽי מִלְכָּ֖ה וַֽאֲבִ֥י יִסְכָּֽה (1)“She/Milcah was the daughter of his/Nahor’s brother Haran, who was the father of both Milcah and her sister Iscah.” or “Milcah and her sister Iscah were Haran’s daughters.”
Genesis 11:30
But Sarai was barren
Quote: וַתְּהִ֥י שָׂרַ֖י עֲקָרָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background
“But/Now Sarai was unable to conceive,” or “Sarai was not able to become/get pregnant,” Consider what is the best way in your language to introduce this background information about Sarai.
she did not have a child
Quote: אֵ֥ין לָ֖הּ וָלָֽד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“so she did not have any children.” or “so she had no children.” For some languages it may be better to switch the order of the clauses in this verse and say, “But/Now Sarai did not have any children, because she was not able to conceive.” Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 11:31
Then Terah took
Quote: וַיִּקַּ֨ח תֶּ֜רַח (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent
“Then one day, Terah gathered” or “One day, Terah brought/called together”. Consider what is the best way to begin this new paragraph in your language.
Abram his son
Quote: אֶת אַבְרָ֣ם בְּנ֗וֹ (1)“his son Abram,” Make sure it is clear in your translation of this phrase that “his son” refers to Abram, not another person.
and Lot, Haran’s son, his son’s son
Quote: וְאֶת ל֤וֹט בֶּן הָרָן֙ בֶּן בְּנ֔וֹ (1)“and Lot, who was his son Haran’s son,” or “and his grandson Lot, who was Haran’s son,” The phrases “Lot,” “Haran’s son,” and “his son’s son” all refer to Lot. Make sure that is clear in your translation and that it does not sound like three people.
and Sarai his daughter-in-law
Quote: וְאֵת֙ שָׂרַ֣י כַּלָּת֔וֹ (1)“and his daughter-in-law Sarai,” The phrases “Sarai,” “his daughter-in-law,” and “the wife of his son Abram” all refer to Sarai. Make sure that is clear in your translation.
the wife of his son Abram
Quote: אֵ֖שֶׁת אַבְרָ֣ם בְּנ֑וֹ (1)“who was his son Abram’s wife,” or “who was Abram’s wife,”
and they went out together
Quote: וַיֵּצְא֨וּ אִתָּ֜ם (1)“and they all left” or “and all of them set out together” or “Then they all left”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
from Ur of
Quote: מֵא֣וּר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“from the city of Ur” or “from Ur City”. See the note at Gen 10:19 about how to translate the names of cities.
the Kasdim
Quote: כַּשְׂדִּ֗ים (1)“of the Chaldeans” or “where the Kasdim/Chaldean people lived”. See how you translated this phrase in verse 28.
to go to the land of Canaan
Quote: לָלֶ֨כֶת֙ אַ֣רְצָה כְּנַ֔עַן (1)“to go/travel to the region of/called Canaan.” or “to go/travel to Canaan Land.”
But they came to Haran
Quote: וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ עַד חָרָ֖ן (1)“But on the way there, they came to the city of Haran, and” or “But along the way, when they arrived/stopped at the city of Haran,” The city of Haran was not in the land of Canaan, rather it was around 450 kilometers (280 miles) northeast of there.
and they settled there
Quote: וַיֵּ֥שְׁבוּ שָֽׁם (1)“they settled/stayed there instead.” or “they decided to settle/live there instead.”
Genesis 11:32
And the days of Terah were 205 years
Quote: וַיִּהְי֣וּ יְמֵי תֶ֔רַח חָמֵ֥שׁ שָׁנִ֖ים וּמָאתַ֣יִם שָׁנָ֑ה (1)“Then many years later, when Terah was 205 years old,” or “When Terah reached the age of 205 years,”
then Terah died
Quote: וַיָּ֥מָת תֶּ֖רַח (1)“he died there”
in Haran
Quote: בְּחָרָֽן (1)“in the city of Haran.” or “in Haran City.”
Genesis 12
Genesis 12:1
Then Yahweh said to Abram
Quote: וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ אֶל אַבְרָ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent
Consider what is the best way to begin this new section in your language. Also, make sure that the way you translate this quote margin fits with what Yahweh says in the following quote. Alternate translation: “Then one day Yahweh told Abram”
You yourself must go from your land
Quote: לֶךְ לְךָ֛ מֵאַרְצְךָ֥ (1)Alternate translation: “Get yourself away from your homeland” or “You must move away from your homeland” or “You must leave behind the land where you are living”
and from your relatives
Quote: וּמִמּֽוֹלַדְתְּךָ֖ (1)Alternate translation: “and your relatives”
and from the house of your father
Quote: וּמִבֵּ֣ית אָבִ֑יךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The phrase the house refers here to everyone who was a member of Terah’s household. Alternate translation: “including your father’s household”
to the land
Quote: אֶל הָאָ֖רֶץ (1)Alternate translation: “and go to the land”
that I will show you
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַרְאֶֽךָּ (1)Alternate translation: “that I will guide you to”
Genesis 12:2
And I will make you
Quote: וְאֶֽעֶשְׂךָ֙ (1)Alternate translation: “I will make you and your descendants become” or “I will make you the father of”
into a great nation
Quote: לְג֣וֹי גָּד֔וֹל (1)Alternate translation: “an important people group” or “a large, important people group”
and I will bless you
Quote: וַאֲבָ֣רֶכְךָ֔ (1)See how you translated “blessed” in Genesis 1:22, 28. It may be necessary to translate this term in different ways, depending on the context. Alternate translation: “and I will bless you and them” or “and I will cause you all to prosper”
and I will make your name great
Quote: וַאֲגַדְּלָ֖ה שְׁמֶ֑ךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Consider what is the best way to translate this idiom in your language. Also consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “I will make you important and well-known”
and you must be a blessing
Quote: וֶהְיֵ֖ה בְּרָכָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Alternate translation: “and you will be a blessing to many people” or “and you and your descendants will bless many people” or “and I will use you and your descendants to bless many people”
Genesis 12:3
And I will bless those who bless you
Quote: וַאֲבָֽרֲכָה֙ מְבָ֣רְכֶ֔יךָ (1)Alternate translation: “I will bless everyone who blesses you”
but whoever curses you I will curse
Quote: וּמְקַלֶּלְךָ֖ אָאֹ֑ר (1)See how you translated “curse” in Gen 8:21. Alternate translation: “but I will curse anyone who curses you.”
in you
Quote: בְךָ֔ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
This phrase refers to Abram and his descendants, including ultimately the Messiah. In other words, God’s promise in this verse is part of his wonderful news (the Gospel message) for all people (Galatians 3:8-9) and is a prophecy about the Messiah, who was one of Abraham’s descendants (Matthew 1:1, Genesis 22:18, Galatians 3:16). God blessed all people on earth by sending his Son Jesus (the Messiah) to die in their place and pay for all their sins (John 3:16-18, 1 Timothy 2:3-6), so that they could have a close relationship with him and be part of his family forever. God repeats this great promise in Genesis 18:18; 22:18; 26:4; 28:14. You could put some of that information in a footnote. Alternate translation: “Through you and your offspring” or “Because of you and your offspring” or “By means of you and your offspring”
And … all the families of the earth will be blessed
Quote: וְנִבְרְכ֣וּ & כֹּ֖ל מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת הָאֲדָמָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
Consider what is the best way in your language to translate this passive sentence. For some languages it is clearer to change the order of the sentence and say, “I will use you and your offspring to bless all the families on the earth.” Do what is best in your language. Alternate translation: “all the families on the earth will be blessed by me” or “I will bless all the families on the earth”
Genesis 12:4
Then Abram went, just as Yahweh had told him
Quote: וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ אַבְרָ֗ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבֶּ֤ר אֵלָיו֙ יְהוָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases
Consider what is the best way in your language to begin this sentence to show that Abram is now doing what God just commanded him to do (verse 1). Alternate translation: “Then Abram left the city of Haran, just as Yahweh had told him to do” or “Then Abram did what Yahweh had told him to do and left the city of Haran”
and Lot went with him
Quote: וַיֵּ֥לֶךְ אִתּ֖וֹ ל֑וֹט (1)Alternate translation: “and his nephew Lot went with him.”
And Abram
Quote: וְאַבְרָ֗ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-background
Many translations omit the conjunction “And” or “Now” here. Do what is best in your language. Alternate translation: “Now Abram” or “Abram”
was the son of
Quote: בֶּן (1)See how you translated a similar phrase in Gen 5:32 and 11:10. Alternate translation: “was seventy-five years old”.
when he departed
Quote: בְּצֵאת֖וֹ (1)Alternate translation: “when he left” or “when he set out”
from Haran
Quote: מֵחָרָֽן (1)Alternate translation: “from the city of Haran” or “from there”
Genesis 12:5
And Abram took Sarai his wife
Quote: וַיִּקַּ֣ח אַבְרָם֩ אֶת שָׂרַ֨י אִשְׁתּ֜וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go
Be consistent here with how you spelled “Sarai” in Genesis 11:29-31. Alternate translation: “Abram took with him his wife Sarai”
and Lot the son of his brother
Quote: וְאֶת ל֣וֹט בֶּן אָחִ֗יו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
For some languages it is more natural to make “son of his brother” or “his nephew” explicit in verse 4 (where Lot is first mentioned in this section) and leave it implied here in verse 5. Do what is best in your language. Alternate translation: “and his deceased brother’s son Lot” or “and his nephew Lot”
and all their possessions that they had accumulated and the people whom they had acquired
Quote: וְאֶת כָּל רְכוּשָׁם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר רָכָ֔שׁוּ וְאֶת הַנֶּ֖פֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר עָשׂ֣וּ (1)The word possessions is general here and includes slaves, animals, furniture, clothes, and money. See how you translated “slave” or “servant” in Gen 9:25-27. Alternate translation: “everything that they owned, including slaves and everything else they had acquired”
in Haran
Quote: בְחָרָ֑ן (1)Alternate translation: “in the city of Haran” or “in Haran City”
and they set out to go
Quote: וַיֵּצְא֗וּ לָלֶ֨כֶת֙ (1)Alternate translation: “and they all started traveling”
to the land of Canaan
Quote: אַ֣רְצָה כְּנַ֔עַן (1)Alternate translation: “to the land of Canaan” or “to Canaan Land”
Then they came to the land of Canaan
Quote: וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ אַ֥רְצָה כְּנָֽעַן (1)Alternate translation: “Then they arrived in Canaan.” or “When they reached Canaan” or “When they arrived there”
Genesis 12:6
Then Abram passed
Quote: וַיַּעֲבֹ֤ר אַבְרָם֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Abram is the only one named here because he is in focus. However, your translation should not sound like he traveled alone in verse 6. Also make sure that the way you begin this verse in your translation fits with the way you ended verse 5. Alternate translation: “Abram traveled” or “Abram and his family traveled” or “they traveled”
through the land
Quote: בָּאָ֔רֶץ (1)See how you translated land in verse 5. Alternate translation: “through that land”
as far as
Quote: עַ֚ד (1)Alternate translation: “until they arrived at” or “to”
the place of Shechem
Quote: מְק֣וֹם שְׁכֶ֔ם (1)The Hebrew text is ambiguous here. It could mean: (1) “the city of Shechem” or (2) “the sacred place at the city of Shechem”
to the terebinth tree of Moreh
Quote: עַ֖ד אֵל֣וֹן מוֹרֶ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
Moreh is probably the name of the person who owned the land where the terebinth tree was. A terebinth tree is a large, broadleaf, flowering tree in the cashew family that can grow to a height of 5 to 12 meters (16 to 40 feet). The Hebrew words for “oak” and “terebinth” are similar, so many translations (including LXX) translate this as “oak tree” here. Notice, however, that oak trees and terebinth trees are from two different families of trees. Alternate translation: “to Moreh’s terebinth tree” or “to the terebinth tree on Moreh’s land”
And the Canaanites {were} in the land at that time
Quote: וְהַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֖י אָ֥ז בָּאָֽרֶץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
For some languages it is clearer and more natural to put the time phrase (at that time) first in this sentence. Alternate translation: “At that time the Canaanites were still living in that land”
Genesis 12:7
Then Yahweh appeared to Abram
Quote: וַיֵּרָ֤א יְהוָה֙ אֶל אַבְרָ֔ם (1)Yahweh’s promise in verse 7 to give Canaan to Abram’s descendants contrasts with the fact that the Canaanites were still occupying that region (verse 6). Also, notice that the text does not specify in what form or in what way God appeared to Abram, so your translation should not do that either. Alternate translation: “Then Yahweh came to Abram” or “but Yahweh visited Abram”
and said
Quote: וַיֹּ֕אמֶר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
Alternate translation: “and said to him”
To your offspring I will give this land
Quote: לְזַ֨רְעֲךָ֔ אֶתֵּ֖ן אֶת הָאָ֣רֶץ הַזֹּ֑את (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
In the Hebrew text, the phrase to your offspring is emphasized by its position at the beginning of this quote. However, for some languages it may be clearer and more natural to change the order of the clauses and say, “I will give this land to your offspring.” Do what is best in your language. Alternate translation: “I will give this land to your offspring”
So he built an altar
Quote: וַיִּ֤בֶן & מִזְבֵּ֔חַ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
Consider what is the best way to refer to Abram here in your language. See how you translated “altar” in Gen 8:20. Alternate translation: “So he built an altar out of large stones” or “So he built a sacrifice table with stones”
there
Quote: שָׁם֙ (1)Alternate translation: “near the tree” or “in that place”
to Yahweh
Quote: לַיהוָ֖ה (1)Alternate translation: “to worship Yahweh” or “and burned sacrifices on it to thank and worship Yahweh”
who had appeared to him
Quote: הַנִּרְאֶ֥ה אֵלָֽיו (1)See how you translated appeared earlier in verse 7. Alternate translation: “who had appeared to him there” or “because he had appeared to him there”
Genesis 12:8
Then from there he went on
Quote: וַיַּעְתֵּ֨ק מִשָּׁ֜ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
Alternate translation: “From the place of Shechem, he and his family moved south to”
to the mountains to the east of Bethel
Quote: הָהָ֗רָה מִקֶּ֛דֶם לְבֵֽית אֵ֖ל (1)Alternate translation: “the hill country that was east of the town of Bethel” or “the mountainous region east of the town of Bethel”
and pitched his tents
Quote: וַיֵּ֣ט אָהֳלֹ֑ה (1)Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here. See how you translated “tent” in Gen 9:21, 27. Alternate translation: “and set up his tents there” or “They set up their tents”.
with} Bethel on the west and Ai on the east
Quote: בֵּֽית אֵ֤ל מִיָּם֙ וְהָעַ֣י מִקֶּ֔דֶם (1)Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “between Bethel to the west and the town of Ai to the east” or “Bethel was to the west of them and the town of Ai was to the east”
And there he built
Quote: וַיִּֽבֶן שָׁ֤ם (1)Alternate translation: “There he built”
an altar
Quote: מִזְבֵּ֨חַ֙ (1)See how you translated “altar” in verse 7. Alternate translation: “another altar” or “another sacrifice table”
to Yahweh
Quote: לַֽיהוָ֔ה (1)See how you translated “to Yahweh” in verse 7. Alternate translation: “and burned sacrifices on it to worship Yahweh”
and he called on the name of Yahweh
Quote: וַיִּקְרָ֖א בְּשֵׁ֥ם יְהוָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
See how you translated a similar clause in Gen 4:26. Alternate translation: “and he worshiped Yahweh by name.” or “he addressed Yahweh by his name as he worshiped him” or “he used Yahweh’s name in his prayers and worship” or “he worshiped Yahweh”
Genesis 12:9
Then Abram set out and continued to travel
Quote: וַיִּסַּ֣ע אַבְרָ֔ם הָל֥וֹךְ וְנָס֖וֹעַ (1)Alternate translation: “After that, Abram and his family traveled in stages” or “Then Abram and his family moved from place to place”
toward the Negev
Quote: הַנֶּֽגְבָּה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
The Hebrew word Negev can mean “south” or “dry country,” so some translations translate the meaning. But most translations transliterate the Hebrew name (as “Negev” or “Negeb”) as they do with other names in the Bible. Alternate translation: “south toward the Negev Wilderness” or “southward until they reached the Negev Wilderness”
Genesis 12:10
Then there was
Quote: וַיְהִ֥י (1)This clause gives the setting for the rest of the sentence. Translate this in a way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Now there was”
a famine
Quote: רָעָ֖ב (1)A famine is a prolonged period of time when people are starving because crops are failing, often due to a lack of rain or other severe weather conditions. Alternate translation: “a serious shortage of food” or “a hungry time when food was very scarce”
in the land
Quote: בָּאָ֑רֶץ (1)Alternate translation: “in that land” or “in the Negev Wilderness”
so Abram went down
Quote: וַיֵּ֨רֶד אַבְרָ֤ם (1)This phrase refers to the fact that Egypt is lower in elevation than Canaan verse 5). It is also located southwest of Canaan. Alternate translation: “so Abram and his family headed southwest” or “so Abram and his family went further south”
to Egypt
Quote: מִצְרַ֨יְמָה֙ (1)Alternate translation: “to the land of Egypt”
to sojourn there
Quote: לָג֣וּר שָׁ֔ם (1)Alternate translation: “to live there for a while”
because the famine {was} heavy
Quote: כִּֽי כָבֵ֥ד הָרָעָ֖ב (1)Alternate translation: “because the food shortage was very severe”
in the land
Quote: בָּאָֽרֶץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
For some languages it may be more natural to put this clause near the beginning of this verse and say, “Then there was a famine in that land that was so heavy that Abram and his family left there and went down to the land of Egypt to live for a while.” Do what is best in your language. Alternate translation: “in that land” or “in the Negev Wilderness so they could not survive there”
Genesis 12:11
And it happened that as he was about to enter Egypt
Quote: וַיְהִ֕י כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר הִקְרִ֖יב לָב֣וֹא מִצְרָ֑יְמָה (1)Alternate translation: “Just before they arrived in Egypt” or “As they approached Egypt”
then he said to Sarai his wife
Quote: וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ אֶל־שָׂרַ֣י אִשְׁתּ֔וֹ (1)Alternate translation: “Abram said to his wife Sarai” or “he told his wife Sarai”
Behold please
Quote: הִנֵּה נָ֣א (1)Alternate translation: “Listen please” or “Please listen to me:”
I know that you {are} a woman beautiful in appearance
Quote: יָדַ֔עְתִּי כִּ֛י אִשָּׁ֥ה יְפַת מַרְאֶ֖ה אָֽתְּ (1)Alternate translation: “I know that you are a very beautiful woman” or “you are a very beautiful woman”
Genesis 12:12
So it will happen when
Quote: וְהָיָ֗ה כִּֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
Consider whether it is better in your language to begin this sentence with or without a conjunction (SoAlternate translation: “So when” or “When”
the Egyptians
Quote: הַמִּצְרִ֔ים (1)Alternate translation: “the people of Egypt”
see you
Quote: יִרְא֤וּ אֹתָךְ֙ (1)Alternate translation: “see you with me”
then they will say, ‘This {is} his wife
Quote: וְאָמְר֖וּ אִשְׁתּ֣וֹ זֹ֑את (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations
Consider whether it is better in your language to translate this embedded quote as a direct or indirect quote. Alternate translation: “they will say that you are my wife”
and they will kill me but let you live
Quote: וְהָרְג֥וּ אֹתִ֖י וְאֹתָ֥ךְ יְחַיּֽוּ (1)Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “Then they will kill me but let you live so that they can have you”
Genesis 12:13
Please say
Quote: אִמְרִי נָ֖א (1)Alternate translation: “So please tell people”
that} you {are} my sister
Quote: אֲחֹ֣תִי אָ֑תְּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations
Consider whether an indirect quote or direct quote is best here in your language. Alternate translation: “ ‘I am his sister’ ”
so that it will go well for me
Quote: לְמַ֨עַן֙ יִֽיטַב לִ֣י (1)Alternate translation: “so that I will be treated well” or “so that they will treat me well”
for your sake
Quote: בַעֲבוּרֵ֔ךְ (1)Alternate translation: “because of you”
and my life will live because of you
Quote: וְחָיְתָ֥ה נַפְשִׁ֖י בִּגְלָלֵֽךְ (1)For some languages it is not natural to include the phrase because of you here, because it repeats the same idea as for your sake in the previous clause. Do what is best in your language. Alternate translation: “and my life will be spared by them” or “and they will spare my life” or “and they will let me live”
Genesis 12:14
Then it happened
Quote: וַיְהִ֕י (1)Alternate translation: “That is exactly what happened:”
when Abram came into Egypt
Quote: כְּב֥וֹא אַבְרָ֖ם מִצְרָ֑יְמָה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Although Abram is in focus here, your translation should not sound like he was traveling alone. Alternate translation: “When Abram and his family entered the land of Egypt”
then the Egyptians saw
Quote: וַיִּרְא֤וּ הַמִּצְרִים֙ (1)Alternate translation: “the Egyptian people saw” or “the people living there saw”
the woman, that she {was} very beautiful
Quote: אֶת־הָ֣אִשָּׁ֔ה כִּֽי־יָפָ֥ה הִ֖וא מְאֹֽד (1)Alternate translation: “that the woman with him was indeed very beautiful” or “that Sarai was indeed very beautiful”
Genesis 12:15
And the officials of Pharaoh saw her
Quote: וַיִּרְא֤וּ אֹתָהּ֙ שָׂרֵ֣י פַרְעֹ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
The term officials is general and refers to leaders or rulers who were under Pharaoh and served him. Also, the term Pharaoh is an Egyptian title that refers to the king or ruler over Egypt. However, in the Old Testament, it is treated as a name (that frequently occurs with the title “king of Egypt”), so translators often transliterate “Pharaoh” (which is how other names in the Bible are normally treated). Some languages require an honorific title with the names of kings, for example, “King Pharaoh”. Decide how you will handle this in your translation. Alternate translation: “Some of the officials who served under the Egyptian king noticed her, so” or “When some officials of Pharaoh the king of Egypt saw her”
so they praised her to Pharaoh
Quote: וַיְהַֽלְל֥וּ אֹתָ֖הּ אֶל פַּרְעֹ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
Alternate translation: “they told Pharaoh how beautiful she was” or “they highly recommended her to him”
and the woman was taken
Quote: וַתֻּקַּ֥ח הָאִשָּׁ֖ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
Consider what is the best way to translate this passive clause in your language. Also consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “and she was taken” or “So he had them bring her”
into Pharaoh’s house
Quote: בֵּ֥ית פַּרְעֹֽה (1)Alternate translation: “into his palace to be one of his wives”
Genesis 12:16
Then he treated Abram well for her sake
Quote: וּלְאַבְרָ֥ם הֵיטִ֖יב בַּעֲבוּרָ֑הּ (1)Alternate translation: “Then Pharaoh treated Abram well because of her” or “The king thought that Abram was her’s brother, so he treated him well.”
so that he had
Quote: וַֽיְהִי ל֤וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
Make sure it is clear in your translation who is being referred to here. Also consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here. Alternate translation: “and Abram acquired from him” or “and he gave him” or “He gave him”
flock{s} and herd{s
Quote: צֹאן וּבָקָר֙ (1)Alternate translation: “flocks of sheep and herds of cattle,” or “many sheep and cattle,”
and male donkeys and male slaves and female slaves and female donkeys
Quote: וַחֲמֹרִ֔ים וַעֲבָדִים֙ וּשְׁפָחֹ֔ת וַאֲתֹנֹ֖ת (1)Alternate translation: “as well as men and women slaves, and male and female donkeys,”
and camels
Quote: וּגְמַלִּֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
If camels are not known in your language area, you could include a picture of a camel in your translation. You could also describe it in the text or in a footnote. Alternate translation: “and larger load-bearing animals called camels”
Genesis 12:17
But Yahweh struck Pharaoh and his house
Quote: וַיְנַגַּ֨ע יְהוָ֧ה אֶת פַּרְעֹ֛ה & וְאֶת בֵּית֑וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-honorifics
See how you translated Pharaoh in verse 15. You could translate it differently in different contexts. Do what is clear and natural in your language in each context. Alternate translation: “But Yahweh struck the king and the people in his household” or “Then Yahweh caused King Pharaoh and the people in his household to get very sick”
with} great plagues
Quote: נְגָעִ֥ים גְּדֹלִ֖ים (1)Alternate translation: “with severe diseases”
on account of Sarai the wife of Abram
Quote: עַל דְּבַ֥ר שָׂרַ֖י אֵ֥שֶׁת אַבְרָֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
For many languages it is clearer and more natural to put this clause first in this verse and say, “But since King Pharaoh had taken Abram’s wife Sarai, Yahweh afflicted the king and his family with severe illnesses.” Do what is best in your language. Alternate translation: “because of Sarai, Abram’s wife” or “because he had taken Abram’s wife Sarai”
Genesis 12:18
So Pharaoh called
Quote: וַיִּקְרָ֤א פַרְעֹה֙ (1)Alternate translation: “So King Pharaoh called for Abram” or “So Pharaoh summoned Abram before him” or “So the king sent for Abram to come to him”
and said
Quote: וַיֹּ֕אמֶר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
Make sure that the way you translate this quote margin fits with the way that you translate the following quote. Alternate translation: “and said to him” or “and asked him”
What {is} this you have done to me
Quote: מַה זֹּ֖את עָשִׂ֣יתָ לִּ֑י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Pharaoh uses rhetorical questions in verses 18 and 19 to express his anger at what Abram had done; he does not expect Abram to answer him. Some languages must use statements or exclamations here instead. Do what is best in your language. Alternate translation: “Why have you treated me so badly?” or “You have treated me very badly!”
Why did you not tell me that she {was} your wife
Quote: לָ֚מָּה לֹא הִגַּ֣דְתָּ לִּ֔י כִּ֥י אִשְׁתְּךָ֖ הִֽוא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Alternate translation: “You should have told me that she is your wife!”
Genesis 12:19
Why did you say, ‘She {is} my sister
Quote: לָמָ֤ה אָמַ֨רְתָּ֙ אֲחֹ֣תִי הִ֔וא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Pharaoh uses this rhetorical question to scold Abram and express his anger at him. Consider what is the best way to do that in your language. Also consider whether it is better in your language to translate this embedded quote as a direct or indirect quote. Alternate translation: “Why did you say that she is your sister?” or “You should not have said that she is your sister,”
so that I took her to me as a wife
Quote: וָאֶקַּ֥ח אֹתָ֛הּ לִ֖י לְאִשָּׁ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
For some languages it is clearer and more natural to begin a new sentence here. Do what is best in your language. Alternate translation: “so that I took her to be a wife!” or “so that I ended up taking her to be my wife!” or “I believed you and took her to be my wife!”
Now then
Quote: וְעַתָּ֕ה (1)Alternate translation: “Now therefore” or “So now”
behold your wife
Quote: הִנֵּ֥ה אִשְׁתְּךָ֖ (1)Alternate translation: “here is your wife back” or “look, I’m giving your wife back to you”
Take {her} and go
Quote: קַ֥ח וָלֵֽךְ (1)Alternate translation: “Take her and leave my country”
Genesis 12:20
Then Pharaoh commanded
Quote: וַיְצַ֥ו & פַּרְעֹ֖ה (1)Consider again how you translated Pharaoh in verses 15-18, 20. It may be helpful to read this section aloud to make sure it is clear and natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Then King Pharaoh gave orders to” or “Then the Egyptian king ordered” or “Then the king of Egypt commanded”
his men
Quote: אֲנָשִׁ֑ים (1)Alternate translation: “some of his men”
concerning him
Quote: עָלָ֛יו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
Throughout this verse, make sure it is clear in your translation who is being referred to. Alternate translation: “concerning him” or “to make sure that Abram left”
and they sent him away
Quote: וַֽיְשַׁלְּח֥וּ אֹת֛וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
Alternate translation: “and they forced him to leave the country” or “and they expelled him from Egypt”
and his wife
Quote: וְאֶת אִשְׁתּ֖וֹ (1)Alternate translation: “along with his wife”
and everything that {belonged} to him
Quote: וְאֶת כָּל אֲשֶׁר לֽוֹ (1)This included Abram’s slaves, animals, and everything else that he owned. Alternate translation: “and all that he had” or “all his possessions”
Genesis 13
Genesis 13:1
Then Abram went up from Egypt
Quote: וַיַּעַל֩ אַבְרָ֨ם מִמִּצְרַ֜יִם (1)“So Abram went/traveled northeast from the land/country of Egypt,” or “Then/So Abram left the land/country of Egypt,” The Negev Wilderness (or Desert) is northeast in direction from Egypt and is higher in elevation. Compare how you translated “down” in Gen 12:10 when Abram traveled in the opposite direction.
he and his wife
Quote: ה֠וּא וְאִשְׁתּ֧וֹ (1)“taking with him his wife” or “He took with him his wife”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
and everything that {belonged} to him
Quote: וְכָל אֲשֶׁר ל֛וֹ (1)“and everything that he/they owned/had,”
and Lot with him
Quote: וְל֥וֹט עִמּ֖וֹ (1)“as well as his nephew Lot,” or “and also his nephew Lot,” or “and his nephew Lot went with him/them.”
to the Negev
Quote: הַנֶּֽגְבָּה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“and they all went/traveled back to the Negev/Southern Wilderness/Desert.” For many languages it is more natural to put this phrase earlier in this verse and say, “Then Abram went up from Egypt and traveled back to the Negev Wilderness/Desert, along with his wife and everything that belonged to him. His nephew Lot also went with them.” Do what is best in your language. Also see how you translated “Negev” in Gen 12:9, and see the note about that there.
Genesis 13:2
And Abram
Quote: וְאַבְרָ֖ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-background
“Now” or “By this/that time Abram” or “Abram”. Consider what is the best way in your language to introduce this background information about Abram.
was} very wealthy
Quote: כָּבֵ֣ד מְאֹ֑ד (1)“had become very wealthy/rich”
in livestock
Quote: בַּמִּקְנֶ֕ה (1)“with many livestock” or “so that he owned many livestock”. The term “livestock” includes all kinds of domestic animals, such as cattle, sheep, goats, camels and donkeys.
in silver, and in gold
Quote: בַּכֶּ֖סֶף וּבַזָּהָֽב (1)“and much silver and gold.” In this context, “silver and gold” includes the metals themselves as well as objects made out of the metals, but not coins (since coins did not exist at that time). See how you translated “gold” in Gen 2:11-12.
Genesis 13:3
from the Negev
Quote: מִנֶּ֖גֶב (1)“From the Negev/Southern Wilderness/Desert”. See how you translated “the Negev” in verse 1.
Then he went on his journeys
Quote: וַיֵּ֨לֶךְ֙ לְמַסָּעָ֔יו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“he/Abram and his family moved/traveled from place to place northward” or “he/Abram and his family continued traveling northward”. Abram represents his whole family here, and it is assumed that they are traveling with him. Consider whether or not you need to make them explicit in your language.
as far as Bethel
Quote: וְעַד בֵּֽית אֵ֑ל (1)“until he/they came to the town of Bethel,”
to the place where his tents had been
Quote: עַד הַמָּק֗וֹם אֲשֶׁר הָ֨יָה שָׁ֤ם אָֽהֳלוֹ֙ (1)“to the place/site where he/they had camped/lived in tents” or “where he had pitched his tents”
at the beginning
Quote: בַּתְּחִלָּ֔ה (1)“before/previously,” or “the first time he was there,”
between Bethel and Ai
Quote: בֵּ֥ין בֵּֽית אֵ֖ל וּבֵ֥ין הָעָֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“between the towns of Bethel and Ai,” For some languages it may be clearer or more natural to put this phrase earlier in the sentence and say, “Then from the Negev Desert Abram and his family continued traveling northward until they came to the place between the towns of Bethel and Ai where they had camped in tents before.” Do what is best in your language. Also, be consistent here with how you spelled “Bethel” and “Ai” in Gen 12:8.
Genesis 13:4
to the place of the altar that he had made there at first
Quote: אֶל מְקוֹם֙ הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ אֲשֶׁר עָ֥שָׂה שָׁ֖ם בָּרִאשֹׁנָ֑ה (1)“to the same place/site where he had made/built an altar before/previously,” or “That is/was the same place/site where he had first/previously made/built an altar,” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here. Also see how you translated “altar” in Gen 8:20 and 12:7-8.
and there Abram called on the name of Yahweh
Quote: וַיִּקְרָ֥א שָׁ֛ם אַבְרָ֖ם בְּשֵׁ֥ם יְהוָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“There again Abram/he sacrificed animals on the/that altar and addressed Yahweh by his name as he worshiped/praised him.” or “So Abram/he again used that altar there and worshiped/praised Yahweh by name.” or “… worshiped/praised Yahweh.” See how you translated “called on the name of Yahweh” in Gen 12:8.
Genesis 13:5
Now Lot, who was traveling with Abram, also had
Quote: וְגַם לְל֔וֹט הַהֹלֵ֖ךְ אֶת אַבְרָ֑ם הָיָ֥ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-background
“Lot was traveling with his uncle Abram, and he and his family also had/owned”. The word “Now” introduces more background information for the new episode. For some languages it is more natural to leave “Now” implied and just use a paragraph break. Do what is best in your language.
flock{s} and herd{s
Quote: צֹאן וּבָקָ֖ר (1)“flocks of sheep and goats and herds of cattle” or “many sheep and cattle”. See how you translated this phrase in Gen 12:16.
and tents
Quote: וְאֹהָלִֽים (1)“and many tents.” or “as well as many tents.”
Genesis 13:6
But the land could not support them
Quote: וְלֹא־נָשָׂ֥א אֹתָ֛ם הָאָ֖רֶץ (1)“As a result, there was not enough land to provide them all with enough food and water” or “In fact, there was not enough land to provide/have enough food and water for both families and their livestock/animals”
while they stayed together
Quote: לָשֶׁ֣בֶת יַחְדָּ֑ו (1)“if they lived near each other,” or “if they lived in the same area/region,”
because their possessions were great
Quote: כִּֽי הָיָ֤ה רְכוּשָׁם֙ רָ֔ב (1)“because their belongings were so abundant that” or “because they owned so many servants and livestock/animals that” or “They each owned so many servants and livestock/animals that”. The phrase “their possessions” especially refers to their livestock, which required much land to graze on and much water to drink, and probably also includes their many servants. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
so that they were not able to stay together
Quote: וְלֹ֥א יָֽכְל֖וּ לָשֶׁ֥בֶת יַחְדָּֽו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“they could not all live near each other.” or “it was not possible for them to all live in the same area/region.” See how you translated a similar phrase earlier in this verse. For some languages it may be clearer or more natural to change the order of the clauses in this sentence and say, “In fact, they each/both owned so many servants and livestock/animals that they could not live in the same area. There was not enough land to provide/produce the amount of food and water that they all needed.” Do what is best in your language. Also see how you translated “stayed together” earlier in this verse.
Genesis 13:7
Then there was
Quote: וַֽיְהִי (1)“In fact,” or “As a result,”
Then there was strife
Quote: וַֽיְהִי רִ֗יב (1)“there was conflict/arguing” or “arguments/quarreling erupted/started”. The Hebrew word for “strife” is general in meaning and can include arguing and fighting. Some languages have an idiom for this that fits well here. Do what is best in your language.
between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock
Quote: בֵּ֚ין רֹעֵ֣י מִקְנֵֽה אַבְרָ֔ם וּבֵ֖ין רֹעֵ֣י מִקְנֵה ל֑וֹט (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“between Abram’s herdsmen and Lot’s herdsmen.” or “between the men who were tending Abram’s livestock and the men who were tending Lot’s livestock.” For some languages it may be clearer and more natural to change the order of the clauses in this sentence and say, “Then the men who were taking care of Abram’s livestock and the men who were taking care of Lot’s livestock started to argue with each other.” Do what is best in your language.
And the Canaanites
Quote: וְהַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙ (1)“Besides that,” or “Adding to that problem was the fact that”
And the Canaanites and the Perizzites
Quote: וְהַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙ וְהַפְּרִזִּ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“the Canaanite people and the Perizzite people” or “the descendants of Canaan and Perez”. See how you translated the names of people groups in Gen 10, and see how you translated “the Canaanites” in Gen 12:6.
were living in the land
Quote: יֹשֵׁ֥ב בָּאָֽרֶץ (1)“were also living in the/that land/area/region”
then
Quote: אָ֖ז (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“at that time.” For some languages it is more natural to put this time phrase earlier in the sentence and say, “… at that time the Canaanites …” Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 13:8
So Abram said to Lot
Quote: וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אַבְרָ֜ם אֶל ל֗וֹט (1)“Then/Finally one day Abram said to Lot,”
Please do not let there be
Quote: אַל נָ֨א תְהִ֤י (1)“Please, we should not have/allow” or “We need to do something so that there is not any”
strife
Quote: מְרִיבָה֙ (1)“conflict/fighting/arguing”. See how you translated “strife” in verse 7.
between me and you
Quote: בֵּינִ֣י וּבֵינֶ֔יךָ (1)“between you and me,” or “between us,”
or between my herdsmen and your herdsmen
Quote: וּבֵ֥ין רֹעַ֖י וּבֵ֣ין רֹעֶ֑יךָ (1)“or/nor between the men tending my livestock and the men tending your livestock,” or “or/nor between our herdsmen,” See how you translated “herdsmen” in verse 7.
because we {are} men, brothers
Quote: כִּֽי אֲנָשִׁ֥ים אַחִ֖ים אֲנָֽחְנוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“because/since we are men who are also brothers/relatives.” or “because/since we are close relatives.” Abram and Lot were close relatives, not actual brothers. Also, for some languages it may be better to put this clause earlier in this verse and say, “Please, since we are close relatives, we need to do something so that you and I and our herdsmen will not argue.” Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 13:9
Is not the whole land before you
Quote: הֲלֹ֤א כָל הָאָ֨רֶץ֙ לְפָנֶ֔יךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
“Look, the entire land is available to you to choose from.” or “You can choose to live anywhere in this entire land.” Abram is using a rhetorical question to emphasize his point. He does not expect an answer from Lot. If that is not clear, you can translate this as a statement.
Please separate from me
Quote: הִפָּ֥רֶד נָ֖א מֵעָלָ֑י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-politeness
“Please choose the land you want, and let’s go our separate ways.” or “Please choose where you want to live, and let’s live in separate places.” Make sure it is clear in your translation of verse 9 that Abram is being kind to Lot, not mean or rude.
If {you go to} the left
Quote: אִם הַשְּׂמֹ֣אל (1)“If you choose the land to the left of here,” or “if you decide to live in the land to our left,”
then I will go right
Quote: וְאֵימִ֔נָה (1)“then I will take/choose the land to the right,” or “then I will live in the land to our right,”
or if {you go to} the right
Quote: וְאִם הַיָּמִ֖ין (1)“Or if you choose the land to the right of here,” or “Or if you decide to live in the land to our right,” For some languages, it may be more natural to begin a new sentence here. Do what is best in your language.
then I will go left
Quote: וְאַשְׂמְאִֽילָה (1)“then I will take/choose the land to the left.” or “then I will live in the land to our left.”
Genesis 13:10
Then Lot lifted his eyes
Quote: וַיִּשָּׂא־ל֣וֹט אֶת־עֵינָ֗יו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idioms
“So Lot looked all around” or “Lot looked around carefully”
and saw all the plain of the Jordan as you go {toward} Zoar, that all of it
Quote: וַיַּרְא֙ אֶת־כָּל־כִּכַּ֣ר הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן כִּ֥י כֻלָּ֖הּ & בֹּאֲכָ֖ה צֹֽעַר (1)“and he observed/noticed that the entire/whole Jordan River Valley, all the way to the town of Zoar,” The Jordan Plain is the wide, flat valley where the Jordan River flows between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea.
was} well-watered
Quote: מַשְׁקֶ֑ה (1)“had a lot of water,” or “had plenty of water,”
like Yahweh’s garden
Quote: כְּגַן יְהוָה֙ (1)“It was lush and green like the garden that Yahweh had planted,” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here. Also see how you translated “garden” in Gen 3:23-24. This phrase refers to the Garden of Eden. You could put that information in a footnote.
like the land of Egypt
Quote: כְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם (1)“and/or like the country of Egypt,”
before Yahweh destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah
Quote: לִפְנֵ֣י שַׁחֵ֣ת יְהוָ֗ה אֶת סְדֹם֙ וְאֶת עֲמֹרָ֔ה (1)“That is what it was like before Yahweh destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah which were also in that valley.” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
Genesis 13:11
So Lot chose for himself all the plain of the Jordan
Quote: וַיִּבְחַר ל֣וֹ ל֗וֹט אֵ֚ת כָּל כִּכַּ֣ר הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן (1)“So/Then Lot chose the entire/whole Jordan River Plain/Valley for himself,” or “So/Then Lot decided to live in the plain/valley that surrounded/bordered the Jordan River,” See how you translated “plain of the Jordan” in verse 10.
and Lot traveled
Quote: וַיִּסַּ֥ע ל֖וֹט (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“and he traveled/moved” or “Then Lot/he left Abram and traveled/moved”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here. Also consider whether it is better in your language to use Lot’s name or a pronoun to refer to him here.
to the east
Quote: מִקֶּ֑דֶם (1)The Hebrew text is ambiguous here. It could mean: (1) “to/toward the east to live there” or “eastward” or (2) “from the east”
and they separated from each other
Quote: וַיִּפָּ֣רְד֔וּ אִ֖ישׁ מֵעַ֥ל אָחִֽיו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“So in this way they lived separately from each other.” or “That is how Abram and Lot ended up living in separate/different places.” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here. Also consider what is the best way to refer to Abram and Lot at this point in the paragraph.
Genesis 13:12
Abram settled
Quote: אַבְרָ֖ם יָשַׁ֣ב (1)“Abram settled/stayed where he was” or “Abram continued to live”
in the land of Canaan
Quote: בְּאֶֽרֶץ כְּנָ֑עַן (1)“in that part of the land/region of Canaan,”
and Lot settled
Quote: וְל֗וֹט יָשַׁב֙ (1)“but/while/whereas Lot lived”
in the cities of the plain
Quote: בְּעָרֵ֣י הַכִּכָּ֔ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“in another part of the land/region in/among the cities of/in the Jordan River valley” or “in another part of the land/region in/among the cities in the plain/valley surrounding/bordering the Jordan River”. As Lot traveled, he probably lived in several different cities in the Jordan River Valley until he eventually settled in the city of Sodom (Gen 14:12).
and moved his tents as far as
Quote: וַיֶּאֱהַ֖ל עַד (1)“He eventually pitched his tents in/near” or “and eventually moved his tents to/near”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
Sodom
Quote: סְדֹֽם (1)“the city of Sodom and settled/stayed there.”
Genesis 13:13
Now the men of Sodom
Quote: וְאַנְשֵׁ֣י סְדֹ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“But the people who lived in the city of Sodom”. The conjunction “Now/But” introduces background information that builds suspense for what happens to the people of Sodom later in Genesis (chapters 18-19). Consider what is the best way to begin this verse in your language. Also, this phrase probably has a general meaning here that includes all the people of Sodom, especially the men.
were} exceedingly wicked
Quote: רָעִ֖ים & מְאֹֽד (1)“were extremely/very wicked/evil”
and sinful against Yahweh
Quote: וְחַטָּאִ֑ים לַיהוָ֖ה (1)“were terrible sinners against Yahweh.” or “were always/constantly sinning/rebelling against Yahweh.” Some translations treat the phrase “wicked and sinful” as a hendiadys that means “wicked sinners”, but it is best to keep the two parts of this phrase separate (like the Hebrew text does) to emphasize the people’s evil character and behavior.
Genesis 13:14
Then Yahweh said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him
Quote: וַֽיהוָ֞ה אָמַ֣ר אֶל אַבְרָ֗ם אַחֲרֵי֙ הִפָּֽרֶד ל֣וֹט מֵֽעִמּ֔וֹ (1)“After Lot had left Abram, Yahweh said to Abram,”
Lift up your eyes please
Quote: שָׂ֣א נָ֤א עֵינֶ֨יךָ֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-politeness
“Look around please/now” or “Look all around you”. See how you translated the idiom “lift … eyes” in verse 10. The Hebrew word for “please” is used to show politeness when making a proposal or to soften a command. It can also be translated “now” or omitted, depending on the context. Your translation here should not sound like God is begging.
from the place where you {are
Quote: מִן הַמָּק֖וֹם אֲשֶׁר אַתָּ֣ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“from the place where you live,” or “from where you are standing,” For some languages it is more natural to put this phrase first in this quote and say, “From where you are standing, look all around you. Look …” Do what is best in your language.
and look
Quote: וּרְאֵ֔ה (1)“Look”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
northward and southward and eastward and westward
Quote: צָפֹ֥נָה וָנֶ֖גְבָּה וָקֵ֥דְמָה וָיָֽמָּה (1)“to the north, south, east, and west,” or “in all directions: north, south, east, and west,” or “around you in every direction,” See how you translated “east” and “west” in Gen 12:8.
Genesis 13:15
because all the land that you see
Quote: כִּ֧י אֶת כָּל הָאָ֛רֶץ אֲשֶׁר אַתָּ֥ה רֹאֶ֖ה (1)“All the land that you see” or “All that land, as far as you can see,” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
I will give to you and to your offspring
Quote: לְךָ֣ אֶתְּנֶ֑נָּה וּֽלְזַרְעֲךָ֖ (1)“I will give to you and your descendants”. See how you translated “offspring” in Gen 12:7.
forever
Quote: עַד עוֹלָֽם (1)“to own/possess forever.”
Genesis 13:16
And I will make your offspring
Quote: וְשַׂמְתִּ֥י אֶֽת זַרְעֲךָ֖ (1)“Besides that, I will also cause your offspring/descendants to be” or “In fact, I will also give you so many offspring/descendants that they will be”
like the dust of the earth
Quote: כַּעֲפַ֣ר הָאָ֑רֶץ (1)“as numerous as the specks of dust/dirt on the earth,” See how you translated “dust/dirt” in Gen 3:19.
which if anyone were able to count
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֣ר אִם יוּכַ֣ל אִ֗ישׁ לִמְנוֹת֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-contrary
“Just as it is impossible to count” or “Just as no one is able to count”. The Hebrew text has a contrary-to-fact clause here which implies that it is impossible for anyone to count all the specks of dust. Consider what is the best way to communicate that in your language.
the dust of the earth
Quote: אֶת־עֲפַ֣ר הָאָ֔רֶץ (1)“all the dust/dirt specks/particles,” or “how many specks/particles of dust/dirt there are,” For some languages it is not natural to repeat “of/on the earth” here. Do what is best in your language.
your offspring could also be counted
Quote: גַּֽם זַרְעֲךָ֖ יִמָּנֶֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“so it will be impossible to count all your offspring/descendants because they will be so numerous.” or “no one will be able to count how many descendants you have.” For some languages it may be clearer or more natural to change the order of the last two clauses and say, “No one will be able to count how many offspring/descendants you have, just as no one can count how many specks/particles of dust/dirt there are.” Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 13:17
Get up and walk
Quote: ק֚וּם הִתְהַלֵּ֣ךְ (1)“Now go walk” or “So now, start walking”. The phrase “get up” may imply that Abram was sitting down, but it probably just means that God is telling him to start walking through the land.
through the land
Quote: בָּאָ֔רֶץ (1)“through/throughout the land in all directions,”
through its length and through its width
Quote: לְאָרְכָּ֖הּ וּלְרָחְבָּ֑הּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism
“including its length and its width, and look it over,” or “Walk/Go throughout the entire land and look it over,” The phrase “its length … its width” also includes all the area of land in between. Consider what is the best way to translate this merism in your language. Also consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
because to you I am giving it
Quote: כִּ֥י לְךָ֖ אֶתְּנֶֽנָּה (1)“because you are the one I am giving it to.” or “because I am giving it all to you.” In the Hebrew text, the phrase “to you” is before the verb to emphasize Abram. In your translation, communicate this emphasis in a way that is natural in your language.
Genesis 13:18
So Abram moved his tents
Quote: וַיֶּאֱהַ֣ל אַבְרָ֗ם (1)“Then Abram did what Yahweh commanded and moved his tents” or “Abram obeyed Yahweh and moved/relocated his tents”. Abram obeyed God, but we do not know if he did everything that God commanded in verse 17 before he moved his tents near Hebron (verse 18), or if moving his tents was the first step in obeying what God told him to do. It is best to keep this general in your translation (as the Hebrew text does). Also see how you translated the phrase “moved his tents” in verse 12.
and went and settled
Quote: וַיָּבֹ֛א וַיֵּ֛שֶׁב (1)“and went to settle/live” or “and settled”
by the terebinth trees of Mamre
Quote: בְּאֵלֹנֵ֥י מַמְרֵ֖א (1)“near the terebinth/oak trees on Mamre’s land,” or “near the terebinth/oak trees on the land owned by a man named Mamre,” See how you translated “terebinth” in Gen 12:6.
that {were} near Hebron
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּחֶבְר֑וֹן (1)“near the city of Hebron,”
and there he built an altar
Quote: וַיִּֽבֶן שָׁ֥ם מִזְבֵּ֖חַ (1)“There he built an altar out of stones”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here. See how you translated this phrase in Gen 12:7-8.
to Yahweh
Quote: לַֽיהוָֽה (1)“and burned/offered sacrifices on it to thank and worship Yahweh.” See how you translated this phrase in Gen 12:7 and how you translated a similar phrase in Gen 8:20 and 12:8.
Genesis 14
Genesis 14:1
Now it happened in the days of
Quote: וַיְהִ֗י בִּימֵי֙ (1)“Then it happened that during the days/time when” or “During that time”
Amraphel king of
Quote: אַמְרָפֶ֣ל מֶֽלֶךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-keyterms
“Amraphel was the king/ruler over” or “King Amraphel was ruling”. The term “king” refers to the highest ruler or leader over a kingdom, which at that time was often just a city, a small region or a people group. Translate this with the best word for that in your language. Also see how you translated “Shinar” in Gen 10:10; 11:2.
Shinar
Quote: שִׁנְעָ֔ר (1)“the land/region of Shinar,”
Arioch king of
Quote: אַרְי֖וֹךְ מֶ֣לֶךְ (1)“Arioch was the king/ruler over” or “King Arioch was ruling”. It is not known whether Ellasar was the name of a city or the name of a kingdom that had one or more cities.
Ellasar
Quote: אֶלָּסָ֑ר (1)“the city/kingdom of Ellasar,”
Kedorlaomer king of
Quote: כְּדָרְלָעֹ֨מֶר֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“Kedorlaomer/Chedorlaomer was the king/ruler over” or “King Kedorlaomer/Chedorlaomer was ruling”. In Hebrew this king’s name is pronounced “Kedorlaomer”. However in many translations it is spelled “Chedorlaomer”. Be consistent with your choice throughout this chapter. Also, “Elam” refers to the land where the descendants of Shem’s son Elam lived (Gen 10:22).
Elam
Quote: עֵילָ֔ם (1)“the land/region of the Elamites,”
and Tidal king of
Quote: וְתִדְעָ֖ל מֶ֥לֶךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“and Tidal was the king/ruler over” or “and King Tidal was ruling”. Most translation teams transliterate the name “Goyim” (as they do other names in the Bible). Some translations translate its meaning and say, “the nations/peoples.” Do what is best in your language.
the Goiim
Quote: גּוֹיִֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“the Goyim people,” Most translation teams transliterate the name “Goyim” (as they do other names in the Bible). Some translations translate its meaning and say “the nations/peoples”. Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 14:2
they made war against
Quote: עָשׂ֣וּ מִלְחָמָ֗ה אֶת־ (1)“those/Those four kings became allies/partners and made/waged war” or “those/Those four kings joined forces and went to war”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here, which depends on how you translated verse 1.
Bera king of
Quote: בֶּ֨רַע֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ (1)“Bera who was the king/ruler over” or “King Bera who was ruling”
Sodom
Quote: סְדֹ֔ם (1)“the city of Sodom,”
and against Birsha king of
Quote: וְאֶת בִּרְשַׁ֖ע מֶ֣לֶךְ (1)“Birsha who was the king/ruler over” or “King Birsha who was ruling”
Gomorrah
Quote: עֲמֹרָ֑ה (1)“the city of Gomorrah,”
Shinab king of
Quote: שִׁנְאָ֣ב מֶ֣לֶךְ (1)“Shinab who was the king/ruler over” or “King Shinab who was ruling”
Admah
Quote: אַדְמָ֗ה (1)“the city of Admah,”
and Shemeber king of
Quote: וְשֶׁמְאֵ֨בֶר֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ (1)“Shemeber who was the king/ruler over” or “King Shemeber who was ruling”
Zeboiim
Quote: צְבוֹיִ֔ים (1)“the city of Zeboyim,”
and the king of
Quote: וּמֶ֥לֶךְ (1)“and the king/ruler over” or “and the king/ruler who was ruling”
Bela
Quote: בֶּ֖לַע (1)“the town of Bela,”
which {is} Zoar
Quote: הִיא צֹֽעַר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“which is also/now called Zoar.” or “which was later called Zoar.” or “that is, Zoar.” This town is first mentioned in Gen 13:10, but it was not actually named Zoar until later (Gen 19:22). You may want to put that information in a footnote.
Genesis 14:3
All these
Quote: כָּל אֵ֨לֶּה֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“These/Those five kings all”. Consider whether it is necessary to make it explicit in your translation that “these” refers to the five kings just mentioned in verse 2.
joined together
Quote: חָֽבְר֔וּ (1)“united/combined their forces/armies as allies/partners and fought against the four kings”
in the Valley of Siddim
Quote: אֶל עֵ֖מֶק הַשִּׂדִּ֑ים (1)“in the Siddim Valley,”
which {is now} the Sea of Salt
Quote: ה֖וּא יָ֥ם הַמֶּֽלַח (1)“which later became the Salt Sea.” or “where the Salt Sea is now.” The Hebrew word for “sea/ocean” can also refer to a large lake. The Salt Sea, also known as the Dead Sea, is about 31 miles (50 kilometers) long and 9 miles (15 kilometers) wide. Use a term in your language for a body of water that size.
Genesis 14:4
For} twelve years
Quote: שְׁתֵּ֤ים עֶשְׂרֵה֙ שָׁנָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background
“This is what happened: For/During twelve years” or “This is why they were fighting: For/During twelve years”. This paragraph (verses 4-9) is a flashback that tells the events that led up to the war (verses 1-3). Consider what is the best way in your language to introduce this background information.
they had served
Quote: עָבְד֖וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“the five kings had paid tribute/taxes/money to” or “the five kings had been subject to” or “they had been ruled by””. Consider what is the best way in your language to refer to the five kings (listed in verse 2) at this point in the paragraph.
Kedorlaomer
Quote: אֶת כְּדָרְלָעֹ֑מֶר (1)“King Kedorlaomer/Chedorlaomer,” Be consistent here with how you spelled this name in verse 1.
but the thirteenth year
Quote: וּשְׁלֹשׁ עֶשְׂרֵ֥ה שָׁנָ֖ה (1)“but sometime in/during the thirteenth year”
they rebelled
Quote: מָרָֽדוּ (1)“they started to rebel/revolt against him.”
Genesis 14:5
Then in the fourteenth year
Quote: וּבְאַרְבַּע֩ עֶשְׂרֵ֨ה שָׁנָ֜ה (1)“Then sometime in/during the fourteenth year,”
Kedorlaomer
Quote: כְדָרְלָעֹ֗מֶר (1)“King Kedorlaomer/Chedorlaomer”
and the kings
Quote: וְהַמְּלָכִים֙ (1)“and the three kings”
who {were} with him
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֣ר אִתּ֔וֹ (1)“who were allied with him” or “who were his allies/partners”
went
Quote: בָּ֣א (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“united/combined their armies and went to war/fight against all their enemies”. Verses 5-7 list enemies of King Kedorlaomer that are in addition to the five kings mentioned in verses 2-4. Consider whether or not to make it explicit in your translation here that they were fighting all their enemies.
and struck
Quote: וַיַּכּ֤וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“First, they conquered/defeated”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
the Rephaim
Quote: אֶת רְפָאִים֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“the Rephaites” or “the Rephaite/Repha people”. See how you translated the names of people groups in Gen 10:4, 13-18, and see the note about that at 10:4.
in Ashteroth-Karnaim
Quote: בְּעַשְׁתְּרֹ֣ת קַרְנַ֔יִם (1)“in the city of Ashteroth-Karnaim,”
and the Zuzim
Quote: וְאֶת הַזּוּזִ֖ים (1)“and/then the Zuzites” or “and the Zuzite/Zuz people”
in Ham
Quote: בְּהָ֑ם (1)“in the city of Ham,”
the Emim
Quote: הָֽאֵימִ֔ים (1)“the Emites” or “the Emite/Em people”
in Shaveh-Kiriathaim
Quote: בְּשָׁוֵ֖ה קִרְיָתָֽיִם (1)“in the city of Shaveh-Kiriathaim,”
Genesis 14:6
and the Horites
Quote: וְאֶת הַחֹרִ֖י (1)“and the Horite/Hor people”
in their hill country of Seir
Quote: בְּהַרְרָ֣ם שֵׂעִ֑יר (1)“who lived in the hill country of the land/region of Seir” or “who lived in the Seir Hills/Mountains”
as far as El Paran
Quote: עַ֚ד אֵ֣יל פָּארָ֔ן (1)“all the way to the city of El Paran,”
which {is} by
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל (1)“which is located near/beside” or “which is on/at the edge/border of”
the wilderness
Quote: הַמִּדְבָּֽר (1)“the/a desert.” A wilderness is a dry, rocky area where few plants grow and few people live. See how you translated “wilderness/desert” in Gen 12:9 and 13:1, 3 (if you made that explicit in those verses).
Genesis 14:7
Then they turned back
Quote: וַ֠יָּשֻׁבוּ (1)“Next the/those four kings and their armies”
Then they turned back
Quote: וַ֠יָּשֻׁבוּ (1)“turned around” or “started to return home”
and came
Quote: וַיָּבֹ֜אוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go
“and went”
to En Mishpat
Quote: אֶל עֵ֤ין מִשְׁפָּט֙ (1)“to the city of En Mishpat,”
which {is} Kadesh
Quote: הִ֣וא קָדֵ֔שׁ (1)“which is also/now called Kadesh,” or “which was later called Kadesh,” or “that is, Kadesh,” See how you translated a similar phrase in verse 2.
and they struck
Quote: וַיַּכּ֕וּ (1)“They conquered/defeated”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
the entire territory of the Amalekites
Quote: אֶֽת כָּל שְׂדֵ֖ה הָעֲמָלֵקִ֑י (1)“the entire/whole territory/area/land where the Amalekites lived” or “… where the Amalekite/Amalek people group lived”
and also the Amorites
Quote: וְגַם֙ אֶת הָ֣אֱמֹרִ֔י (1)“as well as the Amorite/Amor people group,” Be consistent here with how you translated “Amorites” in Gen 10:16.
who were living in Hazezon Tamar
Quote: הַיֹּשֵׁ֖ב בְּחַֽצְצֹ֥ן תָּמָֽר (1)“who lived in the city of Hazezon Tamar.”
Genesis 14:8
Then … went out
Quote: וַיֵּצֵ֨א (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases
“That’s when”. Verse 8 is talking about the same battle that is mentioned in verse 2, except it leaves out the names of the kings. Make sure in your translation that it does not sound like a different battle.
the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, and the king of Admah, and the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela
Quote: מֶֽלֶךְ סְדֹ֜ם וּמֶ֣לֶךְ עֲמֹרָ֗ה וּמֶ֤לֶךְ אַדְמָה֙ וּמֶ֣לֶךְ צְבוֹיִ֔ם וּמֶ֥לֶךְ בֶּ֖לַע (1)“the king over the city of Sodom, the king over the city of Gomorrah, the king over the city of Admah, the king over the city of Zeboyim, and the king over the town of Bela,” or “the kings over the cities of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Bela,” Be consistent in verse 8 with how you spelled the names of these cities in verse 2 and in Gen 10:19.
which {is} Zoar
Quote: הִוא צֹ֑עַר (1)“which is also/now called Zoar,” or “that is, Zoar,” See how you translated this phrase in verse 2.
Then … went out
Quote: וַיֵּצֵ֨א (1)“went/marched out with their armies”
into the Valley of Siddim
Quote: בְּעֵ֖מֶק הַשִּׂדִּֽים (1)“into the Siddim Valley”. See how you translated this phrase in verse 3.
and arranged themselves for battle
Quote: וַיַּֽעַרְכ֤וּ אִתָּם֙ מִלְחָמָ֔ה (1)The Hebrew text is ambiguous here. It could mean: (1) “and assembled/prepared/positioned themselves for battle” or “and got ready to fight” or (2) “and joined/united together in battle”
Genesis 14:9
against Kedorlaomer king of
Quote: אֵ֣ת כְּדָרְלָעֹ֜מֶר מֶ֣לֶךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“against Kedorlaomer/Chedorlaomer who was the king/ruler over” or “against King Kedorlaomer/Chedorlaomer who was ruling”. The same kings (and the places they ruled) that are listed here in verse 9 are listed in verse 1, but in a different order. Be consistent here with how you spelled the names there.
Elam
Quote: עֵילָ֗ם (1)“the land/region of Elam,”
and Tidal king of
Quote: וְתִדְעָל֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ (1)“Tidal who was the king/ruler over” or “King Tidal who was ruling”
Goiim
Quote: גּוֹיִ֔ם (1)“the Goyim people,” Be consistent here with how you translated this people group name in verse 1.
and Amraphel king of
Quote: וְאַמְרָפֶל֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ (1)“Amraphel who was the king/ruler over” or “King Amraphel who was ruling”
Shinar
Quote: שִׁנְעָ֔ר (1)“the land/region of Shinar,”
and Arioch king of
Quote: וְאַרְי֖וֹךְ מֶ֣לֶךְ (1)“and Arioch who was the king/ruler over” or “and King Arioch who was ruling”
Ellasar
Quote: אֶלָּסָ֑ר (1)“the city/kingdom of Ellasar,”
four kings against
Quote: אַרְבָּעָ֥ה מְלָכִ֖ים אֶת (1)“It was four kings who started fighting against” or “Then the/those four kings attacked”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
the five
Quote: הַחֲמִשָּֽׁה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“the five kings and started defeating them.” It is implied in verse 10 that the four kings had started defeating the five kings. If that is not clear, you could make that explicit here.
Genesis 14:10
Now the Valley of Siddim {had} many tar pits
Quote: וְעֵ֣מֶק הַשִׂדִּ֗ים בֶּֽאֱרֹ֤ת בֶּאֱרֹת֙ חֵמָ֔ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-background
“The Siddim Valley was full of tar pits,” or “There were many tar pits in the Siddim Valley,” The word “Now” indicates a change of topic and introduces background information. For some languages it is more natural to omit that word and just use a paragraph break. Do what is best in your language. Also be consistent here with how you translated “the Valley of Siddim” in verses 3 and 8, and how you translated “tar” in Gen 11:3.
and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled
Quote: וַיָּנֻ֛סוּ מֶֽלֶךְ סְדֹ֥ם וַעֲמֹרָ֖ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“As/When the kings of/over the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and their armies/soldiers were running away from the battle,” It is assumed here that the kings were accompanied by their armies. If that is not understood, you could make that explicit in your translation. Also, consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
and they fell there
Quote: וַיִּפְּלוּ שָׁ֑מָּה (1)The Hebrew text is ambiguous here. It could mean: (1) “they died there in the tar pits.” or “some of their soldiers/men were killed there in the tar pits.” or “they fell into the tar pits and died.” or (2) “jumped into the tar pits to hide.” Notice that the king of Sodom is still alive in verse 17, so the pronoun “they” probably does not include him here, depending on how you translate “fell there”.
And those who remained
Quote: וְהַנִּשְׁאָרִ֖ים (1)The Hebrew text is ambiguous here. It could mean: (1) “while/but those who were left” or “Those who escaped” or (2) “But the other three kings and their armies/soldiers”. Consider whether it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here or to continue the previous sentence.
fled
Quote: נָּֽסוּ (1)“ran away”. See how you translated “fled” earlier in this verse.
to the hill country
Quote: הֶ֥רָה (1)“to the mountains/hills to hide.” See how you translated “hill country” in verse 6.
Genesis 14:11
Then they took
Quote: וַ֠יִּקְחוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“Then the four kings took by force” or “Then the four kings seized”. Consider what is the best way in your language to refer to the four kings at this point in the paragraph.
all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah
Quote: אֶת כָּל רְכֻ֨שׁ סְדֹ֧ם וַעֲמֹרָ֛ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“all the possessions of/from the people of/in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah” or “all the people’s belongings in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah”. The phrase “Sodom and Gomorrah” refers here to the people who lived in those cities. Consider what is the best way to refer to those people here in your language.
and all their food
Quote: וְאֶת כָּל אָכְלָ֖ם (1)“including/even all their food,” or “as well as all their food,”
and left
Quote: וַיֵּלֵֽכוּ (1)“and left with it all.” or “and carried it all away with them.” or “and went on their way.”
Genesis 14:12
And they took
Quote: וַיִּקְח֨וּ (1)“They also took with them” or “They also carried off/away” or “The four kings also captured”
Lot and his possessions, the son of Abram’s brother, when they left
Quote: אֶת ל֧וֹט וְאֶת רְכֻשׁ֛וֹ בֶּן אֲחִ֥י אַבְרָ֖ם וַיֵּלֵ֑כוּ (1)“Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions/belongings,”
since he was living in Sodom
Quote: וְה֥וּא יֹשֵׁ֖ב בִּסְדֹֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“since he was living in the city of Sodom.” For some languages it may be more clearer or more natural to put this phrase first in this sentence and say, “Since Abram’s nephew Lot was also living in the city of Sodom, the four kings took/captured him too, along with his possessions.”
Genesis 14:13
Then someone who escaped came
Quote: וַיָּבֹא֙ הַפָּלִ֔יט (1)“Then/But someone from Sodom escaped from the battle and came/went”
and reported to Abram the Hebrew
Quote: וַיַּגֵּ֖ד לְאַבְרָ֣ם הָעִבְרִ֑י (1)“to Abram the Hebrew and reported to him what had happened.” The Hebrew people are the descendants of Abram (Abraham), and they were named after his ancestor Eber, who was Shem’s great grandson (Genesis 11:10-26). Some of this information could be put in a footnote.
And he
Quote: וְהוּא֩ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-background
“Now at that time he/Abram” or “At that time he/Abram”. This phrase introduces background information about Abram as part of the setting for what happens next. Consider what is the best way to communicate that in your language.
was living by the terebinth trees of Mamre
Quote: שֹׁכֵ֨ן בְּאֵֽלֹנֵ֜י מַמְרֵ֣א (1)“was still living by/near the terebinth/oak trees that were owned by Mamre” or “was still living by/near the terebinth/oak trees on the land owned by Mamre”. See how you translated this clause in Gen 13:18.
the Amorite
Quote: הָאֱמֹרִ֗י (1)“who was a member of the Amorite people/ethnic group”. See how you translated “Amorites” in verse 7.
the brother of Eshcol and the brother of Aner
Quote: אֲחִ֤י אֶשְׁכֹּל֙ וַאֲחִ֣י עָנֵ֔ר (1)“who was the brother of Eshcol and Aner” or “whose brothers were Eshcol and Aner”
and they {were
Quote: וְהֵ֖ם (1)“Those three men”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
owners of a covenant with Abram
Quote: בַּעֲלֵ֥י בְרִית אַבְרָֽם (1)“had made a covenant/pact/agreement with Abram to be his allies.” or “and Abram had made a covenant/pact/agreement together that they would help each other against their enemies.”
Genesis 14:14
And when Abram heard
Quote: וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע אַבְרָ֔ם (1)“When Abram found out”
that his relative had been taken captive
Quote: כִּ֥י נִשְׁבָּ֖ה אָחִ֑יו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
“that his relative/nephew Lot had been captured,” or “that the four kings had captured his nephew Lot,” Consider what is the best way to translate this passive clause in your language.
then he led out
Quote: וַיָּ֨רֶק (1)“he called/gathered together for battle” or “he summoned/assembled/mobilized for battle.”
his 318 trained men who had been born in his house
Quote: אֶת חֲנִיכָ֜יו יְלִידֵ֣י בֵית֗וֹ שְׁמֹנָ֤ה עָשָׂר֙ וּשְׁלֹ֣שׁ מֵא֔וֹת (1)“318 of his/the servants who had been born in his household and were trained/skilled warriors” or “318 of his servants born in his household whom he had trained to fight/battle”. It is clear from verse 15 that these men were Abram’s servants.
and he pursued {his enemies
Quote: וַיִּרְדֹּ֖ף (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“Then he/Abram and his men/servants and his allies went/chased after the invaders” or “Then together with his allies they all pursued the four kings and their armies”. In this sentence the pronoun “he” refers to Abram and all those who had united with him as his allies.
as far as
Quote: עַד (1)“all the way to” or “until they caught up with them at”
Dan
Quote: דָּֽן (1)“the town of Dan.”
Genesis 14:15
Then he divided against them during the night, he and his servants
Quote: וַיֵּחָלֵ֨ק עֲלֵיהֶ֧ם לַ֛יְלָה ה֥וּא וַעֲבָדָ֖יו (1)“Then/There during the night he/Abram and his servants/men divided into groups, surprise attacked the four kings and their soldiers,”
and struck them
Quote: וַיַּכֵּ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“and overpowered/defeated/routed them”
and pursued them
Quote: וַֽיִּרְדְּפֵם֙ (1)“Then they went/chased after them”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
to Hobah
Quote: עַד חוֹבָ֔ה (1)“all the way to the town of Hobah,” or “as far as the town of Hobah,”
which {is} north of Damascus
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֥ר מִשְּׂמֹ֖אל לְדַמָּֽשֶׂק (1)“which is located north of the city of Damascus.”
Genesis 14:16
And he brought back
Quote: וַיָּ֕שֶׁב (1)“As a result, he/Abram got back” or “He/Abram recovered”
all the possessions
Quote: אֵ֖ת כָּל הָרְכֻ֑שׁ (1)“all the people’s belongings/things that the four kings had taken/seized”
and he also brought back
Quote: וְגַם֩ & הֵשִׁ֔יב (1)“He also got back” or “He also recovered/rescued”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
his relative Lot
Quote: אֶת ל֨וֹט אָחִ֤יו (1)“his nephew Lot”
and his possessions
Quote: וּרְכֻשׁוֹ֙ (1)“and all his/Lot's belongings,”
and also the women
Quote: וְגַ֥ם אֶת הַנָּשִׁ֖ים (1)“as well as the women”
and the {other} people
Quote: וְאֶת הָעָֽם (1)“and all the other people whom the kings had captured.”
Genesis 14:17
Then the king of Sodom came out
Quote: וַיֵּצֵ֣א מֶֽלֶךְ סְדֹם֮ (1)“Then the king over the city of Sodom”
Then the king of Sodom came out
Quote: וַיֵּצֵ֣א מֶֽלֶךְ־סְדֹם֮ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go
“Then the king over the city of Sodom went out”. Consider whether “came” or “went” is more natural here in your language.
to meet him
Quote: לִקְרָאתוֹ֒ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“to greet/welcome him/Abram” or “and greeted/welcomed him/Abram”
in the Valley of Shaveh
Quote: אֶל עֵ֣מֶק שָׁוֵ֔ה (1)“in the Shaveh Valley,”
which {is} the King’s Valley
Quote: ה֖וּא עֵ֥מֶק הַמֶּֽלֶךְ (1)“which is also called/named the King’s Valley,” or “that is, the King’s Valley,”
after he returned
Quote: אַחֲרֵ֣י שׁוּב֗וֹ (1)“as he/Abram was returning home” or “as he/Abram was going/headed back home”. When Abram reached the Shaveh Valley, he was still about 20 miles (30 kilometers) north of his home, which was near the city of Hebron (Gen 13:18).
from striking
Quote: מֵֽהַכּוֹת֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“after defeating” or “after he defeated”. See how you translated “struck” in verse 15.
Kedorlaomer
Quote: אֶת כְּדָרלָעֹ֔מֶר (1)“King Kedorlaomer/Chedorlaomer and his army”. Be consistent here with how you spelled this name previously in this chapter; see verses 1, 4-5, 9, 17.
and the kings
Quote: וְאֶת הַמְּלָכִ֖ים (1)“and the armies of the other three kings”
who {were} with him
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֣ר אִתּ֑וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“who were Kedorlaomer’s/Chedorlaomer’s allies/partners.” or “who had joined/allied themselves with Kedorlaomer/Chedorlaomer.” For some languages it may be better to put the clauses of this verse in the order that the events actually happened. For example you could say, “After Abram defeated King Kedorlaomer/Chedorlaomer and the other three kings who were Kedorlaomer’s/Chedorlaomer’s allies, he started to return home. When Abram reached the Shaveh Valley, that is, the King’s Valley, the king over the city of Sodom came/went there and greeted/welcomed him.” Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 14:18
Then Melchizedek the king of Salem
Quote: וּמַלְכִּי צֶ֨דֶק֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ שָׁלֵ֔ם (1)“Then Melchizedek who was the king over the city of Salem also came/went there, and he”. Salem is the short name for the city of Jerusalem (See: Psalm 76:2). The Shaveh Valley, where Melchizedek met Abram, was located just east of Jerusalem. You could put some of that information in a footnote.
brought out bread and wine
Quote: הוֹצִ֖יא לֶ֣חֶם וָיָ֑יִן (1)“brought (some) bread and wine for them to eat and drink.” or “brought some bread and wine for Abram and his men to eat and drink.” It is not known whether Melchizedek brought out a large amount of bread and wine to feed Abram and his men, or if he brought out just enough for him and Abram to share, possibly as part of establishing a covenant between them. The first alternate above would work for either meaning. See how you translated “wine” in Gen 9:21, 24.
And he {was
Quote: וְה֥וּא (1)“He was also” or “King Melchizedek was also”
a priest
Quote: כֹהֵ֖ן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-key-terms
“a priest for” or “a priest who served”. A priest is someone who represents people to God, and who represents God to the people. He leads the people in praying, worship, making sacrifices, ceremonies, and festivals.
to God Most High
Quote: לְאֵ֥ל עֶלְיֽוֹן (1)“the most high/powerful God.” or “the highest/greatest God.” or “God who is higher/greater than all other gods.”
Genesis 14:19
And he blessed him
Quote: וַֽיְבָרְכֵ֖הוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-key-terms
“He blessed Abram” or “So he/Melchizedek blessed Abram”. Make sure your translation of “blessed … and said” refers to the same event, not two separate events. Also see how you translated “bless” in Gen 12:2-3.
and said
Quote: וַיֹּאמַ֑ר (1)“by saying to him,”
May Abram be blessed
Quote: בָּר֤וּךְ אַבְרָם֙ (1)“I pray that you Abram will be blessed”
by God Most High
Quote: לְאֵ֣ל עֶלְי֔וֹן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“by the most high/powerful God,” or “by the highest/greatest God,” See how you translated this title in verse 18. For some languages it may be better to switch the order of phrases in this sentence and say, “May the greatest God, who owns heaven and earth, bless Abram/you.” or “I pray that the most high/powerful God, who created heaven and earth, will bless you Abram.” Do what is best in your language.
the Possessor of heaven and earth
Quote: קֹנֵ֖ה שָׁמַ֥יִם וָאָֽרֶץ (1)“who is the Owner/Creator of heaven and earth.” or “who owns/created heaven and earth.” The Hebrew word for “Possessor” also means “Creator,” which is used in many translations. Whichever one you do not use in the text you could put in a footnote.
Genesis 14:20
And praised be
Quote: וּבָרוּךְ֙ (1)“Praise” or “Give praise to” or “Let everyone praise”. See how you translated “Praised be” in Gen 9:26.
God Most High
Quote: אֵ֣ל עֶלְי֔וֹן (1)“the most high/powerful God,” or “the highest/greatest God,” See how you translated this phrase in verses 18-19.
who delivered your enemies into your hand
Quote: אֲשֶׁר מִגֵּ֥ן צָרֶ֖יךָ בְּיָדֶ֑ךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“because he gave you victory over your enemies!” or “because he enabled you to defeat your enemies!” The phrase “delivered … into your hand” is an idiom. Consider whether your language has a similar idiom that fits well here.
Then he gave to him
Quote: וַיִּתֶּן ל֥וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“Then Abram gave King Melchizedek”. Make sure it is clear in your translation who is being referred to here.
a tenth
Quote: מַעֲשֵׂ֖ר (1)“one-tenth” or “ten percent”
of everything
Quote: מִכֹּֽל (1)“of everything that he had recovered/captured in the battle.” or “of all the plunder he had brought back from the battle.” This phrase refers to the belongings of the people of Sodom that Abram had recovered from the kings who stole them.
Genesis 14:21
Then the king of Sodom said to Abram
Quote: וַיֹּ֥אמֶר מֶֽלֶךְ סְדֹ֖ם אֶל־אַבְרָ֑ם (1)“Then the king of Sodom requested of Abram,” or “After that, the king over the city of Sodom urged/asked Abram,”
Give to me
Quote: תֶּן לִ֣י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-politeness
“Please give/return to me”. Make sure in your translation that the king of Sodom’s request to Abram sounds polite, not rude or demanding.
the people
Quote: הַנֶּ֔פֶשׁ (1)“the/my people whom you rescued/saved,” or “the people from Sodom whom you rescued,”
but the possessions take for yourself
Quote: וְהָרְכֻ֖שׁ קַֽח לָֽךְ (1)“but the possessions/plunder you may take/keep for yourself.” or “but take/keep for yourself the/their belongings that you recovered.” See how you translated “possessions” in verses 11-12,16.
Genesis 14:22
But Abram said to the king of Sodom
Quote: וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אַבְרָ֖ם אֶל מֶ֣לֶךְ סְדֹ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“But Abram/he replied to him,” Consider what is the best way in your language to refer to Abram and to the king of Sodom at this point in their conversation.
I have raised my hand to Yahweh
Quote: הֲרִימֹ֨תִי יָדִ֤י אֶל יְהוָה֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
“I will not keep anything, because I have raised my hand and sworn/vowed/promised to Yahweh,” It was the custom that when a person made an oath, he raised his hand to show that he was telling the truth and making a serious, unbreakable promise. Abram’s oath to Yahweh made Yahweh his witness who would hold him accountable and punish him if he were to break his oath.
God Most High
Quote: אֵ֣ל עֶלְי֔וֹן (1)“who is the highest/greatest God,” See how you translated this phrase in verses 18-20.
the Possessor of heaven and earth
Quote: קֹנֵ֖ה שָׁמַ֥יִם וָאָֽרֶץ (1)“and the Owner/Creator of heaven and earth,” or “and the One who owns/created heaven and earth,” See how you translated this phrase in verse 19.
Genesis 14:23
that} I will not {take
Quote: אִם (1)“that I will not keep/accept”
from a thread even to the strap of a sandal
Quote: מִחוּט֙ וְעַ֣ד שְׂרֽוֹךְ נַ֔עַל (1)“even a thread/string or the strap from a sandal,” or “even something as small/insignificant as a piece of string or a sandal strap,”
and I will not take from anything
Quote: וְאִם אֶקַּ֖ח מִכָּל (1)“No/Yes, I will not keep/accept anything”. This clause emphasizes Abram’s point. Consider what is the best way to do that in your language. Also, consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
that {belongs} to you
Quote: אֲשֶׁר לָ֑ךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“that belongs to you or your people,” or “that is yours or your people’s,” For some languages, it may be clearer and more natural to put this phrase earlier in this verse and say, “that I will not keep/accept anything that belongs to you or your people, not even something as small as a piece of thread/string or the strap from a sandal.” Do what is best in your language.
so that you will not say
Quote: וְלֹ֣א תֹאמַ֔ר (1)“That way you can never say,” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
I made Abram rich
Quote: אֲנִ֖י הֶעֱשַׁ֥רְתִּי אֶת אַבְרָֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes
“I am the one who made Abram rich/wealthy!” or “that you were the one who made me rich.” The Hebrew pronoun that refers here to the king of Sodom is emphatic. Consider what is the best way to communicate that emphasis in your language. Also consider whether it is better in your language to translate this embedded quote as a direct or indirect quote.
Genesis 14:24
I {will take} nothing, except
Quote: בִּלְעָדַ֗י רַ֚ק (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-exceptions
“So I will not keep/accept anything, except” or “So I will only keep/accept”. Consider what is the best way in your language to translate this exception sentence.
what the young men have eaten
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָֽכְל֣וּ הַנְּעָרִ֔ים (1)“what my servants who fought with me have eaten” or “what my men/warriors ate”. These young men were Abram’s trained servants or warriors who are mentioned in verses 14-15.
and the share of the other men who went with me: Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre
Quote: וְחֵ֨לֶק֙ הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר הָלְכ֖וּ אִתִּ֑י עָנֵר֙ אֶשְׁכֹּ֣ל וּמַמְרֵ֔א (1)“and the share/part of the plunder that Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre deserve for being my allies/partners.” or “and what Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre deserve for helping me in the battle.”
Let them take
Quote: הֵ֖ם יִקְח֥וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-politeness
“Please let them take/have” or “Please give them”. Abram is being polite, but make sure in your translation that he does not sound like he is begging, especially since he is a mighty warrior.
their share
Quote: חֶלְקָֽם (1)“their share/part of the plunder.” or “their share/part of what we recovered.”
Genesis 15
Genesis 15:1
After those things
Quote: אַחַ֣ר הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה (1)“After those things/events happened,” or “After that,”
the word of Yahweh came to Abram in a vision, saying
Quote: הָיָ֤ה דְבַר יְהוָה֙ אֶל אַבְרָ֔ם בַּֽמַּחֲזֶ֖ה לֵאמֹ֑ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-key-terms
“Yahweh said to Abram in a vision,” or “Yahweh appeared/came to Abram visually and said to him,” A vision is a supernatural experience that a person has while he is awake, so the way you translate this term should be different from the way you translate “dream” (since people have dreams while asleep). Make sure your translation of this clause does not sound like what Abram saw was unreal; what he saw and heard actually happened.
Do not be afraid, Abram
Quote: אַל תִּירָ֣א אַבְרָ֗ם (1)“Abram, do not be afraid!”
I {am} a shield for you
Quote: אָנֹכִי֙ מָגֵ֣ן לָ֔ךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
“I am your shield/protector,” or “I protect you like a shield,” or “I will shield/protect you,” God is like a shield to Abram since he protects him. Consider what is the best way to translate this metaphor in your language.
your reward will be very great
Quote: שְׂכָרְךָ֖ הַרְבֵּ֥ה מְאֹֽד (1)The Hebrew text is ambiguous here. It could mean: (1) “and your reward from me will be very great.” or “and I will give you a very great/valuable reward/gift.” (2) “and I am your very great/valuable reward.” The context (verse 2) shows that the first interpretation is what Abram understood God to be saying.
Genesis 15:2
But Abram said
Quote: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אַבְרָ֗ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“Then Abram said/lamented to him,” or “But/Then Abram asked him,” The way you translate this quote margin may depend on how you translate the following rhetorical question.
My Lord Yahweh
Quote: אֲדֹנָ֤י יֱהוִה֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-key-terms
“My Master Yahweh,” or “Yahweh my Lord/Master,” The phrase “My Lord” means that Yahweh owns Abram and has complete authority over him, just as a master (at that time) had complete authority over his servant.
what will you give to me
Quote: מַה תִּתֶּן לִ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
“what reward will/can you give to me that would benefit me,” or “I don’t understand how a reward from you would benefit/help me,” or “even if you reward me greatly, that will not benefit/help me,” Abram uses this rhetorical question to show that he is lamenting that he has no children. Make sure in your translation that he does not sound rude.
since I go childless
Quote: וְאָנֹכִ֖י הוֹלֵ֣ךְ עֲרִירִ֑י (1)“since I remain childless” or “I still have no children”
and the son of the inheritance of
Quote: וּבֶן מֶ֣שֶׁק (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“so that when/after I die, the inheritor/heir of” or “So when I die, the one who will inherit/own”. The phrase “son of the inheritance” is used here as an idiom that means “inheritor” or “heir”; it does not refer to an actual son. Consider whether or not your language has a similar idiom. Also consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
my house
Quote: בֵּיתִ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
“my estate/property” or “all/everything that I have/own”. This phrase refers here to all Abram’s belongings.
is} the Damascan, Eliezer
Quote: דַּמֶּ֥שֶׂק אֱלִיעֶֽזֶר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
“is my foreign servant Eliezer from Damascus” or “is my servant Eliezer who is a foreigner from the city of Damascus”. In the Hebrew text, Abram emphasizes the fact that Eliezer was from Damascus, which means he was a foreigner from a foreign city, not a blood relative. Consider what is the best way to communicate that in your language. Also, be consistent here with how you translated “the city of Damascus” in Gen 14:15.
Genesis 15:3
Then Abram said
Quote: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אַבְרָ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“Then he continued/added,” Some languages omit these words, because the same speaker is still speaking to the same audience. Do what is best in your language.
Behold
Quote: הֵ֣ן (1)“Look/Indeed,” Some translations omit this phrase to prevent Abram from sounding rude. Do what is best in your language.
you have not given a child to me
Quote: לִ֔י לֹ֥א נָתַ֖תָּה זָ֑רַע (1)“you have not given me any children,” In the Hebrew text “to me” is before “you have not given” to emphasize Abram. Do what is natural in your language.
so that behold
Quote: וְהִנֵּ֥ה (1)“so that now when/after I die,”
a servant of my house
Quote: בֶן בֵּיתִ֖י (1)“a servant from my household” or “one of my household servants”
is my heir
Quote: יוֹרֵ֥שׁ אֹתִֽי (1)“will be my heir!” or “will inherit/get everything I own!”
Genesis 15:4
Then behold
Quote: וְהִנֵּ֨ה (1)“But immediately” or “Immediately”
the word of Yahweh {came} to him, saying
Quote: דְבַר יְהוָ֤ה אֵלָיו֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“Yahweh said/replied to him/Abram,” See how you translated this idiom in verse 1. It may be necessary to translate it differently here because of the different context.
That {man
Quote: זֶ֑ה (1)“No, that man/servant” or “No, your servant Eliezer”
will not be your heir, but rather
Quote: לֹ֥א יִֽירָשְׁךָ֖ & כִּי אִם֙ (1)“will not inherit/get your estate/property, rather”
a son who comes from your bowels, he
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֵצֵ֣א מִמֵּעֶ֔יךָ ה֖וּא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-Idiom
“a son whom you father” or “it will be your very own biological son who”. The phrase “comes from your bowels” is an idiom that refers to fathering a child. Make sure your translation of this clause does not imply that Abram would give birth to a son.
will be your heir
Quote: יִֽירָשֶֽׁךָ (1)“will inherit/own your estate/property.” or “will inherit/own it.”
Genesis 15:5
Then he brought him
Quote: וַיּוֹצֵ֨א אֹת֜וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“Then Yahweh took/led him/Abram”. Consider what is the best way in your language to refer to Yahweh and Abram at this point in the paragraph.
outside
Quote: הַח֗וּצָה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“outside his tent”. Abram was probably inside a tent, not inside a house. But if possible, it is best to leave this implied in a translation (as the Hebrew text does).
and said
Quote: וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“and said to him,”
Please look
Quote: הַבֶּט נָ֣א (1)“Please/Now look up” or “Look up”. See how you translated “please” in Gen 13:14. Make sure your translation does not sound like God is begging.
at the heavens
Quote: הַשָּׁמַ֗יְמָה (1)“into the heavens” or “at/into the night sky”
and count the stars, if you are able to count them
Quote: וּסְפֹר֙ הַכּ֣וֹכָבִ֔ים אִם תּוּכַ֖ל לִסְפֹּ֣ר אֹתָ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-condition-contrary
“and try to count how many stars there are, if in fact, anyone could possibly count all of them.” or “There are so many stars that no one could ever/possibly count them all.” God’s point here is that there are so many stars that no one could ever count that high. He is not questioning Abram’s ability to count. Consider what is the best way to translate this contrary-to-fact statement in your language.
Then he said to him
Quote: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֔וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“While Abram was looking at the stars, Yahweh said to him/Abram,” or “So Abram looked up at the stars, and Yahweh continued speaking to him,” Throughout this chapter make sure it is clear in your translation who is speaking to whom. Always use pronouns and nouns in a way that is clear and natural in your language.
So will your offspring be
Quote: כֹּ֥ה יִהְיֶ֖ה זַרְעֶֽךָ (1)“That is how numerous/many your offspring/descendants will be.” or “That is how many offspring/descendants you will have.”
Genesis 15:6
And he trusted
Quote: וְהֶאֱמִ֖ן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“He/Abram trusted/believed Yahweh,” or “He/Abram believed what Yahweh said,” Many translations omit the conjunction “And” here. Do what is best in your language. Also, make sure it is clear in your translation that Abram is the subject here, not Yahweh (who was the last subject in verse 5).
and he counted it to him {as} righteousness
Quote: וַיַּחְשְׁבֶ֥הָ לּ֖וֹ צְדָקָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“and so Yahweh counted/credited it/that to him as righteousness.” or “and because of that, Yahweh considered/reckoned him/Abram to be righteous.” or “so Yahweh considered him/Abram to have a right relationship with him.” Notice that Yahweh is now the subject again. Make sure it is clear in your translation who is speaking to whom here and throughout this section.
Genesis 15:7
Then he said to him
Quote: וַיֹּ֖אמֶר אֵלָ֑יו (1)“Then Yahweh said to him/Abram,”
I {am} Yahweh who brought you out of Ur of
Quote: אֲנִ֣י יְהוָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֤ר הוֹצֵאתִ֨יךָ֙ מֵא֣וּר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go
“I am Yahweh who brought/led you here from the city of Ur”
the Kasdim
Quote: כַּשְׂדִּ֔ים (1)“which is ruled/inhabited by the Kasdim/Chaldeans” or “that the Kasdim/Chaldeans rule” or “where the Kasdim/Chaldeans live”. See how you translated “Ur of the Kasdim/Chaldeans” in Gen 11:28, 31, and see the note about that there.
to give to you this land
Quote: לָ֧תֶת לְךָ֛ אֶת הָאָ֥רֶץ הַזֹּ֖את (1)“to give this land to you”
to possess it
Quote: לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ (1)“to own.” or “as your homeland.” or “to be your own/home.”
Genesis 15:8
Then he said
Quote: וַיֹּאמַ֑ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“Then/But Abram said/replied to him,” or “Then/But he/Abram asked him,” Make sure it is clear in your translation that Abram is the one speaking here, not Yahweh.
My Lord Yahweh
Quote: אֲדֹנָ֣י יֱהוִ֔ה (1)“My Lord/Master Yahweh,” or “Yahweh my Lord/Master,” See how you translated this phrase in verse 2.
how will I know
Quote: בַּמָּ֥ה אֵדַ֖ע (1)“how will/can I know for sure” or “how will/can I be certain/sure”
that I will possess it
Quote: כִּ֥י אִֽירָשֶֽׁנָּה (1)“that I will possess/own this land/territory?” or “that this land will be mine?”
Genesis 15:9
Then he said to him
Quote: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלָ֗יו (1)“Yahweh said/replied to him/Abram,” or “Yahweh replied,”
Bring to me
Quote: קְחָ֥ה לִי֙ (1)“Bring me”
a three-year-old heifer
Quote: עֶגְלָ֣ה מְשֻׁלֶּ֔שֶׁת (1)“a cow that is three years old,”
and a three-year-old she-goat
Quote: וְעֵ֥ז מְשֻׁלֶּ֖שֶׁת (1)“a female goat that is three years old,”
and a three-year-old ram
Quote: וְאַ֣יִל מְשֻׁלָּ֑שׁ (1)“and a male sheep that is three years old”. For some languages it may be more natural to shorten this list of animals and say, “Bring to me a young cow, a female goat, and a male sheep, each of which is three years old,” Do what is best in your language.
and a turtledove and a young pigeon
Quote: וְתֹ֖ר וְגוֹזָֽל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
“as well as a turtledove/dove and a young pigeon.” Turtledoves and pigeons are common, closely related birds that look similar and are often gray or grayish brown in color. One of the main differences is that turtledoves are smaller than pigeons. Compare how you translated “dove” in Gen 8:8.
Genesis 15:10
So he brought
Quote: וַיִּֽקַּֽח (1)“So the next/following day Abram brought/took”. It was nighttime in verse 5 when Abram looked at the stars. Now in verses 10-11 it was probably daytime, which is when birds of prey fly (verse 11). Then in verse 12 it became night again. Consider what is the best way to begin this verse in your translation.
all those to him
Quote: ל֣וֹ אֶת כָּל אֵ֗לֶּה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“all those animals to him/Yahweh and slaughtered/killed them.” Some languages need to make explicit that Abram killed the animals first, before cutting them in half. Do what is best in your language.
Then he cut them in two
Quote: וַיְבַתֵּ֤ר אֹתָם֙ (1)“Then/Next Abram cut/divided the animals’ bodies”
down the middle
Quote: בַּתָּ֔וֶךְ (1)“in half lengthwise” or “into two parts lengthwise”. Abram probably cut the animals down the middle lengthwise, which means that each half had one front leg, and one back leg.
and laid the halves opposite to each other
Quote: וַיִּתֵּ֥ן אִישׁ־בִּתְר֖וֹ לִקְרַ֣את רֵעֵ֑הוּ (1)“and placed/arranged each half a short distance/space across from the/its other half in two rows,” or “and laid/arranged the right half of each animal opposite/across from its left half in two rows,”
but the birds he did not cut in two
Quote: וְאֶת הַצִפֹּ֖ר לֹ֥א בָתָֽר (1)“but he did not cut/divide the bodies of the birds in two/half.” or “except for the birds, which he did not cut in two/half.” See how you translated “cut … in two” earlier in verse 10.
Genesis 15:11
Then birds of prey came down
Quote: וַיֵּ֥רֶד הָעַ֖יִט (1)“Then some birds of prey landed” or “Then some vultures flew/swooped down and landed” or “Then some meat-eating birds”. This phrase refers to large birds that eat dead animal meat. Examples of these birds include vultures, buzzards, condors, eagles, and crows.
on the carcasses
Quote: עַל־הַפְּגָרִ֑ים (1)“the dead animal bodies/parts to eat them,” or “the dead animals to eat them,”
and Abram drove them away
Quote: וַיַּשֵּׁ֥ב אֹתָ֖ם אַבְרָֽם (1)“but Abram chased/scared them away.” or “but Abram made them go away.”
Genesis 15:12
Then it happened
Quote: וַיְהִ֤י (1)“Then it happened that” or “Later”. This phrase adds suspense and makes the reader wonder what will happen next. Many translations leave it out, but if possible it is best to keep it in your translation.
the sun was setting
Quote: הַשֶּׁ֨מֶשׁ֙ לָב֔וֹא (1)“as/when the sun was going down” or “as/when it was starting to become dark/night”
and a deep sleep fell on Abram
Quote: וְתַרְדֵּמָ֖ה נָפְלָ֣ה עַל אַבְרָ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“Abram fell/went into a deep/sound sleep,” or “Abram went soundly asleep,” See how you translated a similar idiom in Gen 2:21.
and behold
Quote: וְהִנֵּ֥ה (1)“and suddenly,” or “Then suddenly,” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
terror {and} great darkness fell on him
Quote: אֵימָ֛ה חֲשֵׁכָ֥ה גְדֹלָ֖ה נֹפֶ֥לֶת עָלָֽיו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“a great/deep, terrifying darkness came over him.” or “it became completely/very dark, and he became/was terrified.”
Genesis 15:13
Then he said to Abram
Quote: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר לְאַבְרָ֗ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“Then Yahweh said to Abram/him,”
Know for certain that
Quote: יָדֹ֨עַ תֵּדַ֜ע כִּי (1)“You can be certain/sure that” or “I want you to know that”
your offspring
Quote: זַרְעֲךָ֗ (1)“your descendants”. See how you translated this phrase in verse 5.
will be strangers
Quote: גֵ֣ר יִהְיֶ֣ה (1)“will live as foreigners/sojourners”. The word “strangers” refers to people who live temporarily in a city, country, or region, but they do not settle there permanently.
in a land
Quote: בְּאֶ֨רֶץ֙ (1)“in a country”
that} {does} not {belong} to them
Quote: לֹ֣א לָהֶ֔ם (1)“that is not their own.” or “that is not their home/homeland.”
and they will serve them
Quote: וַעֲבָד֖וּם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“They will serve the people of/in that land/country as slaves,” or “They will be servants/slaves for the people who live in that land/country,” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here. Also, make sure that your translation of these pronouns clearly communicates who is being referred to.
and they will afflict them
Quote: וְעִנּ֣וּ אֹתָ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“and those people will oppress/mistreat them” or “and those people will treat them cruelly/badly”. Notice that here the pronoun “they” refers to the people who were living in the country where Abram’s descendants will be sojourning and “them” refers to Abram’s descendants. Make sure that is clear in your translation.
400 years
Quote: אַרְבַּ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת שָׁנָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“for 400 years.” or “for a period of 400 years.” This phrase refers to how long Abram’s descendants would live in a land that is not theirs, not how long they would be oppressed, which was less than half of those 400 years. To make that clear in your translation, you could move this phrase earlier and say: “I want you to know that for 400 years your offspring/descendants will live in a land/country that is not their own, and the people of that country will oppress them.”
Genesis 15:14
But also
Quote: וְגַ֧ם (1)“But” or “But/And you can also be certain/sure that”
the nation
Quote: אֶת הַגּ֛וֹי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“the people of that nation/country” or “the/those people”
that they serve
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֥ר יַעֲבֹ֖דוּ (1)“whom they serve as slaves” or “who made them slaves”
I will judge
Quote: דָּ֣ן אָנֹ֑כִי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“I will punish,” For some languages it is clearer or more natural to put this clause earlier in this sentence and say, “But I will also judge/punish the people of the nation that they serve”. Do what is natural in your language.
and after that
Quote: וְאַחֲרֵי כֵ֥ן (1)“After that,” or “Then”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
they will come out
Quote: יֵצְא֖וּ (1)“your offspring/descendants will leave that land/country”
with great possessions
Quote: בִּרְכֻ֥שׁ גָּדֽוֹל (1)“with many possessions.” or “with great/much wealth.” or “and take many possessions/riches with them.” See how you translated “possessions” in Gen 14:16, 21.
Genesis 15:15
And you
Quote: וְאַתָּ֛ה (1)“Now/But as for you,” or “As for you,” In the Hebrew text, the pronoun “you” is emphatic and has an emphatic position in the sentence (before the verb) to change the topic. Do what is clear and natural in your language.
you will go to your fathers in peace
Quote: תָּב֥וֹא אֶל אֲבֹתֶ֖יךָ בְּשָׁל֑וֹם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
“you will be at peace when you die and join your forefathers/ancestors who have died/gone before you”. This clause is a euphemism that refers to Abram’s death. However, it is best to translate the clause as literally as possible, since it implies the important information that people are still alive after they have died on earth. Also, notice that the term “fathers” refers here to ancestors who have died, not those who are still alive on earth.
you will be buried at a good old age
Quote: תִּקָּבֵ֖ר בְּשֵׂיבָ֥ה טוֹבָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“In fact, you will not die until you have lived a good/blessed, long life.” or “In fact, you will live a good/blessed, long life before you die.” This clause is a euphemism that refers to Abram’s death. Make sure in your translation that it does not sound like he will be buried alive. For some languages it may be more natural to change the order of this sentence and say, “after you have lived a good/blessed long life, you will die peacefully and join your ancestors who have died before you.” Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 15:16
Then in the fourth generation
Quote: וְד֥וֹר רְבִיעִ֖י (1)“Then four generations later,” or “Then after four generations have passed,”
they will come back here
Quote: יָשׁ֣וּבוּ הֵ֑נָּה (1)“your descendants will return here to live,” or “your descendants will come back to this land and live here,”
because the sin of the Amorites {will} not {be} complete until then
Quote: כִּ֧י לֹא שָׁלֵ֛ם עֲוֺ֥ן הָאֱמֹרִ֖י עַד הֵֽנָּה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“because that is when the Amorite/Amor people will have sinned as much as I will allow before I take away their land and give it to your descendants.” or “and I will give them the land of the Amorite/Amor people, whose sin will have reached its limit by then.” God planned to give the Amorites’ land to Abram’s descendants because of the Amorites’ sin. Consider whether or not to include that implied information in your translation or in a footnote. Also, see how you translated the names of people groups in Gen 10:13-18.
Genesis 15:17
Then it happened
Quote: וַיְהִ֤י (1)“Then it happened that”. See how you translated this phrase in verse 12, and see the note about that there.
the sun went down
Quote: הַשֶּׁ֨מֶשׁ֙ בָּ֔אָה (1)“when/after the sun had gone down,” or “when/after the sun had set,” The sun had started to go down in verse 12. Here it had completely set.
and darkness came
Quote: וַעֲלָטָ֖ה הָיָ֑ה (1)“it was/became very dark”. This Hebrew word for “darkness” implies that it was darker than normal, so that not even light from the moon and stars was visible.
and behold
Quote: וְהִנֵּ֨ה (1)“and suddenly,” or “Then suddenly,” For some languages it is better to begin a new sentence here. Do what is best in your language.
there was} a smoking fire pot
Quote: תַנּ֤וּר עָשָׁן֙ (1)“a clay pot appeared that was full of burning coals and had smoke coming from it,”
and a flaming torch
Quote: וְלַפִּ֣יד אֵ֔שׁ (1)“and also a burning/blazing torch”
that passed
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָבַ֔ר (1)“and they both passed/went”
between those pieces
Quote: בֵּ֖ין הַגְּזָרִ֥ים הָאֵֽלֶּה (1)“between those/the two rows of animal parts/halves.”
Genesis 15:18
On that day
Quote: בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֗וּא (1)“On that very day” or “At that time”. It is still nighttime at this point (See: verse 17), so the word “day” refers generally here to a 24-hour day; it does not refer to daytime.
Yahweh cut
Quote: כָּרַ֧ת יְהוָ֛ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-Idiom
“Yahweh established/made”
a covenant with Abram
Quote: אֶת אַבְרָ֖ם בְּרִ֣ית (1)“a special/peace covenant/agreement with Abram”. See how you translated “covenant” in Gen 9:9, 11-13, 15-17.
saying
Quote: לֵאמֹ֑ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“by saying,” or “and said,”
To your offspring I have given this land
Quote: לְזַרְעֲךָ֗ נָתַ֨תִּי֙ אֶת הָאָ֣רֶץ הַזֹּ֔את (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“I am giving your offspring/descendants this land,” or “I hereby give this land to your offspring/descendants,” In the Hebrew text “to your offspring/descendants” is first in this quote to emphasize Abram’s descendants. Do what is natural in your language.
from the river of Egypt
Quote: מִנְּהַ֣ר מִצְרַ֔יִם (1)“which extends from Egypt’s river in the south”. This phrase probably refers to the Wadi El-Arish (not the Nile River), which is on the border between Egypt and Israel. It is best in a translation to leave this general as the Hebrew text does.
to the great river, the Euphrates River
Quote: עַד הַנָּהָ֥ר הַגָּדֹ֖ל נְהַר פְּרָֽת (1)“to the great/big Euphrates River in the north,”
Genesis 15:19
the land of
Quote: אֶת (1)“including the land which is owned/inhabited by” or “That is/includes the land which belongs to”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
the land of} the Kenites and the Kenizzites and the Kadmonites
Quote: אֶת הַקֵּינִי֙ וְאֶת הַקְּנִזִּ֔י וְאֵ֖ת הַקַּדְמֹנִֽי (1)“the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites,” or “Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites,” In a list of people group names like this (verses 19-21), for some languages it is more natural to leave out “and” and “the” most of the time. Do what is natural in your language.
Genesis 15:20
and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Rephaim
Quote: וְאֶת הַחִתִּ֥י וְאֶת הַפְּרִזִּ֖י וְאֶת הָרְפָאִֽים (1)“the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim/Rephaites,” or “Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaim/Rephaites,” Be consistent here with how you translated “the Hittites” in Gen 10:15, “the Perizzites” in Gen 13:7, and “the Rephaim/Rephaites” in Gen 14:5.
Genesis 15:21
and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Girgashites and the Jebusites
Quote: וְאֶת הָֽאֱמֹרִי֙ וְאֶת הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֔י וְאֶת הַגִּרְגָּשִׁ֖י וְאֶת הַיְבוּסִֽי (1)“the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.” or “Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites, and Jebusites.” Be consistent here with how you translated “the Amorites” in verse 18 and “Amorites”, “Canaanites”, “Girgashites”, and “Jebusites” in Gen 10:15-18.
Genesis 16
Genesis 16:1
Now Sarai, the wife of Abram
Quote: וְשָׂרַי֙ אֵ֣שֶׁת אַבְרָ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-background
“Sarai, Abram’s wife,” or “Now Abram’s wife Sarai”. This verse begins a new topic and gives background information about Sarai. Some languages have a special conjunction for this. Other languages do not use a conjunction here. Do what is best in your language.
had not born {children} for him
Quote: לֹ֥א יָלְדָ֖ה ל֑וֹ (1)“still had not had any children for him,” or “had still not given birth to any children for him,” Sarai’s barrenness is first mentioned in Gen 11:30.
but she had
Quote: וְלָ֛הּ (1)“but she owned” or “but she did have”
an Egyptian maidservant
Quote: שִׁפְחָ֥ה מִצְרִ֖ית (1)“an Egyptian slave/servant woman” or “a female slave/servant from the country of Egypt”. See how you translated “female slaves/servants” in Gen 12:16.
and her name {was} Hagar
Quote: וּשְׁמָ֥הּ הָגָֽר (1)“whose name was Hagar.” or “named Hagar.”
Genesis 16:2
So Sarai said to Abram
Quote: וַתֹּ֨אמֶר שָׂרַ֜י אֶל אַבְרָ֗ם (1)“So she told Abram,” or “Then Sarai/she told Abram,”
Behold please
Quote: הִנֵּה נָ֞א (1)“Listen please/now:” or “Please listen to me/this:” See how you translated this phrase in Gen 12:11.
Yahweh has prevented me from bearing {children
Quote: עֲצָרַ֤נִי יְהוָה֙ מִלֶּ֔דֶת (1)“Since Yahweh has not permitted/allowed me to bear/have any children,” or “As you know, Yahweh has not permitted/allowed me to bear/have any children, so”
Please go to
Quote: בֹּא נָא֙ אֶל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
“please sleep with” or “please have marital/sexual relations with”. Consider whether it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here or to continue the previous sentence. Also, see how you translated the idiom “went to” in Gen 6:4.
my maidservant
Quote: שִׁפְחָתִ֔י (1)“my slave/servant woman Hagar.” See how you translated “maidservant” in verse 1.
Perhaps
Quote: אוּלַ֥י (1)“Maybe” or “so that perhaps/maybe”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
I can be built up from her
Quote: אִבָּנֶ֖ה מִמֶּ֑נָּה (1)“I can build/have a family through her children.” or “she can have children for me so that I can build/have a family.”
And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai
Quote: וַיִּשְׁמַ֥ע אַבְרָ֖ם לְק֥וֹל שָׂרָֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“Abram agreed to do what Sarai/she requested/suggested.” or “So Abram listened to Sarai.”
Genesis 16:3
So Sarai, the wife of Abram, took
Quote: וַתִּקַּ֞ח שָׂרַ֣י אֵֽשֶׁת אַבְרָ֗ם (1)“So/Then Abram’s wife Sarai took/brought” or “Then Sarai took/brought”. In the Hebrew text, the phrase “Abram’s wife” is repeated (in verses 1 and 3) to emphasize Sarai’s relationship to Abram in contrast to Hagar. For some languages it is overly redundant to repeat that phrase, and so they leave it implied here. However, if possible, it is best to keep this repetition in your translation.
Hagar, her Egyptian maidservant
Quote: אֶת הָגָ֤ר הַמִּצְרִית֙ שִׁפְחָתָ֔הּ (1)“her Egyptian servant woman Hagar,” or “her servant Hagar,” The word “Egyptian” is repeated (in verses 1 and 3) to emphasize the fact that Hagar was a foreigner. If possible, it is best to keep this repetition in your translation.
at the end of ten years that Abram had lived in the land of Canaan
Quote: מִקֵּץ֙ עֶ֣שֶׂר שָׁנִ֔ים לְשֶׁ֥בֶת אַבְרָ֖ם בְּאֶ֣רֶץ כְּנָ֑עַן (1)“after Abram and Sarai had lived in the land/region of Canaan for ten years,”
and gave her to Abram her husband as a wife for him
Quote: וַתִּתֵּ֥ן אֹתָ֛הּ לְאַבְרָ֥ם אִישָׁ֖הּ ל֥וֹ לְאִשָּֽׁה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“and she gave her to her husband Abram to be his second wife.” For most languages it is clearer and more natural to change the order of the clauses in this verse and say, “So Abram’s wife Sarai gave her servant Hagar to her husband Abram to be his second wife. This/That happened after Abram and Sarai had lived in the land/region of Canaan for ten years.” Make sure your translation does not sound like verse 3 happened ten years after Abram agreed to sleep with Hagar.
Genesis 16:4
Then he went to Hagar
Quote: וַיָּבֹ֥א אֶל הָגָ֖ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
“Then/So Abram slept with Hagar,” or “Then/So Abram/he had marital relations with Hagar,” Consider whether it is better in your language to refer to Abram by his name or by a pronoun here at the beginning of this paragraph. See how you translated the idiom “go to” in verse 2.
and she conceived
Quote: וַתַּ֑הַר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
“and as a result,” or “and so”
and she conceived
Quote: וַתַּ֑הַר (1)“and as a result, she became pregnant.” or “and so she became pregnant.” Make sure that the way you translate this phrase will not be embarrassing or offensive to people, especially when it is read aloud.
And she saw that she had conceived
Quote: וַתֵּ֨רֶא֙ כִּ֣י הָרָ֔תָה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“And/But when she/Hagar saw/realized that she was pregnant,” The word “saw” is used here as an idiom that means “realized” or “perceived”. Consider whether or not you have a similar idiom in your language that would work well here.
and her mistress was despised in her eyes
Quote: וַתֵּקַ֥ל גְּבִרְתָּ֖הּ בְּעֵינֶֽיהָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
“she despised/disrespected her mistress/owner Sarai.” or “she regarded/treated her mistress/owner Sarai with contempt/disdain.” or “she started to look down on her mistress Sarai.” The phrase “despised in her eyes” is an idiom that refers here to Hagar’s attitude and disrespectful actions toward Sarai. Consider whether or not your language has a similar idiom. Also consider what is the best way to translate this passive clause in your language.
Genesis 16:5
Then Sarai said to Abram
Quote: וַתֹּ֨אמֶר שָׂרַ֣י אֶל אַבְרָם֮ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“Then/So Sarai complained to Abram,”
My wrong {is} on you
Quote: חֲמָסִ֣י עָלֶיךָ֒ (1)“I am suffering because of you!” or “I am being mistreated because of you!” or “It is your fault that I am being treated wrongly/badly!” or “It is your fault that I am suffering!”
I myself put my maidservant into your arms
Quote: אָנֹכִ֗י נָתַ֤תִּי שִׁפְחָתִי֙ בְּחֵיקֶ֔ךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
“I gave my maidservant/servant to you to be your wife,” or “I allowed my maidservant/servant to have marital relations with you,” The idiom “put … into your arms” refers to Abram’s relationship with Hagar. Make sure that your translation of this clause is not offensive.
but she sees that she has conceived
Quote: וַתֵּ֨רֶא֙ כִּ֣י הָרָ֔תָה (1)“but now that she knows/realizes that she is pregnant,”
and I am despised in her eyes
Quote: וָאֵקַ֖ל בְּעֵינֶ֑יהָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
“she despises/disrespects me!” or “she treats me with contempt/disdain”. Consider what is the best way to translate this passive clause in your language. Also see how you translated a similar clause in verse 4.
May Yahweh judge between me and you
Quote: יִשְׁפֹּ֥ט יְהוָ֖ה בֵּינִ֥י וּבֵינֶֽיׄךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“I ask Yahweh to judge/decide between you and me who is responsible for this!” or “I ask Yahweh to judge/decide who is right/wrong, you or me!” or “May Yahweh judge whether it is you or I who is responsible for this!” As the head of the household, it was Abram’s responsibility to rebuke Hagar and require her to respect Sarai. You could put that information in a footnote.
Genesis 16:6
Then Abram said to Sarai
Quote: וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אַבְרָ֜ם אֶל שָׂרַ֗י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“But Abram said/replied to Sarai/her,” or “Abram said/replied,”
Behold
Quote: הִנֵּ֤ה (1)“Look/Listen,”
your maidservant {is} in your hand
Quote: שִׁפְחָתֵךְ֙ בְּיָדֵ֔ךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“your slave/servant woman is under your authority/control.” or “you have authority over your slave/servant.” or “you are in charge of your servant.” The phrase “in your hand” is an idiom that refers to having control or authority over someone. Consider whether or not your language has a similar idiom. Also see how you translated “maidservant” in verses 1-3, 5.
Do to her
Quote: עֲשִׂי לָ֖הּ (1)“Do with her” or “So you can/may do to/with her”
what {is} good in your eyes
Quote: הַטּ֣וֹב בְּעֵינָ֑יִךְ (1)“whatever you think/decide is good/right/best.” or “whatever pleases you.” The phrase “in your eyes” is an idiom that refers to Sarai’s opinion. See how you translated a similar idiom (“in her eyes”) in verses 4 and 5.
Then Sarai afflicted her
Quote: וַתְּעַנֶּ֣הָ שָׂרַ֔י (1)“Then/So Sarai oppressed/mistreated her/Hagar, and/so” or “Then/So Sarai treated her/Hagar so harshly/badly that”. See how you translated “afflict” in Gen 15:13.
and she fled from her face
Quote: וַתִּבְרַ֖ח מִפָּנֶֽיהָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“she/Hagar ran away from her.” or “she/Hagar ran away from home to get away from her/Sarai.” Make sure it is clear in your translation that Hagar is the one who fled, not Sarai.
Genesis 16:7
Then the angel of Yahweh found her
Quote: וַֽיִּמְצָאָ֞הּ מַלְאַ֧ךְ יְהוָ֛ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-key-terms
“Then/But an angel/messenger sent from Yahweh found Hagar” or “Then/But one of Yahweh’s angels/messengers came to Hagar”. Make sure that the way you translate “found” does not sound like the angel had come across Hagar accidentally. Rather, he knew where she was and had gone to her intentionally. Also, this messenger from Yahweh was an angel, not a human being.
at a spring of water
Quote: עַל עֵ֥ין הַמַּ֖יִם (1)“by/beside a spring of water” or “by/beside a spring”
in the wilderness
Quote: בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר (1)“in the desert”. See how you translated “wilderness” in Gen 14:6.
at the spring
Quote: עַל הָעַ֖יִן (1)“She was at the spring” or “It was the spring”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
beside the road of Shur
Quote: בְּדֶ֥רֶךְ שֽׁוּר (1)“that was beside/by the road that goes to the city of Shur.” or “that was beside/by the road near the city of Shur.”
Genesis 16:8
And he said
Quote: וַיֹּאמַ֗ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“And the angel/messenger said to her,” or “The angel/messenger asked her,” The angel asked Hagar a question, so for some languages it is better to use a word like “asked” here. Consider what is the best way to translate this quote margin in your language.
Hagar, maidservant of Sarai
Quote: הָגָ֞ר שִׁפְחַ֥ת שָׂרַ֛י (1)“Hagar, Sarai’s slave/servant,” or “Hagar, who serves Sarai,”
where have you come from, and where are you going
Quote: אֵֽי מִזֶּ֥ה בָ֖את וְאָ֣נָה תֵלֵ֑כִי (1)“where are you coming from, and where are you headed?”
And she said
Quote: וַתֹּ֕אמֶר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“She/Hagar said/replied to him,” or “She/Hagar answered him,”
I am fleeing from the face of Sarai, my mistress
Quote: מִפְּנֵי֙ שָׂרַ֣י גְּבִרְתִּ֔י אָנֹכִ֖י בֹּרַֽחַת (1)“I am running away from my mistress/owner Sarai.” See how you translated “fled from … face” in verse 6 and how you translated “mistress” in verse 4.
Genesis 16:9
Then the angel of Yahweh said to her
Quote: וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לָהּ֙ מַלְאַ֣ךְ יְהוָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases
“But/So Yahweh’s angel/messenger told her/Hagar,” or “Then/But he told her/Hagar,” Consider what is the best way to begin this verse in your translation, after what Hagar said in verse 8.
Return to your mistress
Quote: שׁ֖וּבִי אֶל גְּבִרְתֵּ֑ךְ (1)“Go back home to your mistress/owner Sarai”. See how you translated “mistress/owner” in verses 4 and 8.
and submit under her hands
Quote: וְהִתְעַנִּ֖י תַּ֥חַת יָדֶֽיהָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“and humbly submit yourself to her authority.” or “obey her as her servant.” See how you translated a similar idiom (“in your hand”) in verse 6.
Genesis 16:10
Then the angel of Yahweh said to her
Quote: וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לָהּ֙ מַלְאַ֣ךְ יְהוָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“Then the angel/messenger told/promised her,” or “Then he added/continued,” Some languages do not include the quote margins here and in verse 11, because the angel is still talking to Hagar. However, the repeated quote margins could be there to emphasize what the angel says next and/or to show that he paused or that he is changing the topic.
I will greatly increase your offspring
Quote: הַרְבָּ֥ה אַרְבֶּ֖ה אֶת זַרְעֵ֑ךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“I Yahweh will greatly increase/multiply the number of your offspring/descendants, so that” or “This is what Yahweh says/promises to you: “I will give you so many offspring/descendants that” ” or “Yahweh promises to you that he will give you many descendants, so that”. The pronoun “I” refers to Yahweh here. So either the angel was representing Yahweh and speaking Yahweh’s words to Hagar or it was Yahweh himself who had taken on the form of an angel.
so that they cannot be counted
Quote: וְלֹ֥א יִסָּפֵ֖ר (1)“no one will be able to count them all,” or “there will be too many to count,”
because of their abundance
Quote: מֵרֹֽב (1)“because of their large number.” or “because there will be so many of them.”
Genesis 16:11
Then the angel of Yahweh said to her
Quote: וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לָהּ֙ מַלְאַ֣ךְ יְהוָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations
“Then/Finally the angel/messenger also said/prophesied to her,” or “Then/Finally he also told her,” or “Then the angel/messenger added/continued,”
Behold, {you are} pregnant, and you will bear a son
Quote: הִנָּ֥ךְ הָרָ֖ה וְיֹלַ֣דְתְּ בֵּ֑ן (1)“Look/Listen, as you know, you are expecting a child/baby. You will bear/have a son, and/then” or “Look/Listen, you are pregnant with a son. After/When he is born,” Make sure it is clear in your translation that Hagar already knew that she was pregnant, but did not know she was having a son or what she should name him.
and you will call his name
Quote: וְקָרָ֤את שְׁמוֹ֙ (1)“give him the name” or “name him”
Ishmael
Quote: יִשְׁמָעֵ֔אל (1)“Ishmael, which means “God listens/hears,”” Some translation teams make the meaning of Ishmael’s name explicit in their translation. Other teams put the meaning of his name in a footnote. See what you did for similar cases in Gen 3:20, 4:1, 16, 25; 6:29, 10:25, 11:9.
because Yahweh has listened to
Quote: כִּֽי שָׁמַ֥ע יְהוָ֖ה אֶל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“because Yahweh heard” or “because Yahweh paid attention to”. If you include the meaning of Ishmael’s name earlier in this verse, make sure it fits with how you translate this clause.
your misery
Quote: עָנְיֵֽךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“your cries of misery/suffering and has helped you.” or “you when you were suffering and has helped you.” The word that means “listened to” implies here that God also took action to help Hagar.
Genesis 16:12
And he
Quote: וְה֤וּא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“When Ishmael grows up, he” or “As for Ishmael, when he grows up, he”. The pronoun “he” is emphatic here, to emphasize Ishmael. Make sure that your translation refers here to Ishmael, not Yahweh.
will be a wild donkey of a man
Quote: יִהְיֶה֙ פֶּ֣רֶא אָדָ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
“will be proud and free like a wild/untamed donkey” or “will be like a wild/untamed donkey that no one can control/rule” or “will not be ruled by anyone else”. The angel compares Ishmael to a wild donkey. Consider whether or not your language can use a similar metaphor or a simile here.
his hand against everyone and the hand of everyone against him
Quote: יָד֣וֹ בַכֹּ֔ל וְיַ֥ד כֹּ֖ל בּ֑וֹ (1)“He will fight against everyone, and everyone will fight against him.” or “He will be enemies with everyone.”
and he will live in the faces of
Quote: וְעַל־פְּנֵ֥י & יִשְׁכֹּֽן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism
“In fact, he will even be hostile toward” or “Yes/Indeed, he will also/even fight against”. The rest of this verse forms a parallelism with the first half, emphasizing what Ishmael (and his descendants) will be like. Try to keep both parts of the parallelism in your translation, since each part has a different focus and the second part adds important information. Also, consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
all of his brothers
Quote: כָל אֶחָ֖יו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
“all of his own relatives.” or “all of his own family members.” The word “brothers” is used here to refer to relatives in general. Consider what is the best way to translate this synecdoche in your language.
Genesis 16:13
Then she called the name of Yahweh who had spoken to her, “You {are} El Roi
Quote: וַתִּקְרָ֤א שֵׁם יְהוָה֙ הַדֹּבֵ֣ר אֵלֶ֔יהָ אַתָּ֖ה אֵ֣ל רֳאִ֑י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“Then she/Hagar named Yahweh who had spoken to her. She said/exclaimed, “You are the God who sees!” ” or “After Yahweh spoke to her/Hagar, she called him El Roi, which means “the God who sees,”” Some translations transliterate (copy or borrow) the name “El Roi” from the Hebrew, some translate its meaning, and some do both. Decide what is best in your language.
because she said
Quote: כִּ֣י אָֽמְרָ֗ה (1)“She named him that, because she had said/exclaimed to herself,” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
Have I really seen here the back of {the one who} sees me
Quote: הֲגַ֥ם הֲלֹ֛ם רָאִ֖יתִי אַחֲרֵ֥י רֹאִֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
“How can it be that I was able to look at the back of the one/God who looks after me?” or “I just now saw the back of him/God who sees me!” Hagar’s rhetorical question shows surprise and amazement. Consider what is the best way to communicate that in your translation.
Genesis 16:14
For that {reason
Quote: עַל כֵּן֙ (1)“That is why”. See how you translated this phrase in Gen 11:9.
they call the well
Quote: קָרָ֣א לַבְּאֵ֔ר (1)“the/that well is/was called/named” or “people call that well” or “the name of the/that well is”. Frequently in the Hebrew text, this phrase has a general meaning and does not refer to someone specific. Also, this well is the same as the spring in verse 7. For some languages, it may be necessary to translate these words the same way so that it is clear that they refer to the same place. Do what is best in your language.
Beer Lahai Roi
Quote: בְּאֵ֥ר לַחַ֖י רֹאִ֑י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“Beer Lahai Roi, which means, “Well of the Living One, who sees me.””
Behold
Quote: הִנֵּ֥ה (1)“It is still there” or “That well is still there”
it is} between Kadesh and Bered
Quote: בֵין קָדֵ֖שׁ וּבֵ֥ין בָּֽרֶד (1)“between the cities of Kadesh and Bered.” Be consistent here with how you spelled “Kadesh” in Gen 14:7.
Genesis 16:15
Then Hagar bore a son for Abram
Quote: וַתֵּ֧לֶד הָגָ֛ר לְאַבְרָ֖ם בֵּ֑ן (1)“After that, Hagar/she returned home and gave birth to a son for Abram,”
and Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael
Quote: וַיִּקְרָ֨א אַבְרָ֧ם שֶׁם בְּנ֛וֹ אֲשֶׁר יָלְדָ֥ה הָגָ֖ר יִשְׁמָעֵֽאל (1)“and he called/named his son whom she bore/had Ishmael.” or “and Abram/he named his/their son Ishmael.”
Genesis 16:16
And Abram {was
Quote: וְאַבְרָ֕ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases
“Abram was”. For some languages it is more natural to omit the conjunction here. Do what is best in your language.
a son of
Quote: בֶּן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idioms
“86 years old”. See how you translated a similar phrase in Gen 5:32.
when Hagar bore Ishmael for Abram
Quote: בְּלֶֽדֶת הָגָ֥ר אֶת יִשְׁמָעֵ֖אל לְאַבְרָֽם (1)“when Hagar gave birth to Ishmael for him.” or “when Hagar had Ishmael for him.” See how you translated “bore … for Abram” in verse 15. Also, be consistent here with how you spelled “Hagar” in chapter 16 (verses 1, 4, 6-11, 13), and how you spelled “Ishmael” in verses 11, 12 and 15.
Genesis 17
Genesis 17:1
Then Abram was a son of ninety-nine years
Quote: וַיְהִ֣י אַבְרָ֔ם בֶּן־תִּשְׁעִ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה וְתֵ֣שַׁע שָׁנִ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent
“Years later, when Abram was ninety-nine/99 years old,” Thirteen years have passed between the last verse of chapter 16 and the first verse of chapter 17. Consider what is the best way in your language to begin this new section. See how you translated “was a son of … years” in Gen 5:32.
and Yahweh appeared to Abram
Quote: וַיֵּרָ֨א יְהוָ֜ה אֶל אַבְרָ֗ם (1)“Yahweh appeared/came to him” or “Yahweh visited him”. See how you translated this clause in Gen 12:7.
and said to him
Quote: וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלָיו֙ (1)“and told him,”
I {am} God Almighty
Quote: אֲנִי אֵ֣ל שַׁדַּ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“I am Almighty God.” or “I am the all-powerful God.” or “I am God who is all-powerful.” Most translation teams translate the meaning of God’s title here (“God Almighty”). A few teams transliterate the title as “El Shaddai” (as if it were a personal name) and put the meaning of the title in a footnote. Abram already knew that God’s personal name is Yahweh (Gen 12:8; 15:7-8), so he would have understood that God was using a title here (not a personal name). The title “God Almighty” emphasizes God’s authority and power. You could include a transliteration of this title in a footnote.
Walk before me
Quote: הִתְהַלֵּ֥ךְ לְפָנַ֖י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idioms
“Walk/Live in my presence” or “Live according to my will” or “Live in a way that pleases me”. This phrase is an idiom that means to habitually live according to God’s will.
and be
Quote: וֶהְיֵ֥ה (1)“yes, you must be” or “so that you will be”
without blemish
Quote: תָמִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“without fault.” or “blameless/upright.” See how you translated this idiom in Gen 6:9. It may be necessary to translate this term in different ways, depending on the context.
Genesis 17:2
And I will make my covenant
Quote: וְאֶתְּנָ֥ה בְרִיתִ֖י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-key-terms
“I will establish/institute my covenant/agreement”. Some translations begin this sentence without a conjunction. Do what is best in your language. See how you translated “cut/make/establish … covenant” in Gen 15:18, where the verb is different from here but has a similar meaning (“establish/seal” or “put into effect”).
between me and you
Quote: בֵּינִ֣י וּבֵינֶ֑ךָ (1)“with you,”
and I will multiply you very greatly
Quote: וְאַרְבֶּ֥ה אוֹתְךָ֖ בִּמְאֹ֥ד מְאֹֽד (1)“and I will cause you to have very many descendants.” or “and I will increase the number of your descendants so that they are exceedingly/very numerous.”
Genesis 17:3
Then Abram fell on his face
Quote: וַיִּפֹּ֥ל אַבְרָ֖ם עַל־פָּנָ֑יו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
“Then Abram prostrated himself before God to show him respect,” or “When Abram heard that, he bowed with his face to the ground before God to show respect,” Make sure that the translation of this clause does not sound like Abram fell down accidentally. Rather, he intentionally threw himself to the ground out of deep respect for God.
and God spoke with him, saying
Quote: וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר אִתּ֛וֹ אֱלֹהִ֖ים לֵאמֹֽר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“and God spoke with/to him and said,” or “and God continued speaking with/to him/Abram,” or “and God continued/added,” Some translations omit “saying” here because it is not natural in those languages. Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 17:4
As for} me, behold, my covenant with you {is} that you will be
Quote: אֲנִ֕י הִנֵּ֥ה בְרִיתִ֖י אִתָּ֑ךְ וְהָיִ֕יתָ (1)“Listen/Look, this is my part/responsibility in my covenant/agreement with you: I will cause you to be/become” or “Listen/Look, this is what I will do to fulfill my covenant/agreement with you: I will make you” In the Hebrew text, the pronoun “me” is emphatic both in form and in sentence position to emphasize that Yahweh is the one doing this.
the father of
Quote: לְאַ֖ב (1)“the ancestor of”. See how you translated this phrase in Gen 4:20, 21; 10:21.
a multitude of
Quote: הֲמ֥וֹן (1)“a large number of” or “many”
nations
Quote: גּוֹיִֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-key-terms
“people/ethnic groups.” See how you translated this term in Gen 10:5, 20, 31, 32.
Genesis 17:5
And your name will not be called Abram anymore
Quote: וְלֹא־יִקָּרֵ֥א ע֛וֹד אֶת־שִׁמְךָ֖ אַבְרָ֑ם (1)“So your name will not be Abram anymore,” or “Your name will no longer be Abram,”
but your name will be Abraham
Quote: וְהָיָ֤ה שִׁמְךָ֙ אַבְרָהָ֔ם (1)“Rather/Instead, from now on it will be Abraham,” or “Rather, I am changing it now to Abraham,” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
because I have made you
Quote: כִּ֛י & נְתַתִּֽיךָ (1)“because I will make you” or “because you will be”. The form of the Hebrew verb in this clause is completed aspect (“have made”) and shows certainty that God will do this. Consider what is the best way to communicate that in your language.
the father of a multitude of nations
Quote: אַב הֲמ֥וֹן גּוֹיִ֖ם (1)“the ancestor of many people/ethnic groups.” See how you translated this phrase in verse 4.
Genesis 17:6
And I will make you very, very fruitful
Quote: וְהִפְרֵתִ֤י אֹֽתְךָ֙ בִּמְאֹ֣ד מְאֹ֔ד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases
“Yes, I will make you extremely/exceedingly fruitful,” or “I will give you very many offspring/descendants,” This verse repeats and elaborates on the last part of verse 5; it does not refer to different events. Consider what is the best way to begin this sentence in your language.
and I will make you into nations
Quote: וּנְתַתִּ֖יךָ לְגוֹיִ֑ם (1)“so that you will be/become the father/ancestor of many people/ethnic groups,” or “and I will cause your descendants to become many people/ethnic groups,”
and kings will come from you
Quote: וּמְלָכִ֖ים מִמְּךָ֥ יֵצֵֽאוּ (1)“In fact, there will be kings who descend from you.” or “In fact, some of your descendants will be/become kings.” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here. See how you translated “king” in Gen 14:1-5.
Genesis 17:7
And I will establish my covenant between me and you
Quote: וַהֲקִמֹתִ֨י אֶת בְּרִיתִ֜י בֵּינִ֣י וּבֵינֶ֗ךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular
“I will establish/make my covenant/agreement with you”. See how you translated a similar clause in verse 2. The pronouns “you” and “your” are singular in this clause and also later in this verse.
and your offspring after you
Quote: וּבֵ֨ין זַרְעֲךָ֧ אַחֲרֶ֛יךָ (1)“and all your offspring/descendants who live/come after you” or “as well as all your offspring/descendants”
throughout their generations
Quote: לְדֹרֹתָ֖ם (1)“for all generations to come” or “for all future generations”
as an eternal covenant
Quote: לִבְרִ֣ית עוֹלָ֑ם (1)“It will be a covenant/agreement that never ends,” or “It will be a covenant/agreement that lasts forever,” For some languages it is better to break up this long sentence and begin a new sentence here. Do what is best in your language.
to be God to you and to your offspring after you
Quote: לִהְי֤וֹת לְךָ֙ לֵֽאלֹהִ֔ים וּֽלְזַרְעֲךָ֖ אַחֲרֶֽיךָ (1)“that I will be your God and the God of all your descendants.” or “that I will be the God who takes care of you and all your descendants.” or “that I will be the God whom you and all your descendants worship/serve.”
Genesis 17:8
And I will give to you and to your offspring after you
Quote: וְנָתַתִּ֣י לְ֠ךָ וּלְזַרְעֲךָ֨ אַחֲרֶ֜יךָ (1)“I will also give to you and your offspring/descendants”
the land of your sojournings
Quote: אֵ֣ת אֶ֣רֶץ מְגֻרֶ֗יךָ (1)“the/this land where you have been living as a foreigner/outsider,”
all the land of Canaan
Quote: אֵ֚ת כָּל אֶ֣רֶץ כְּנַ֔עַן (1)“yes, the entire land/region of Canaan,”
as an eternal possession
Quote: לַאֲחֻזַּ֖ת עוֹלָ֑ם (1)“It will be their land/property forever,” or “They will own it forever,” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
and I will be God to them
Quote: וְהָיִ֥יתִי לָהֶ֖ם לֵאלֹהִֽים (1)“and I will be their God.” or “and I will be the God who takes care of them.” or “I will be the God whom they worship/serve.” See how you translated the phrase “be God to you” in verse 7.
Genesis 17:9
Then God said to Abraham
Quote: וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶל אַבְרָהָ֔ם (1)“Then God continued,” Some languages leave out this quote margin, because God is still speaking to the same person. See what you did for similar cases in Gen 16:10-11.
And you
Quote: וְאַתָּ֖ה (1)“As for you,” or “Now as for your part/responsibility in this/my covenant/agreement,” or “Your part/responsibility in this/my covenant/agreement is that”. In the Hebrew text, the pronoun “you” is emphatic both in form and in sentence position to shift the focus from talking about God’s part in the covenant (verses 4-8) to talking about Abraham’s part. Translate this phrase in a way that shows this change in focus.
you must keep my covenant
Quote: אֶת בְּרִיתִ֣י תִשְׁמֹ֑ר (1)“you must keep/obey the requirements/rules of my covenant/agreement,” or “you must obey me,”
you and your offspring
Quote: אַתָּ֛ה וְזַרְעֲךָ֥ (1)“both/including you and” or “That includes you and” or “That applies to you as well as”. For some languages it is better to begin a new sentence here. Do what is best in your language.
and your offspring after you
Quote: וְזַרְעֲךָ֥ אַֽחֲרֶ֖יךָ (1)“all your descendants who live after you” or “all your offspring/descendants”
throughout their generations
Quote: לְדֹרֹתָֽם (1)“for/including all generations to come.” or “for/including all future generations.” See how you translated this phrase in verse 7, and a similar phrase in verse 8.
Genesis 17:10
This {is} my covenant
Quote: זֹ֣את בְּרִיתִ֞י (1)“This is what I require in my covenant/agreement” or “This is one of the requirements of/in my covenant/agreement”
which you must keep
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֣ר תִּשְׁמְר֗וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular
“which you all must obey,” Notice that the pronoun “you” is plural here.
between me and you and
Quote: בֵּינִי֙ וּבֵ֣ינֵיכֶ֔ם וּבֵ֥ין (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular
“the covenant/agreement that is between me and you all, including” or “the covenant/agreement I have made with all of you, including”. The pronoun “you” is plural here and probably refers to Abraham and his family or household.
your offspring after you
Quote: זַרְעֲךָ֖ אַחֲרֶ֑יךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“your descendants who will live after you:” or “all your descendants:” Notice that the pronouns “your” and “you” are singular here and refer to Abraham. Also, it may be clearer or more natural to change the order of some of the clauses in this sentence and say, “This is what I require in my covenant/agreement with you and your descendants who will live after you, which you all must keep/obey:” Do what is best in your language.
Every male among you must be circumcised
Quote: הִמּ֥וֹל לָכֶ֖ם כָּל זָכָֽר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-key-terms
“You must circumcise all males who live among/with you.” or “You must cut off the male foreskin of every boy and man who lives among you.” Circumcision involves cutting the foreskin off the penis of a boy or man. Translate this clause in a way that does not offend or embarrass people. Some languages may need to be more discreet and say something general like “must cut off the male skin” or “must follow the male skin-cutting custom.” It may be necessary to include a footnote and/or an explanation in the glossary about this so that people understand what circumcision is, especially in areas where people cut their skin on other parts of the body for other reasons.
Genesis 17:11
Indeed, you must be circumcised {in} the flesh of your foreskins
Quote: וּנְמַלְתֶּ֕ם אֵ֖ת בְּשַׂ֣ר עָרְלַתְכֶ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular
“Yes, all the males among you must have your/their foreskins cut off,” or “Indeed/Yes, you must circumcise the foreskin of all the males among you”. Notice that in the Hebrew text, the pronouns “you” and “your” are plural in this verse. Also, be consistent here with how you translated “circumcise” in verse 10.
and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you
Quote: וְהָיָה֙ לְא֣וֹת בְּרִ֔ית בֵּינִ֖י וּבֵינֵיכֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular
“and that custom/practice will serve as the sign that reminds you of this/my covenant/agreement I made with all of you.” or “and that custom/practice will remind/show you all that I made this/my covenant/agreement with you.” The pronoun “you” is plural here.
Genesis 17:12
So a son of eight days must be circumcised
Quote: וּבֶן שְׁמֹנַ֣ת יָמִ֗ים יִמּ֥וֹל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
“Every eight-day-old baby boy must be circumcised by you,” or “So you must circumcise every eight-day-old baby boy,” Consider what is the best way to translate this passive clause in your language.
every male
Quote: כָּל זָכָ֖ר (1)The Hebrew text is ambiguous here. It could mean: (1) “and every other male” or “as well as all other males” or (2) “yes, every male child”. The following context suggests that this phrase includes males of all ages, not just babies, since male slaves who were bought would especially include adult males.
among you
Quote: לָכֶ֛ם (1)“among your people”
throughout your generations
Quote: לְדֹרֹתֵיכֶ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“for all future generations,” It may be more natural to put this phrase at the beginning of this verse and say, “For all future generations you must circumcise every baby boy who is eight days old, as well as all other males among your people …” Do what is best in your language.
the one born in {your} house
Quote: יְלִ֣יד בָּ֔יִת (1)“including those/males who are born in your household/family” or “That includes those/males from your own household/family”. This phrase refers to Abraham’s future sons, including Isaac (Gen 21:4) and his concubines’ sons (25:6), and may also refer to the sons of Abraham’s servants. Also, for some languages it may be better to begin a new sentence here. Do what is best in your language.
and the one bought with money from any son of a foreigner, who {is} not your offspring
Quote: וּמִקְנַת כֶּ֨סֶף֙ מִכֹּ֣ל בֶּן נֵכָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֛ר לֹ֥א מִֽזַּרְעֲךָ֖ (1)“and those whom you buy from foreigners as slaves/servants, who are not your offspring/descendants.” or “as well as those who are not your offspring/descendants but are slaves/servants whom you have bought from foreigners.”
Genesis 17:13
He must surely be circumcised
Quote: הִמּ֧וֹל יִמּ֛וֹל (1)“That’s right, they must definitely be circumcised,” or “Yes, you must surely/definitely circumcise all of them,” This verse repeats and emphasizes what was just said in verse 12. Consider what is the best way to communicate this emphasis in your language.
the one born in your house and the one bought with your money
Quote: יְלִ֥יד בֵּֽיתְךָ֖ וּמִקְנַ֣ת כַּסְפֶּ֑ךָ (1)“including those/males who are born in your household as well as those/males whom you buy as a slave/servant.” or “regardless of whether they are sons/males from your own household/family or slaves/servants whom you have bought.” See how you translated these phrases in verse 12. It may be best to translate them in a slightly different way here because of the repetition. Do what is best in your language.
So my covenant will be
Quote: וְהָיְתָ֧ה בְרִיתִ֛י (1)“That is how the sign of my covenant/agreement will/must be marked” or “That is how you must mark my covenant/agreement”
in your flesh
Quote: בִּבְשַׂרְכֶ֖ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
“on your bodies”. The word “flesh” refers here to the body in general. Translate this in a way that is clear and natural in your language.
as an eternal covenant
Quote: לִבְרִ֥ית עוֹלָֽם (1)“to show that it is an everlasting/permanent covenant/agreement.” or “to show that it is a covenant/agreement that never ends.” See how you translated “an eternal covenant” in verse 7.
Genesis 17:14
And {as for} an uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin
Quote: וְעָרֵ֣ל זָכָ֗ר אֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹֽא יִמּוֹל֙ אֶת בְּשַׂ֣ר עָרְלָת֔וֹ (1)“But as for any/every male/man who is not circumcised,” or “In fact, if a/any man refuses to let you circumcise him,” or “If a/any man refuses to be circumcised,” In this context, “male” refers to men who refuse to be circumcised, not baby boys.
indeed that person must be cut off from his people
Quote: וְנִכְרְתָ֛ה הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁ הַהִ֖וא מֵעַמֶּ֑יהָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“that person must be sent away and not be allowed to associate/fellowship with his/my people” or “you must send him away and not allow him to associate/fellowship with his/my people”. The phrase “cut off from his people” is an idiom which means that the person is an outcast of society and can no longer associate closely with other people in that society. Consider whether or not your language has a similar idiom that would work well here.
he has broken
Quote: הֵפַֽר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“because he has not kept/obeyed” or “because he has disobeyed”. This phrase has the opposite meaning of “keep” or “obey” in verse 9. Consider whether or not your language has an idiom like “broken” that means to not do what has been agreed upon or to disobey what was commanded.
my covenant
Quote: אֶת בְּרִיתִ֖י (1)“the requirements/rules of my covenant/agreement.” or “what I require in my covenant/agreement.”
Genesis 17:15
Then God said to Abraham
Quote: וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶל אַבְרָהָ֔ם (1)“Later God also said to Abraham,” or “God also told Abraham,”
As for} Sarai your wife
Quote: שָׂרַ֣י אִשְׁתְּךָ֔ (1)“As for your wife Sarai,” This phrase is first in this quote to change the focus to Sarai and emphasize her. Consider what is the best way to do this in your language.
do not call her name Sarai
Quote: לֹא תִקְרָ֥א אֶת שְׁמָ֖הּ שָׂרָ֑י (1)“do not call her Sarai anymore,” or “her name will no longer be Sarai,”
because her name {will be} Sarah
Quote: כִּ֥י שָׂרָ֖ה שְׁמָֽהּ (1)“because from now on her name will be Sarah.” or “Rather/Instead, her name is now Sarah.” or “Rather, from now on it will be Sarah.” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
Genesis 17:16
and I will also give to you a son from her
Quote: וְגַ֨ם נָתַ֧תִּי מִמֶּ֛נָּה לְךָ֖ בֵּ֑ן (1)“and I will definitely enable her to bear/have a son for you.” or “and I will definitely give you a son by her.”
Indeed I will bless her
Quote: וּבֵֽרַכְתִּ֨יהָ֙ (1)“In fact, I will bless/prosper her” or “Yes, I will bless/prosper her”
and she will become nations
Quote: וְהָֽיְתָ֣ה לְגוֹיִ֔ם (1)“so that she will become the mother/ancestor of many people/ethnic groups,” or “so much that she will have many descendants that will become/form new/many people/ethnic groups,” See how you translated “nations” in verses 4-6.
kings of peoples will come from her
Quote: מַלְכֵ֥י עַמִּ֖ים מִמֶּ֥נָּה יִהְיֽוּ (1)“and kings over peoples/nations will descend from her.” or “and some of her descendants will even be kings who rule over many people/ethnic groups.” See how you translated a similar clause in verse 6.
Genesis 17:17
Then Abraham fell on his face
Quote: וַיִּפֹּ֧ל אַבְרָהָ֛ם עַל־פָּנָ֖יו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
“When Abraham heard that, he bowed with his face to the ground before God to show respect,” or “Then Abraham prostrated himself before God to show him respect,” See how you translated a similar clause in verse 3.
and he laughed and said in his heart
Quote: וַיִּצְחָ֑ק וַיֹּ֣אמֶר בְּלִבּ֗וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“but he laughed to himself and thought,” or “but he laughed silently and thought to himself,” The phrase “said in his heart” is an idiom that refers to something Abraham thought, but did not say out loud. Consider whether or not your language has a similar idiom that fits well here.
Will {a child} be born to a son of 100 years
Quote: הַלְּבֶ֤ן מֵאָֽה שָׁנָה֙ יִוָּלֵ֔ד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
“How can a hundred-year-old man like me/myself father a son/child?” or “Certainly it is not possible for a hundred-year-old man like me to father a son/child!” or “Certainly a hundred-year-old man like myself cannot father a son/child, can he?” Abraham uses the rhetorical questions in verse 17 to express strong disbelief. If that is not clear in your language, you could translate the rhetorical questions as statements, with or without a tag question.
And will Sarah who is a daughter of ninety years bear {a child
Quote: וְאִ֨ם שָׂרָ֔ה הֲבַת תִּשְׁעִ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה תֵּלֵֽד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
“And how can Sarah who is 90 years old still have a baby/child?” or “And certainly it is not possible for a 90-year-old woman like Sarah to still bear/have a baby/child!” or “And certainly a 90-year-old woman like Sarah cannot still give birth to a baby/child, can she?”
Genesis 17:18
Then Abraham said to God
Quote: וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אַבְרָהָ֖ם אֶל הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“Then/So Abraham/he said to God,”
If only Ishmael
Quote: ל֥וּ יִשְׁמָעֵ֖אל (1)“Oh, that Ishmael could/would” or “Please let Ishmael”. Consider what is the best way to express this strong wish or hope in your language.
might live before you
Quote: יִחְיֶ֥ה לְפָנֶֽיךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“live/prosper in your presence!” or “be the one whom you bless!” This idiom means to live under God’s care and be blessed by him.
Genesis 17:19
Then God said
Quote: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֗ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“God said/replied to him,”
No
Quote: אֲבָל֙ (1)“No, rather” or “Yes, but/however”. Consider whether it is best in your language to begin God’s response to Abraham here with a “No” or a “Yes”. Although God agrees that he will bless Ishmael (verse 20), he disagrees with Abraham’s request to allow Ishmael to be the one God establishes his covenant with.
Sarah your wife
Quote: שָׂרָ֣ה אִשְׁתְּךָ֗ (1)“as I said, your wife Sarah is the one who” or “it is your wife Sarah who”. Here God emphasizes what he said in verse 16 about Sarah.
is bearing a son for you
Quote: יֹלֶ֤דֶת לְךָ֙ בֵּ֔ן (1)“will bear you a son,” or “will give birth to a son for you,”
and you will call his name Isaac
Quote: וְקָרָ֥אתָ אֶת שְׁמ֖וֹ יִצְחָ֑ק (1)“and you must name him Isaac.” or “You must give him the name Isaac.” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here. See how you translated “call … name …” in verse 15.
And I will establish my covenant with him
Quote: וַהֲקִמֹתִ֨י אֶת בְּרִיתִ֥י אִתּ֛וֹ (1)“I will establish/make my covenant/agreement with him” or “He is the one I will establish my covenant/agreement with,” See how you translated a similar clause in verse 7.
as an eternal covenant
Quote: לִבְרִ֥ית עוֹלָ֖ם (1)“as a permanent covenant/agreement”
for his offspring after him
Quote: לְזַרְע֥וֹ אַחֲרָֽיו (1)“that will also be for/with all his offspring/descendants who live after him.” or “that I will also establish/keep with all his offspring/descendants who live after him.”
Genesis 17:20
And as for Ishmael, I have heard you
Quote: וּֽלְיִשְׁמָעֵ֘אל שְׁמַעְתִּיךָ֒ (1)“As for Ishmael, I have heard your request for him.” or “I also heard what you asked me to do for Ishmael.”
Behold
Quote: הִנֵּ֣ה (1)“So behold/listen,” or “So here/this is what I will do:”
I will bless him
Quote: בֵּרַ֣כְתִּי אֹת֗וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“I will also bless/prosper him,” See how you translated “bless” in verse 16.
and I will make him fruitful
Quote: וְהִפְרֵיתִ֥י אֹת֛וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“and I will give him many children”
and multiply him very greatly
Quote: וְהִרְבֵּיתִ֥י אֹת֖וֹ בִּמְאֹ֣ד מְאֹ֑ד (1)“and greatly increase the number of his descendants.” or “so that he has a great many descendants.”
He will father
Quote: יוֹלִ֔יד (1)“In fact, he will be the father of” or “In fact, he will have”
twelve rulers
Quote: שְׁנֵים עָשָׂ֤ר נְשִׂיאִם֙ (1)“twelve sons who become chiefs,” or “twelve sons who will be great/powerful leaders,” Many translations have “princes” here, but these Ishmaelite rulers were not actually sons of a king, so it is better to use a more general term in your translation.
and I will make him into a great nation
Quote: וּנְתַתִּ֖יו לְג֥וֹי גָּדֽוֹל (1)“and I will make him the father/ancestor of a great/large people/ethnic group.” or “and I will make him and his descendants become a great/large people/ethnic group.”
Genesis 17:21
However, my covenant I will establish
Quote: וְאֶת בְּרִיתִ֖י אָקִ֣ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-key-terms
“But I will establish/make my covenant/agreement”. In the Hebrew text, the phrase “my covenant” is put before the verb in order to change the topic to God’s covenant. Consider what is the best way to do that in your language. Also consider again how you translated “covenant” in verses 2, 4, 7, 9-11, 13-14, 19, 21.
with Isaac
Quote: אֶת יִצְחָ֑ק (1)“with your son Isaac,”
whom Sarah will bear for you
Quote: אֲשֶׁר֩ תֵּלֵ֨ד לְךָ֤ שָׂרָה֙ (1)“whom Sarah will give birth to for you” or “Sarah will give birth to him”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here. Also, see how you translated “is bearing … for you” in verse 19.
by this time in the next year
Quote: לַמּוֹעֵ֣ד הַזֶּ֔ה בַּשָּׁנָ֖ה הָאַחֶֽרֶת (1)The Hebrew text is ambiguous here. It could mean: (1) “by/at this time/season next year.” or (2) “at the appointed/set time next year.”
Genesis 17:22
Then he finished speaking with him
Quote: וַיְכַ֖ל לְדַבֵּ֣ר אִתּ֑וֹ (1)“When/After he/God had finished speaking/talking with/to Abraham,” See how you translated “spoke with him” in verse 3.
and God went up from Abraham
Quote: וַיַּ֣עַל אֱלֹהִ֔ים מֵעַ֖ל אַבְרָהָֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“he went up from Abraham/him to heaven.” or “God/he left him and ascended to heaven.” or “God/he left him.” Consider whether to use a noun or a pronoun to refer to God and Abraham at each point in this verse. Do what is clear and natural in your language.
Genesis 17:23
Then Abraham took
Quote: וַיִּקַּ֨ח אַבְרָהָ֜ם (1)“Then Abraham gathered” or “Then Abraham brought together”
Ishmael his son
Quote: אֶת יִשְׁמָעֵ֣אל בְּנ֗וֹ (1)“his son Ishmael”
and all those born in his house
Quote: וְאֵ֨ת כָּל יְלִידֵ֤י בֵיתוֹ֙ (1)“and all the other males who were born in his household”
and everyone bought with his money
Quote: וְאֵת֙ כָּל מִקְנַ֣ת כַּסְפּ֔וֹ (1)“as well as all the/his male slaves/servants whom he had bought,”
every male among the men of Abraham’s house
Quote: כָּל זָכָ֕ר בְּאַנְשֵׁ֖י בֵּ֣ית אַבְרָהָ֑ם (1)“yes, every male in his household,” This phrase refers to everyone mentioned in the first half of this verse, including all males of all ages, not just men.
and he circumcised the flesh of their foreskins on that very day
Quote: וַיָּ֜מָל אֶת בְּשַׂ֣ר עָרְלָתָ֗ם בְּעֶ֨צֶם֙ הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה (1)“and on that same day he cut off their foreskins,” or “Then on that same day he circumcised them,” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
just as God had told him
Quote: כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר דִּבֶּ֥ר אִתּ֖וֹ אֱלֹהִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“just/exactly as God had commanded him to do.” For some languages it may be clearer or more natural to change the order of the clauses in this verse and say, “Then that very/same day, Abraham did just/exactly as God had told/commanded him to do: He took/gathered …” Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 17:24
And Abraham
Quote: וְאַ֨בְרָהָ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-background
“Now Abraham” or “Abraham”. The information in verses 24 and 25 is background information. Many languages have a specific conjunction or transitional phrase that is used to introduce this kind of information. Do what is best in your language.
was} a son of 99 years
Quote: בֶּן תִּשְׁעִ֥ים וָתֵ֖שַׁע שָׁנָ֑ה (1)“was ninety-nine/99 years old”. See how you translated “a son of … years” in verse 1.
when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin
Quote: בְּהִמֹּל֖וֹ בְּשַׂ֥ר עָרְלָתֽוֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
“when his foreskin was cut off,” or “when he was circumcised,” We do not know who circumcised Abraham. Some Jewish scholars think it was Shem and some others think Abraham did it himself. However, the Hebrew text does not say who did it, so in your translation it is best to also not specify who did it. Consider what is the best way to translate this passive clause in your language.
Genesis 17:25
and Ishmael his son
Quote: וְיִשְׁמָעֵ֣אל בְּנ֔וֹ (1)“and his son Ishmael” or “His son Ishmael”. Consider whether or not it is better to begin a new sentence here in your language.
was} a son of thirteen years
Quote: בֶּן שְׁלֹ֥שׁ עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה שָׁנָ֑ה (1)“was thirteen/13 years old”
when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin
Quote: בְּהִ֨מֹּל֔וֹ אֵ֖ת בְּשַׂ֥ר עָרְלָתֽוֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
“when his foreskin was cut off.” or “when he was circumcised.” or “when he/Abraham circumcised him.” See how you translated this clause in verse 24.
Genesis 17:26
On that very day
Quote: בְּעֶ֨צֶם֙ הַיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה (1)“So it was, on that very/same day”. Verses 26 and 27 repeat what happened in verse 23 to emphasize what happened. Make sure in your translation that it does not sound like Abraham and Ishmael were circumcised twice. See how you translated “on that very/same day” in verse 23.
Abraham was circumcised, and Ishmael his son
Quote: נִמּ֖וֹל אַבְרָהָ֑ם וְיִשְׁמָעֵ֖אל בְּנֽוֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
“both Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised.” or “Abraham was circumcised, and he circumcised his son Ishmael.” Abraham is the one who circumcised his son Ishmael (verse 23). See how you translated “he was circumcised” in verse 24.
Genesis 17:27
And all the males of
Quote: וְכָל אַנְשֵׁ֤י (1)“And all the other males in/from his/Abraham’s household,” or “All the males in/from his/Abraham’s household,”
the one born in his house
Quote: יְלִ֣יד בָּ֔יִת (1)“including those who had been born in his household”. See how you translated this phrase in verses 12 and 23.
and the one bought with money
Quote: וּמִקְנַת־כֶּ֖סֶף (1)“as well as those whom he had bought as slaves/servants”. See how you translated a similar clause in verses 12 and 23.
from the son of a foreigner
Quote: מֵאֵ֣ת בֶּן נֵכָ֑ר (1)“from foreigners,” See how you translated this phrase in verse 12.
were circumcised with him
Quote: נִמֹּ֖לוּ אִתּֽוֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
“were also circumcised.” For some languages it may be better to move this phrase earlier in this verse and say, “And all the other males in his/Abraham’s household were also circumcised, including those who had been born …” Do what is best in your language. Also, consider again how you translated “circumcised” in verses 10-14, 23-27.
Genesis 18
Genesis 18:1
Then Yahweh appeared to him
Quote: וַיֵּרָ֤א אֵלָיו֙ יְהוָ֔ה (1)“Then one day Yahweh appeared/came again to him/Abraham” or “One day Yahweh visited Abraham again”. See how you translated “appeared” in Gen 12:7 and 17:1. Also, consider whether it is better to refer to Abraham here with a pronoun or with his name in your language.
by the terebinth trees of Mamre
Quote: בְּאֵלֹנֵ֖י מַמְרֵ֑א (1)“at/near Mamre’s terebinth/oak trees,” or “beside the terebinth/oak trees on Mamre’s land,” See how you translated this phrase in Gen 13:18, 14:13, and a similar phrase in Gen 12:6.
and he was sitting
Quote: וְה֛וּא יֹשֵׁ֥ב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns
“while/as Abraham was sitting”
at} the opening of the tent
Quote: פֶּֽתַח הָאֹ֖הֶל (1)“at/in the entrance/doorway of his tent” or “by the front of his tent”. The entrance to the tent was an opening that could be closed by a large piece of cloth or animal skin. It did not have a solid wood door like a house has. See how you translated “tent” in Gen 4:20.
in the heat of the day
Quote: כְּחֹ֥ם הַיּֽוֹם (1)“during the hot/hottest time/part of the day.”
Genesis 18:2
And he lifted his eyes and looked
Quote: וַיִּשָּׂ֤א עֵינָיו֙ וַיַּ֔רְא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“He/Abraham looked up/around”. See how you translate this phrase in Gen 22:13.
and behold, three men were standing
Quote: וְהִנֵּה֙ שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה אֲנָשִׁ֔ים נִצָּבִ֖ים (1)“and saw/noticed that there were three men standing” or “and was surprised to see three men standing”
nearby him
Quote: עָלָ֑יו (1)“a short distance away.” or “not too far away from him.” Translate this phrase in a way that fits with the fact that the men were far enough away from Abraham that he could run over to them (as he did in the next sentence).
And {when} he saw {them
Quote: וַיַּ֗רְא (1)“When he saw them,” or “As soon as he saw them,”
then he ran from the entrance of the tent
Quote: וַיָּ֤רָץ & מִפֶּ֣תַח הָאֹ֔הֶל (1)“he got/jumped up from where he was and ran/hurried” or “he jumped/got up and ran/hurried to them”
to meet them
Quote: לִקְרָאתָם֙ (1)“to greet/welcome them.”
Then he bowed to the ground
Quote: וַיִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ אָֽרְצָה (1)“Then he bowed low before them with his face/forehead to the ground to show respect,” or “Then he prostrated himself on the ground in front of them to show respect,” Compare how you translated a phrase that has a similar meaning (“fell on his face”) in Gen 17:3, 17.
Genesis 18:3
and he said
Quote: וַיֹּאמַ֑ר (1)“and said to them,”
My lords
Quote: אֲדֹנָ֗י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-honorifics
“My masters,” or “Sirs/Gentlemen,” Abraham uses “lords” here as a polite address to the three men. The Hebrew word “lord” can also be a reference to God, but notice that at this point Abraham probably thought he was talking to men or angels. It wasn’t until later that he realized that one of them was Yahweh (verse 14).
if I have found favor in your eyes
Quote: אִם נָ֨א מָצָ֤אתִי חֵן֙ בְּעֵינֶ֔יךָ (1)“if you are pleased/satisfied with me,” or “if you consider me worthy to be your host,” or “if you would favor/honor me with your presence,” The pronoun “your” is singular here in the Hebrew text, and also in the next clause. It could be that Abraham is addressing each of the three men simultaneously, or that he is addressing their leader or spokesman.
please do not pass by your servant
Quote: אַל נָ֥א תַעֲבֹ֖ר מֵעַ֥ל עַבְדֶּֽךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
“please do not leave here without letting me serve you as my guests.” or “please stay here for a while as my guests.” Abraham refers to himself as a servant here in order to show respect to his guests.
Genesis 18:4
Please let a little water be brought
Quote: יֻקַּֽח נָ֣א מְעַט מַ֔יִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
“Please let me bring you some water,” or “Let my servants bring you some water,” Saying “a little” was a polite way of showing generosity. Make sure your translation does not sound here like Abraham was only offering the men a tiny bit of water; he or his servants were going to bring them enough water to wash their feet.
Then you can wash your feet
Quote: וְרַחֲצ֖וּ רַגְלֵיכֶ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular
“That way you all can wash the dust off your feet”. People wore sandals and their feet would get dusty when they traveled. So it was customary to offer guests water to wash the dust off their feet. Consider whether or not it is better to begin a new sentence here in your language. Also, notice that the pronouns “you” and “your” are plural here in the Hebrew text.
and rest yourselves
Quote: וְהִֽשָּׁעֲנ֖וּ (1)“and then rest/relax here”
under the tree
Quote: תַּ֥חַת הָעֵֽץ (1)“under the shade of this tree.”
Genesis 18:5
And I will bring
Quote: וְאֶקְחָ֨ה (1)“I will also bring/get you” or “Let me also bring/get you”
a morsel of
Quote: פַת (1)“a little bit of” or “some”. Saying “a morsel” was a polite way of showing generosity. Make sure your translation does not sound here like Abraham was only offering the men a tiny bit of bread; he was going to give them plenty of food to eat.
bread
Quote: לֶ֜חֶם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“bread/food for you to eat.” Since bread was a common staple of their diet, it is often used in the Bible to refer to food in general.
so that you can refresh your hearts
Quote: וְסַעֲד֤וּ לִבְּכֶם֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“Then you can be refreshed/strengthened” or “That way you can regain your strength”. Notice that the pronouns “you” and “your” are plural in this quote in the Hebrew text and refer to Abraham’s three guests.
before you go away
Quote: אַחַ֣ר תַּעֲבֹ֔רוּ (1)“and then continue on your way,” or “before you continue traveling,”
since you have come to your servant
Quote: כִּֽי־עַל־כֵּ֥ן עֲבַרְתֶּ֖ם עַֽל עַבְדְּכֶ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“now that you have come to me.” or “since you are here with me.” For some languages it may be more natural to put this clause at the beginning of this verse and say, “Since you are here with me, let me also bring some food …” Do what is best in your language.
And they said
Quote: וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“Then/So they said to him,” or “The men replied to him,”
[GL Quote Not Found!]
Quote: כֵּ֥ן (2)“Okay,” or “Very well,” or “That is good/fine,” The word used here in the Hebrew text shows agreement or acceptance. Do what is natural in your language.
do as you have said
Quote: תַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבַּֽרְתָּ (1)“do what you have proposed/suggested.”
Genesis 18:6
Then Abraham hurried
Quote: וַיְמַהֵ֧ר אַבְרָהָ֛ם (1)“So Abraham quickly went”
into the tent to Sarah
Quote: הָאֹ֖הֱלָה אֶל שָׂרָ֑ה (1)“to Sarah inside the/their tent”
and said
Quote: וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (1)“and said to her,” or “and told her,”
Hurry! {Prepare
Quote: מַהֲרִ֞י (1)“Quickly get/use” or “Quickly prepare”
three seahs of
Quote: שְׁלֹ֤שׁ סְאִים֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
“three large measures/scoops/batches”. It is not certain how much “three seahs” was, but it is thought that it was more than 20 quarts/liters. It was enough flour to make bread for many people, just as the calf (verse 7) provided enough meat for many people and showed generous hospitality. Besides Abraham’s guests, others in his household may have also joined in eating the feast.
fine flour
Quote: קֶ֣מַח סֹ֔לֶת (1)“of good/high quality flour.” or “of the/our best flour.”
Knead {it} and make loaves
Quote: ל֖וּשִׁי וַעֲשִׂ֥י עֻגֽוֹת (1)“Knead the dough and make it into loaves/bread.” or “and bake some loaves of flat bread.” or “and bake/make some bread.” The Hebrew word for “loaves” here is often translated “cakes”, which probably refers to their flat, round shape (similar to biscuits). However, make sure your translation of this word does not sound like a dessert, because this bread was not sweet. Also, consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
Genesis 18:7
Then Abraham ran to the herd
Quote: וְאֶל־הַבָּקָ֖ר רָ֣ץ אַבְרָהָ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns
“Then Abraham/he hurriedly left the tent and went to his herd of cattle” or “Next Abraham/he quickly went/hurried outside to his herd of cattle” or “Then he ran outside to his herd of cattle”
and selected
Quote: וַיִּקַּ֨ח (1)“and chose” or “and picked out”
a tender and choice calf
Quote: בֶּן בָּקָ֜ר רַ֤ךְ וָטוֹב֙ (1)“one of his best/choice calves that would be good/tasty to eat.”
Then he gave it
Quote: וַיִּתֵּ֣ן (1)“Then he took/brought the calf” or “Then he turned it over”. The word “gave” means Abram brought the calf to his servant and put him in charge of preparing its meat for a meal. Make sure your translation does not sound like the calf was a gift.
to a servant
Quote: אֶל הַנַּ֔עַר (1)“to one of his servants”
and he hurried to prepare it
Quote: וַיְמַהֵ֖ר לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת אֹתֽוֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“and the/his servant quickly prepared it.” or “who quickly slaughtered/butchered it and cooked/roasted it.” Make sure it is clear in your translation that this clause refers to the servant, not Abraham.
Genesis 18:8
Then he took
Quote: וַיִּקַּ֨ח (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“Then he/Abraham brought/got”. Make sure that your translation of this phrase refers to Abraham, not his servant.
curds
Quote: חֶמְאָ֜ה (1)“some curds/yogurt/cheese”. This term refers to churned, fermented milk that has curdled.
and milk
Quote: וְחָלָ֗ב (1)“along with milk” or “as well as milk”
and the calf
Quote: וּבֶן הַבָּקָר֙ (1)“and the meat from the calf” or “and the meat”
that he had prepared
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֔ה (1)“that he had his servant prepare,” or “that the/his servant had prepared/cooked/roasted,”
and he set it before them
Quote: וַיִּתֵּ֖ן לִפְנֵיהֶ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“and he served all of it/that to the three men to eat.” or “and he set/put it all before his three guests to eat.” Since verse 2 was the last time the three men were mentioned, it may be clearer and more natural to make them explicit here. Do what is best in your language.
Then he stood by them
Quote: וְהֽוּא עֹמֵ֧ד עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם (1)“Then he stood nearby them” or “Then he stood near/nearby”
under the tree
Quote: תַּ֥חַת הָעֵ֖ץ (1)“where they were sitting under the tree”
and they ate
Quote: וַיֹּאכֵֽלוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“and waited on them while they ate.” or “and served them while they ate.” As the host, Abraham stood nearby his guests in order to wait on them and make sure they had everything that they needed.
Genesis 18:9
Then they said to him
Quote: וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ אֵׄלָׄ֔יׄוׄ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“Then one of the men asked him/Abraham,” The Hebrew text uses a plural pronoun here (“they”) to refer to one of the three men who spoke to Abraham on behalf of them all (See verse 10). Many languages can use “they” or “the men” in the same way. Make sure your translation of this quote margin does not sound like all three of the men spoke at the same time.
Where {is} Sarah your wife
Quote: אַיֵּ֖ה שָׂרָ֣ה אִשְׁתֶּ֑ךָ (1)“Where is your wife Sarah?”
And he said
Quote: וַיֹּ֖אמֶר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“He/Abraham answered them/him,” Make sure it is clear in your translation that Abraham is the one speaking here.
Behold, in the tent
Quote: הִנֵּ֥ה בָאֹֽהֶל (1)“She is there in/inside the tent.”
Genesis 18:10
Then he said
Quote: וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (1)“Then the/that man”. This phrase refers to the man in verse 9 who spoke on behalf of himself and the other two men. We find out in verse 13 that the man was actually Yahweh. However, at this point Abraham and Sarah probably did not yet know who he was, so it is better to not specify who he was here, in order to keep that suspense in your translation.
Then he said
Quote: וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“said/responded to him/Abraham,” or “spoke again to Abraham,”
I will surely return
Quote: שׁ֣וֹב אָשׁ֤וּב (1)“I will certainly/definitely come back”
to you
Quote: אֵלֶ֨יךָ֙ (1)“to you here” or “here to visit you”
at the time of life
Quote: כָּעֵ֣ת חַיָּ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“at/about this time/season next year,” or “next year at/around this time/season,” For some languages it may be more natural to move this time phrase to the beginning of this quote and say, “Next year at this time I will surely/definitely return …” Do what is best in your language.
and behold
Quote: וְהִנֵּה (1)“and when I do,” or “When I do,” or “At that time,” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
Sarah your wife will have a son
Quote: בֵ֖ן לְשָׂרָ֣ה אִשְׁתֶּ֑ךָ (1)“your wife Sarah will have a baby son/boy with her.” or “your wife Sarah will already have a baby son/boy.” This means that Sarah would have a son with her when Yahweh returns. It does not mean that she would give birth at that time.
And Sarah was listening
Quote: וְשָׂרָ֥ה שֹׁמַ֛עַת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-background
“Now Sarah was listening/eavesdropping” or “Sarah was listening/eavesdropping”. This sentence gives information about something that was happening while the man was talking. Translate this in a way that makes that clear in your language.
at} the opening of the tent
Quote: פֶּ֥תַח הָאֹ֖הֶל (1)“inside the entrance/doorway of the tent,” See how you translated “the entrance of the tent” in verse 1.
and it {was} behind him
Quote: וְה֥וּא אַחֲרָֽיו (1)“which was right behind”. Notice that the pronoun “it” refers to the entrance to the tent (where Sarah was).
was} behind him
Quote: אַחֲרָֽיו (1)The pronoun “him” is ambiguous here. It can refer to: (1) “the man” or (2) “Abraham”
Genesis 18:11
Now Abraham and Sarah
Quote: וְאַבְרָהָ֤ם וְשָׂרָה֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-background
“Abraham and Sarah/she” or “Sarah/She and Abraham”. This verse gives background information that is important to what happens next. Some languages use a conjunction such as “Now” here to introduce this kind of information, while other languages omit the conjunction, especially if “Now” is used to begin the last sentence in verse 10. Do what is best in your language.
were} old, advanced in days
Quote: זְקֵנִ֔ים בָּאִ֖ים בַּיָּמִ֑ים (1)“were already very/quite old/aged” or “were very elderly”
the way of women had ceased to be with Sarah
Quote: חָדַל֙ לִהְי֣וֹת לְשָׂרָ֔ה אֹ֖רַח כַּנָּשִֽׁים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
“so that Sarah/she was much older than the normal age for bearing children.” or “so that Sarah/she was far past the age/time that she could bear/have children.” The Hebrew text has an idiom here that is a polite way of saying that Sarah had reached menopause and so was not able to have children. Other languages may have a similar idiom. Make sure your translation of this clause will not offend or embarrass people when it is read aloud in public.
Genesis 18:12
So Sarah laughed within herself
Quote: וַתִּצְחַ֥ק שָׂרָ֖ה בְּקִרְבָּ֣הּ (1)“So Sarah/she laughed to herself in disbelief”. See how you translated “laughed” in Gen 17:17 where Abraham also laughed to himself.
and said
Quote: לֵאמֹ֑ר (1)“and said/thought to herself,” or “and asked herself,”
After I am worn out
Quote: אַחֲרֵ֤י בְלֹתִי֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“Since my body is now worn out,” or “Now that I am too old to conceive,”
will I have pleasure
Quote: הָֽיְתָה לִּ֣י עֶדְנָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
“will I still have/experience this/that pleasure?” or “it doesn’t seem possible that I could still have/experience the pleasure of bearing/having a child!” Sarah uses a rhetorical question to express her strong emotion and disbelief. Consider whether or not it is best to use a rhetorical question here in your language.
And my lord {is} old
Quote: וַֽאדֹנִ֖י זָקֵֽן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“Besides that, my master/husband is also very/too old!” The phrase “my lord” is a title of respect that Sarah uses to refer to Abraham as her husband. Also, for some languages it may be better to change the order of some of the clauses in this verse and say, “I am too old to conceive and my husband is also very/too old! How can I possibly still have/experience the pleasure of having a child?” or “It doesn’t seem possible that I could have/experience the pleasure of having a child now that I am too old to conceive. Besides that, my husband is also very/too old!” Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 18:13
Then Yahweh said to Abraham
Quote: וַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל אַבְרָהָ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“Then/But Yahweh asked Abraham,” The way you translate this quote margin will depend on whether you translate the rest of this verse as a rhetorical question or a statement.
Why {is it} that Sarah laughed, saying
Quote: לָ֣מָּה זֶּה֩ צָחֲקָ֨ה שָׂרָ֜ה לֵאמֹ֗ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
“Why did Sarah laugh to herself and say/think,” or “Sarah should not have laughed and said/thought to herself,” or “Sarah should not have laughed, thinking,” Yahweh uses rhetorical question in verses 13-14 to confront Sarah’s disbelief and to emphasize that nothing is too difficult for God to do. Consider whether or not it is best to use rhetorical questions here in your language.
Will I really bear {a child} when I am old
Quote: הַאַ֥ף אֻמְנָ֛ם אֵלֵ֖ד וַאֲנִ֥י זָקַֽנְתִּי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes
“I am too old to bear/have a child!” or “that she is too old to have a child.” or “that it isn’t possible for her to have a child now that she is old.” Consider whether it is more natural in your language to make this embedded quote a direct or indirect quote. Make sure that your translation of “I” refers here to Sarah, not Yahweh.
Genesis 18:14
Is anything too hard for Yahweh
Quote: הֲיִפָּלֵ֥א מֵיְהוָ֖ה דָּבָ֑ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
“Is there anything that is too hard/difficult for Yahweh to do?” or “Nothing is too hard/difficult for Yahweh to do!”
At the appointed time
Quote: לַמּוֹעֵ֞ד (1)“At the time that I have set/decided,”
I will return to you
Quote: אָשׁ֥וּב אֵלֶ֛יךָ (1)“I will return to you here” or “I will come back here to visit you”. Consider how you translated this in verse 10.
at the time of life
Quote: כָּעֵ֥ת חַיָּ֖ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“Yes, I will come/return at this time next year,” or “—it will be at this time next year—”. See how you translated this idiom in verse 10. Also, for some languages it may be better to put this phrase right after the first time phrase in this verse and say, “At the time that I have decided, which will be this time next year, I will return here to visit you,” Do what is best in your language.
and Sarah will have a son
Quote: וּלְשָׂרָ֥ה בֵֽן (1)“and Sarah will have a baby son/boy with her.” or “and Sarah will already have a baby son/boy.” See how you translated a similar clause in verse 10.
Genesis 18:15
But Sarah denied it
Quote: וַתְּכַחֵ֨שׁ שָׂרָ֧ה (1)“But/Then Sarah lied to him”. The Hebrew verb here includes the meaning of lying or deceiving.
by saying
Quote: לֵאמֹ֛ר (1)“and said,” Notice that the verbs “denied” and “saying” refer to the same event, not two separate events. Make sure that is clear in your translation.
I did not laugh,” because she was afraid
Quote: לֹ֥א צָחַ֖קְתִּי כִּ֣י יָרֵ֑אָה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations
“that she did not laugh. She said that, because she was afraid.” Consider whether it is best in your language to translate this quote as a direct or indirect quote. Also, for some languages it may be clearer or more natural to change the order of the clauses in this sentence and say, “When Sarah heard that, she was afraid, so she lied to him and said, “I did not laugh.” ” Do what is best in your language.
But he said
Quote: וַיֹּ֥אמֶר (1)“But he/Yahweh replied to her,”
No, but you did laugh
Quote: לֹ֖א כִּ֥י צָחָֽקְתְּ (1)“Yes, you did laugh.” or “That is not true. You did laugh.” Consider whether Yahweh’s reply to Sarah here should begin with “No” or “Yes” in your language.
Genesis 18:16
Then the men got up from there
Quote: וַיָּקֻ֤מוּ מִשָּׁם֙ הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֔ים (1)“When/After they had finished eating, the three men got up to leave”
and looked down toward Sodom
Quote: וַיַּשְׁקִ֖פוּ עַל פְּנֵ֣י סְדֹ֑ם (1)“and started walking/heading down toward the city of Sodom.” This phrase reflects the fact that the city of Sodom was lower in elevation than the city of Hebron, where Abraham was living.
And Abraham went with them
Quote: וְאַ֨בְרָהָ֔ם הֹלֵ֥ךְ עִמָּ֖ם (1)“Abraham went/walked with them for a while” or “Abraham escorted/accompanied them for a while”
to send them off
Quote: לְשַׁלְּחָֽם (1)“to see them on their way.” or “as they were leaving.”
Genesis 18:17
And Yahweh said
Quote: וַֽיהֹוָ֖ה אָמָ֑ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“Then Yahweh said/thought to himself,” The context implies that Yahweh said this to himself, without Abraham hearing him. See how you translated a similar phrase in Gen 11:6.
Should I hide from Abraham
Quote: הַֽמְכַסֶּ֤ה אֲנִי֙ מֵֽאַבְרָהָ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
“Should I keep secret from Abraham” or “I should/will not hide/conceal from Abraham” or “I should/will tell Abraham”
what I am doing
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֖ר אֲנִ֥י עֹשֶֽׂה (1)“what I am going/about to do to the city of Sodom”. Whether you end this sentence with a question mark or a period will depend on how you choose to translate this rhetorical question.
Genesis 18:18
And Abraham will surely become
Quote: וְאַ֨בְרָהָ֔ם הָי֧וֹ יִֽהְיֶ֛ה (1)“Abraham/he will surely/definitely be the ancestor of” or “After all, Abraham/he and his descendants will surely/definitely multiply and become”. Some translations begin a new sentence here. Other translations continue the rhetorical question (or statement) in verse 17 to the end of verse 18 and say, “since Abraham/he will …” or “seeing that Abraham/he will …” Do what is best in your language.
a great and mighty nation
Quote: לְג֥וֹי גָּד֖וֹל וְעָצ֑וּם (1)“a great/important and powerful people/ethnic group,” See how you translated “great nation” in Gen 12:2.
in him
Quote: ב֔וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“and through him/them” or “and because of him/them” or “and by means of him/them”. This phrase refers to Abraham and his descendants, including ultimately the Messiah. See the note about this at Gen 12:3.
and … all the nations of the earth will be blessed
Quote: וְנִ֨בְרְכוּ & כֹּ֖ל גּוֹיֵ֥י הָאָֽרֶץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
“all the people/ethnic groups in the world will be blessed by me.” or “I will bless all the people/ethnic groups in the world.” See how you translated a similar clause in Gen 12:3.
Genesis 18:19
For
Quote: כִּ֣י (1)“Indeed” or “In fact,”
I have known him
Quote: יְדַעְתִּ֗יו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“I have chosen him/Abraham”. Consider whether or not your language has an idiom that fits well here.
so that he will command his children
Quote: לְמַעַן֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יְצַוֶּ֜ה אֶת בָּנָ֤יו (1)“so that he will train/guide/instruct his children”
and his house after him
Quote: וְאֶת בֵּיתוֹ֙ אַחֲרָ֔יו (1)“grandchildren, and other descendants who will live after him,” or “and his descendants,”
and they will keep the way of Yahweh
Quote: וְשָֽׁמְרוּ֙ דֶּ֣רֶךְ יְהוָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
“so that they will live the way I want them to live” or “to obey Yahweh’s/my ways/will”. Make sure it is clear in your translation that Yahweh is speaking about himself here.
by doing righteousness and justice
Quote: לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת צְדָקָ֖ה וּמִשְׁפָּ֑ט (1)“and do what is righteous/right and just in my eyes” or “and do what is righteous/right and/including treat people justly/rightly”
so that
Quote: לְמַ֗עַן (1)“Therefore/So”. For some languages it is more natural to begin a new sentence here. Do what is best in your language.
Yahweh will bring about
Quote: הָבִ֤יא יְהוָה֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
“I will do/accomplish”. Make sure it is clear in your translation that Yahweh is referring to himself here.
for Abraham what he has said to him
Quote: עַל אַבְרָהָ֔ם אֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּ֖ר עָלָֽיו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“for Abraham/him what/everything I have promised him that I will do.” The pronoun “he” refers to Yahweh here. Make sure the way you use nouns and pronouns throughout this verse makes it clear in your language who is speaking and who is being referred to.
Genesis 18:20
Then Yahweh said
Quote: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“So Yahweh said to Abraham,” or “Then/So Yahweh informed/told Abraham,”
Because the outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous
Quote: זַעֲקַ֛ת סְדֹ֥ם וַעֲמֹרָ֖ה כִּי רָ֑בָּה וְחַ֨טָּאתָ֔ם כִּ֥י כָבְדָ֖ה מְאֹֽד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“I have heard many serious/terrible complaints/accusations against the people of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah because they are sinning so/very grievously/terribly. So” or “I have heard many people crying out against the people of/in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah because they are committing/doing very evil/terrible sins/things.” Make sure it is clear in your translation that the phrase “Sodom and Gomorrah” refers to the people in those cities. Also, in the Hebrew text this sentence continues into verse 21. Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 18:21
I will go down now
Quote: אֵֽרֲדָה נָּ֣א (1)“I must go down to those cities now” or “I am going to those cities now”. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were both lower in elevation than the city of Hebron. See what you did for a similar case in verse 16.
and see
Quote: וְאֶרְאֶ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goal
“to investigate/determine” or “in order to find out”
whether they have done altogether according to its outcry
Quote: הַכְּצַעֲקָתָ֛הּ & עָשׂ֣וּ ׀ כָּלָ֑ה (1)“whether or not the people in those cities are guilty of everything” or “if the people there have done/committed all the terrible sins”
that has come to me
Quote: הַבָּ֥אָה אֵלַ֖י (1)“that I have heard against/about them.” or “that I have heard they are guilty of.”
And if not
Quote: וְאִם לֹ֖א (1)“If those things are not true,” or “If they are not guilty,”
I will know
Quote: אֵדָֽעָה (1)“then I will know it and I will not punish them.”
Genesis 18:22
Then the men turned away from there
Quote: וַיִּפְנ֤וּ מִשָּׁם֙ הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֔ים (1)“Then the other two men left from there” or “Then the other two men left”
toward Sodom
Quote: סְדֹ֑מָה (1)“and continued walking/heading toward the city of Sodom,” or “and headed/traveled toward the city of Sodom,”
and Abraham was still standing
Quote: וְאַ֨בְרָהָ֔ם עוֹדֶ֥נּוּ עֹמֵ֖ד (1)“and/while Abraham stood/remained there”
before Yahweh
Quote: לִפְנֵ֥י יְהוָֽה (1)“with Yahweh.” or “in Yahweh’s presence.”
Genesis 18:23
Then Abraham approached {him
Quote: וַיִּגַּ֥שׁ אַבְרָהָ֖ם (1)“Then Abraham came/stepped closer to him/Yahweh”
and said
Quote: וַיֹּאמַ֑ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“and said/exclaimed to him,” or “and asked him,”
Will you really sweep away
Quote: הַאַ֣ף תִּסְפֶּ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
“Will/Would you indeed/actually wipe out” or “Surely/Certainly you will/would not destroy”. Abraham uses a rhetorical question here to express his strong feelings and concern about what Yahweh told him. Consider whether or not it is clear and natural to use a rhetorical question here in your language. Make sure it does not sound like Abraham is angry or being rude. See how you translated a similar idiom (“wipe away”) in Gen 6:7.
the righteous
Quote: צַדִּ֖יק (1)“the righteous/godly/good/innocent people in the city” or “righteous people”
with
Quote: עִם (1)“along/together with” or “when you destroy”
the wicked
Quote: רָשָֽׁע (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
“the wicked/evil/guilty people there” or “the people there who are wicked/evil” or “the wicked/evil people there, will/would you?” The way you translate this rhetorical question will determine what punctuation mark you end this sentence with. If you use an exclamation point here, make sure it does not sound like Abraham was angry, shouting, or being disrespectful.
Genesis 18:24
Suppose
Quote: אוּלַ֥י (1)“Suppose that” or “What will you do if”
there are fifty righteous in the city
Quote: יֵ֛שׁ חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים צַדִּיקִ֖ם בְּת֣וֹךְ הָעִ֑יר (1)“there are fifty/50 righteous/good people living in the city of Sodom?” See how you translated “the righteous” in verse 23. Also consider whether to use “fifty” or “50” here in your translation, which depends on how your translation team has decided to represent numbers.
Will you really sweep away
Quote: הַאַ֤ף תִּסְפֶּה֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
“Will/Would you really/actually still destroy” or “Certainly you will/would not still destroy”. See how you translated this phrase in verse 23.
and not spare the place
Quote: וְלֹא תִשָּׂ֣א לַמָּק֔וֹם (1)“the place/city and all its inhabitants rather than spare it/them” or “all the people in the place/city rather than let them all live”
for the sake of
Quote: לְמַ֛עַן (1)“because of” or “in order to save”
the fifty righteous
Quote: חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים הַצַּדִּיקִ֖ם (1)“the fifty/50 righteous/good people”
who {are} in it
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּקִרְבָּֽהּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
“who live in it” or “who live there” or “who live there, will/would you?” The way you translate this rhetorical question will determine what punctuation mark you end this sentence with.
Genesis 18:25
Far be it from you
Quote: חָלִ֨לָה לְּךָ֜ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“Surely/Certainly you would never” or “It seems impossible/inconceivable that you would ever” or “I hope that you would never”. This idiom expresses emphatically that Abraham does not believe Yahweh would do this. Consider whether or not your language has a similar idiom. Make sure that Abraham sounds respectful in your translation.
to do something like that, killing
Quote: מֵעֲשֹׂ֣ת כַּדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֗ה לְהָמִ֤ית (1)“do such a thing as kill”
the righteous
Quote: צַדִּיק֙ (1)“righteous/godly/good/innocent people”. See how you translated this phrase in verse 23.
with
Quote: עִם (1)“along/together with” or “when you destroy”
the wicked
Quote: רָשָׁ֔ע (1)“wicked/evil people,” See how you translated “the wicked” in verse 23.
so that the righteous are like the wicked
Quote: וְהָיָ֥ה כַצַּדִּ֖יק כָּרָשָׁ֑ע (1)“so that righteous/good people are treated/punished by you as if they were wicked/evil!” or “so that you are treating them both the same way!” If exclamation points are used in this chapter, make sure it does not sound like Abraham is angry, shouting, or being disrespectful
Far be it from you
Quote: חָלִ֣לָה לָּ֔ךְ (1)“Surely/Certainly you would never do such a thing!” or “It seems impossible/inconceivable that you would ever do such a thing!” or “I hope that you would never do such a thing!” See how you translated a similar phrase at the beginning of this verse.
Will the one who judges all the earth not do justice
Quote: הֲשֹׁפֵט֙ כָּל הָאָ֔רֶץ לֹ֥א יַעֲשֶׂ֖ה מִשְׁפָּֽט (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
“As the judge of/over everyone on the earth, certainly/surely you will treat people justly/rightly.” or “You are the one who judges all the people on the earth. Certainly/Surely you will do what is just/right.” Consider what is the best way in your language to translate this rhetorical question; make sure that Abraham sounds polite. Also see how you translated “justice” in verse 19.
Genesis 18:26
Then Yahweh said
Quote: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“Then Yahweh answered him/Abraham,” or “Yahweh replied to him,” Make sure that the various quote margins in this long conversation (verses 23-32) are clear and natural in your translation.
If I find
Quote: אִם אֶמְצָ֥א (1)“If there are”
in Sodom fifty righteous in the city
Quote: בִסְדֹ֛ם חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים צַדִּיקִ֖ם בְּת֣וֹךְ הָעִ֑יר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj
“fifty/50 righteous/godly/good/innocent people living in the city of Sodom,”
then I will spare the whole place
Quote: וְנָשָׂ֥אתִי לְכָל הַמָּק֖וֹם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“then I will spare the whole/entire city and everyone who lives there” or “then I will not destroy the city or anyone in it”. Make sure it is clear in your translation that Yahweh is referring here to the city of Sodom as well as the people who live there, not just the city.
for their sake
Quote: בַּעֲבוּרָֽם (1)“because of them.” or “for the sake/benefit of those righteous people.” or “in order to save those righteous/good people.”
Genesis 18:27
Then Abraham spoke up
Quote: וַיַּ֥עַן אַבְרָהָ֖ם (1)“Then Abraham spoke up again” or “Then Abraham responded”
and said
Quote: וַיֹּאמַ֑ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotations
“and said to Yahweh/him,” or “and asked Yahweh/him,”
Behold, please, I have taken it upon myself to speak to
Quote: הִנֵּה נָ֤א הוֹאַ֨לְתִּי֙ לְדַבֵּ֣ר אֶל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“Listen, please, since I have been bold to speak to you,” or “Please excuse me for speaking to you so boldly,” The idiom “taken it upon myself” means that Abraham has decided to do something and is acting boldly. Consider whether or not your language has an idiom that fits well here.
my Lord
Quote: אֲדֹנָ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
“my Master,” or “Lord/Master,” Abraham realizes by now that he is talking to Yahweh, so use a respectful term in your translation that is appropriate for him to use when he refers to Yahweh here and in the rest of this chapter. Also, for some languages it is more natural to put this phrase first in this quote and say, “My Lord/Master, please excuse me for speaking to you so boldly,” Do what is best in your language.
although I
Quote: וְאָנֹכִ֖י (1)“even though” or “in spite of the fact that”
although I {am} dust and ashes
Quote: וְאָנֹכִ֖י עָפָ֥ר וָאֵֽפֶר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
“I am as unimportant/insignificant as dust/dirt and ashes compared to you.” or “I am nothing/unimportant compared to you.” or “I have zero/no status/importance compared to you.” It may be clearer to put this comparison earlier in the sentence and say, “My Lord/Master, I am as unimportant/insignificant as dust/dirt and ashes, so please excuse me …” Do what is best in your language. Also, see how you translated “dust” in Gen 2:7 and 3:19.
Genesis 18:28
Suppose
Quote: א֠וּלַי (1)“But suppose that” or “But what will you do if”. See how you translated this term in verse 24.
the fifty righteous lack five
Quote: יַחְסְר֞וּן חֲמִשִּׁ֤ים הַצַּדִּיקִם֙ חֲמִשָּׁ֔ה (1)“there are five fewer than fifty/50 righteous people living in the city?” or “there are only forty-five/45 righteous people in the city instead of fifty/50?”
Will you destroy the whole city
Quote: הֲתַשְׁחִ֥ית & אֶת כָּל הָעִ֑יר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“Will/Would you still destroy the whole city and everyone in it”. See how you translated “the whole place” in verse 26.
because of five
Quote: בַּחֲמִשָּׁ֖ה (1)“if there are five people too few who are righteous?” or “because the number of righteous people is five persons short/low?”
And he said
Quote: וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“And/Then Yahweh said/replied to him/Abraham,” or “Yahweh answered him/Abraham,” Make sure it is clear in your translation that Yahweh is speaking here, not Abraham.
I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there
Quote: לֹ֣א אַשְׁחִ֔ית אִם אֶמְצָ֣א שָׁ֔ם אַרְבָּעִ֖ים וַחֲמִשָּֽׁה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
“I will not destroy the city if there are forty-five/45 righteous people living there.” or “if I find forty-five/45 righteous people living in the city, I will not destroy it.” Make sure it is clear in your translation what “forty-five/45” refers to.
Genesis 18:29
Then he continued again to speak to him
Quote: וַיֹּ֨סֶף ע֜וֹד לְדַבֵּ֤ר אֵלָיו֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“Then he/Abraham spoke again to him/Yahweh”
and said
Quote: וַיֹּאמַ֔ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“and asked him,”
Suppose
Quote: אוּלַ֛י (1)“Suppose that” or “What will you do if”
forty are found
Quote: יִמָּצְא֥וּן & אַרְבָּעִ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
“only forty/40 righteous people are found by you” or “you find only forty/40 righteous people” or “there are only forty/40 righteous people”. Consider what is the best way to translate this passive clause in your language.
there
Quote: שָׁ֖ם (1)“living there?” or “living in the city? Will you destroy it then?”
And he said
Quote: וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“And/Then Yahweh replied,” or “He/Yahweh answered him/Abraham,”
I will not do it
Quote: לֹ֣א אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֔ה (1)“I will not destroy the city”
for the sake of
Quote: בַּעֲב֖וּר (1)“because of” or “in order to save”
the forty
Quote: הָאַרְבָּעִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
“the forty/40 righteous people.” or “those forty/40 people.”
Genesis 18:30
Then he said
Quote: וַ֠יֹּאמֶר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“Then Abraham asked him/Yahweh,” or “Then Abraham pleaded with him/Yahweh,” Make sure it is clear in your translation that Abraham is speaking here, not Yahweh.
Please do not let my Lord be angry
Quote: אַל נָ֞א יִ֤חַר לַֽאדֹנָי֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
“My Lord/Master, please do not be angry with/at me,” Abraham addresses Yahweh using the third person and the title “Lord” to show him honor and respect. Consider what is the best way to do that in your language.
and let me speak
Quote: וַאֲדַבֵּ֔רָה (1)“but/rather let me say something else:” or “but/rather let me ask you another question:”
Suppose
Quote: אוּלַ֛י (1)“Suppose that” or “What will you do if”
thirty are found
Quote: יִמָּצְא֥וּן & שְׁלֹשִׁ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
“only thirty/30 righteous people are found” or “you find only thirty/30 righteous people” or “there are only 30/thirty righteous people”. If you use the numeral “30” here in your translation, make sure that it will not get confused with the verse number.
there?” … there
Quote: שָׁ֖ם (1)“living there?” or “living in the city?”
And he said
Quote: וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“He/Yahweh replied,” or “He/Yahweh answered him,” Make sure it is clear in your translation that Yahweh is speaking here, not Abraham.
I will not do it if I find thirty there
Quote: לֹ֣א אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֔ה אִם אֶמְצָ֥א שָׁ֖ם שְׁלֹשִֽׁים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
“I will not destroy the city if I find thirty/30 righteous people living there.” or “If I find thirty/30 righteous people living in the city, I will not destroy it.” See how you translated a similar sentence at the end of verse 28.
Genesis 18:31
Then he said
Quote: וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“Then Abraham said to him/Yahweh,” or “Then Abraham asked him/Yahweh,” Make sure it is clear in your translation that Abraham is speaking here, not Yahweh.
Behold, please, I have taken it upon myself to speak to my Lord
Quote: הִנֵּֽה נָ֤א הוֹאַ֨לְתִּי֙ לְדַבֵּ֣ר אֶל אֲדֹנָ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
“Listen, please, since I have been bold to speak to you, my Lord/Master.” or “My Lord/Master, please excuse me for speaking to you so boldly.” See how you translated this clause in verse 27.
Suppose
Quote: אוּלַ֛י (1)“Suppose that” or “What will you do if”
twenty are found
Quote: יִמָּצְא֥וּן & עֶשְׂרִ֑ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
“only twenty/20 righteous people are found by you” or “you find only 20/twenty righteous people” or “there are only twenty/20 righteous people”
there
Quote: שָׁ֖ם (1)“living there?” or “living in the city?”
And he said
Quote: וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“He/Yahweh replied,” or “Then he/Yahweh answered him/Abraham,”
I will not destroy it
Quote: לֹ֣א אַשְׁחִ֔ית (1)“I will not destroy the city”
for the sake of
Quote: בַּעֲב֖וּר (1)“because of” or “in order to save”
the twenty
Quote: הָֽעֶשְׂרִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
“the twenty/20 righteous people.” or “those twenty/20 people.”
Genesis 18:32
Then he said
Quote: וַ֠יֹּאמֶר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“Then/Finally he/Abraham said to him,” or “Then/Finally he/Abraham asked him/Yahweh,”
Please do not let my Lord be angry
Quote: אַל נָ֞א יִ֤חַר לַֽאדֹנָי֙ (1)“My Lord/Master, please do not be angry with/at me,” See how you translated this sentence in verse 30. Consider again how you translated “my Lord” in verses 27, 30-32. Contrast that to verse 3, where Abraham probably used the term before he realized that he was talking to Yahweh.
and let me speak just once more
Quote: וַאֲדַבְּרָ֣ה אַךְ הַפַּ֔עַם (1)“rather, let me say one more thing:” or “and/but let me ask you just one more/last thing/question:”
Suppose
Quote: אוּלַ֛י (1)“Suppose that” or “What will you do if”. Consider again how you translated the term “Suppose” in verses 24 and 28 and how you translated the sentence “Suppose only …righteous people are found there?” in verses 29-32.
ten are found
Quote: יִמָּצְא֥וּן & עֲשָׂרָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
“only ten righteous people are found” or “you find only ten righteous people” or “there are only ten righteous people”. Consider again how you translated “found” and “find” in verses 26, 28-32.
there
Quote: שָׁ֖ם (1)“living there?” or “living in the city? Will you destroy it then?”
And he said
Quote: וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“And/Then Yahweh replied,” or “He/Yahweh answered him,” Consider again how you referred to Yahweh and Abraham in your translation throughout this dialogue (verses 23-32). It is a good idea to read this conversation aloud at a regular speed and listen to make sure that all quote margins are natural and clear in your language.
I will not destroy it
Quote: לֹ֣א אַשְׁחִ֔ית (1)“I will not destroy the city”
for the sake of
Quote: בַּעֲב֖וּר (1)“because of” or “in order to save”. Consider again how you translated this phrase in verses 24, 26, 29, 31, 32.
the ten
Quote: הָעֲשָׂרָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
“the/those ten righteous people.” Consider again whether you used words or numerals for the numbers throughout verses 24-32. Also consider again how you translated “righteous people” and “righteous people” in verses 23-32.
Genesis 18:33
Then Yahweh left as soon as he finished speaking to Abraham
Quote: וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ יְהוָ֔ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר כִּלָּ֔ה לְדַבֵּ֖ר אֶל אַבְרָהָ֑ם (1)“Then Yahweh left Abraham/him as soon as he finished speaking to/with him,” or “When Yahweh had finished talking with Abraham, he left him,”
and Abraham returned to his place
Quote: וְאַבְרָהָ֖ם שָׁ֥ב לִמְקֹמֽוֹ (1)“and Abraham returned/went home.”
Genesis 19
Genesis 19:1
Then the two angels came to Sodom in the evening
Quote: וַ֠יָּבֹאוּ שְׁנֵ֨י הַמַּלְאָכִ֤ים סְדֹ֨מָה֙ בָּעֶ֔רֶב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-key-terms
“That evening Yahweh’s/God’s two angels/messengers arrived at the city of Sodom,” or “Then/Later that evening the two men, who were Yahweh’s/God’s angels/messengers arrived at the city of Sodom,” See how you translated “angel” in Gen 16:7-11.
and Lot was sitting
Quote: וְל֖וֹט יֹשֵׁ֣ב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous
“while Lot was sitting”
at the gate of Sodom
Quote: בְּשַֽׁעַר סְדֹ֑ם (1)“at/by the gate/entrance of the city.” or “at the city gate/entrance.” Cities like Sodom had stone walls built around them, with entrance gates (that were closed at night) to protect the people in the city from enemies.
And Lot saw them, and he got up
Quote: וַיַּרְא לוֹט֙ וַיָּ֣קָם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-youdual
“When Lot saw them, he got/stood up”. Some languages have a special dual pronoun that can be used throughout verses 1-19 to refer to the two angels. Do what is best in your language.
to meet them
Quote: לִקְרָאתָ֔ם (1)“to greet them” or “and greeted them”
and bowed down {with} nose to the ground
Quote: וַיִּשְׁתַּ֥חוּ אַפַּ֖יִם אָֽרְצָה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction
“and then bowed before them with his face/forehead to the ground to show respect.” or “and then kneeled in front of them and bowed/touched his forehead to the ground to show them respect.” See how you translated a similar phrase in Gen 18:2.
Genesis 19:2
Then he said
Quote: וַיֹּ֜אמֶר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“Then he said to them,”
Behold, please, my lords
Quote: הִנֶּ֣ה נָּא אֲדֹנַ֗י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-politeness
“Listen to me please, my lords/masters:” or “Sirs/Gentlemen, please listen to this:” See how you translated “Behold, please” in Gen 18:27. Also see how you translated “my lord” in Gen 18:3. At this point, Lot probably did not know that these were angels, because they looked like men.
Please turn aside to
Quote: ס֣וּרוּ נָ֠א אֶל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-politeness
“Please come to” or “Please stop in at”. Lot is being urgent here (using “please” twice), probably because he knows how dangerous the city is. Translate this quote in a way that communicates this urgency.
the house of your servant and spend the night
Quote: בֵּ֨ית עַבְדְּכֶ֤ם וְלִ֨ינוּ֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
“my house so that I can serve you”. Lot refers to himself as “your servant” here to show respect to the two men and to politely offer to host them as his guests.
and spend the night, and wash your feet
Quote: וְלִ֨ינוּ֙ וְרַחֲצ֣וּ רַגְלֵיכֶ֔ם (1)“and you can lodge for the night there. That way too you can wash the dust off your feet.” or “You can wash the dust off your feet and lodge/stay for the night there.” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here. See how you translated “wash your feet” in Gen 18:4.
Then you can get up early
Quote: וְהִשְׁכַּמְתֶּ֖ם (1)“Then tomorrow morning you can get up early” or “Then early in the morning you can get up”
and go on your way
Quote: וַהֲלַכְתֶּ֣ם לְדַרְכְּכֶ֑ם (1)“and continue on your way.” or “and continue traveling.”
But they said
Quote: וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ (1)“But the two angels replied,” or “The two angels said to him/Lot,”
No, rather
Quote: לֹּ֔א כִּ֥י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-politeness
“No, thank you, rather” or “Thank you, but” or “That is kind of you, but”. The angels’ reply should sound polite and respectful in your translation, not rude or disrespectful. For example, in some cultures it is not polite to say “No” too directly.
we will spend the night in the street
Quote: בָרְח֖וֹב נָלִֽין (1)“we will just stay/sleep in the public/city square tonight.” or “we plan to spend/stay the night in the street/square.” This refers to a public, outdoor place inside the city, perhaps the open place inside the city gate where people would meet.
Genesis 19:3
But he urged them strongly
Quote: וַיִּפְצַר בָּ֣ם מְאֹ֔ד (1)“But he/Lot insisted urgently” or “However he/Lot continued to urge/invite them earnestly” or “However he/Lot continued to urgently invite them”
so that they turned aside with him
Quote: וַיָּסֻ֣רוּ אֵלָ֔יו (1)“until they finally agreed and went with him” or “until he finally convinced them and they went with him”
and entered into his house
Quote: וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ אֶל בֵּית֑וֹ (1)“to his house and entered it.” or “to his house.”
Then he prepared a feast for them
Quote: וַיַּ֤עַשׂ לָהֶם֙ מִשְׁתֶּ֔ה (1)“Then/There he/Lot prepared/made a big/hearty meal for them,” or “Then/There Lot had a big/hearty meal prepared for them,” Lot probably had his wife or servants prepare the meal (as Abraham did in Gen 18:6-7). It is common in the Bible to say that a leader or head of household (as here) did something, when in reality he had it done by someone else who was under his authority.
and he baked unleavened bread
Quote: וּמַצּ֥וֹת אָפָ֖ה (1)“including some bread without yeast/leavening in it,” or “including some flat bread,”
and they ate
Quote: וַיֹּאכֵֽלוּ (1)“and they sat down and ate the meal.”
Genesis 19:4
Before they lay down
Quote: טֶרֶם֮ יִשְׁכָּבוּ֒ (1)“But after the meal, before they could lie down to sleep,” or “After that, before they could go to bed for the night,”
then the men of the city, the men of Sodom
Quote: וְאַנְשֵׁ֨י הָעִ֜יר אַנְשֵׁ֤י סְדֹם֙ (1)“all the men of/in the city of Sodom”
surrounded the house
Quote: נָסַ֣בּוּ עַל הַבַּ֔יִת (1)“surrounded/encircled Lot’s house,” or “crowded around the/Lot’s house,”
from the young and to the old
Quote: מִנַּ֖עַר וְעַד זָקֵ֑ן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism
“from/including the youngest to the oldest,” or “including men of all ages,” This phrase refers to all the men of the city of Sodom, including the young and the old and everyone in between. Consider what is the best way to translate this phrase in your language.
all the people from the edge{s
Quote: כָּל הָעָ֖ם מִקָּצֶֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
“In fact, all the people from every section/part of the city were there.” or “so that people from the entire city were there.” or “In fact, everyone/people from all parts of the city had come there.” This phrase is hyperbole or exaggeration, to emphasize that a very large number of people from the city were there. Consider whether or not your language can do the same thing. Also consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
Genesis 19:5
Then they called
Quote: וַיִּקְרְא֤וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns
“Then the crowd/mob of men/people called out to Lot/him,” or “Then the crowd/mob of men/people shouted to Lot/him,” Consider what is the best way to refer to these people at this point in the paragraph in your translation.
Where {are} the men
Quote: אַיֵּ֧ה הָאֲנָשִׁ֛ים (1)“Where are the two men”
who came to you tonight
Quote: אֲשֶׁר בָּ֥אוּ אֵלֶ֖יךָ הַלָּ֑יְלָה (1)“who came to lodge with you tonight?” or “who came to your house tonight?”
Bring them out to us
Quote: הוֹצִיאֵ֣ם אֵלֵ֔ינוּ (1)“Bring them to us out here” or “Bring them outside to us” or “We demand that you bring them out here to us”
so that we can know them
Quote: וְנֵדְעָ֖ה אֹתָֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
“so that we can have relations/sex with them!” In Hebrew the verb “know” is often used as an idiom that means “have sex with” (as in Gen 4:1, 25). Here it refers to homosexual activities and raping the two men. Translate this in a way that is not too offensive to be read aloud in public.
Genesis 19:6
Then Lot went out to them at the entrance
Quote: וַיֵּצֵ֧א אֲלֵהֶ֛ם ל֖וֹט הַפֶּ֑תְחָה (1)“But Lot went outside near the entrance/doorway to talk to them,”
and shut the door behind him
Quote: וְהַדֶּ֖לֶת סָגַ֥ר אַחֲרָֽיו (1)“and he shut/closed the door of the house behind him,”
Genesis 19:7
and he said
Quote: וַיֹּאמַ֑ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“Then he said to them,” or “and/Then he pleaded with them,” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
Please, my brothers
Quote: נָ֥א אַחַ֖י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-politeness
“No, please, my brothers/friends,” or “I beg you, my brothers/friends,” or “No, my brothers/friends, please”. The phrase “my brothers” is used here as a polite address that implies a close relationship. Lot uses this idiom to try to get the men of Sodom to not harm his guests. The men were not his actual brothers. For some languages it is more natural to put “my brothers” (or “my friends”) first in this quote. Do what is best in your language.
do not do evil
Quote: אַל & תָּרֵֽעוּ (1)“do not do this evil!” or “do not do such an evil/wicked thing!”
Genesis 19:8
Behold, please
Quote: הִנֵּה נָ֨א (1)“Listen to me/this please:” or “Please listen to me/this:” See how you translated this phrase in verse 2.
I have two daughters who
Quote: לִ֜י שְׁתֵּ֣י בָנ֗וֹת אֲשֶׁ֤ר (1)“My two daughters”
have not known a man
Quote: לֹֽא יָדְעוּ֙ אִ֔ישׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
“have not/never had marital/sexual relations with a man.” or “have never slept with a man.” or “are virgins.” See how you translated the idiom “knew” in verse 5 and Gen 4:1, though it may need to be translated in different ways depending on the context.
Please let me bring them out to you, and you do to them
Quote: אוֹצִֽיאָה נָּ֤א אֶתְהֶן֙ אֲלֵיכֶ֔ם וַעֲשׂ֣וּ לָהֶ֔ן (1)“Allow me to bring them out to you instead so that you may/can do to/with them” or “If you will let me bring them out here to you, then you may/can do to/with them”
as {is} good in your eyes
Quote: כַּטּ֖וֹב בְּעֵינֵיכֶ֑ם (1)“whatever you want/like.” or “whatever pleases you.” See how you translated a similar clause in Gen 16:6.
But do not do anything to these men
Quote: רַ֠ק לָֽאֲנָשִׁ֤ים הָאֵל֙ אַל־תַּעֲשׂ֣וּ דָבָ֔ר (1)“But you must not do anything to harm these men,” or “But do not violate/harm these men,”
because for that {reason} they have come under the shadow of my rafters
Quote: כִּֽי עַל כֵּ֥ן בָּ֖אוּ בְּצֵ֥ל קֹרָתִֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“because they have come under the shelter/protection of my roof/house.” or “because they are my guests and I am responsible for their well-being/safety.”
Genesis 19:9
But they said
Quote: וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“But the men of Sodom responded to him/Lot,” or “But the men of Sodom shouted at him/Lot,”
Get back
Quote: גֶּשׁ הָ֗לְאָה (1)“Stand aside!” or “Get out of the/our way!”
Then they said
Quote: וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ (1)“Then they said/exclaimed/complained to each other,”
This one came
Quote: הָאֶחָ֤ד בָּֽא (1)“This guy came here”. The phrase “this one/guy” shows disdain and disrespect for Lot. If possible, use a similar term in your language here.
to sojourn
Quote: לָגוּר֙ (1)“to live temporarily,” or “as a foreigner/outsider,” See how you translated “sojourn” in Gen 12:10. Here it has the negative meaning that Lot does not belong there.
and now he is judging {us
Quote: וַיִּשְׁפֹּ֣ט שָׁפ֔וֹט עַתָּ֕ה (1)“and now he wants/dares to judge/condemn us!” or “and now he thinks that he can judge us!”
We will treat you worse than them
Quote: נָרַ֥ע לְךָ֖ מֵהֶ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“Then they shouted at him/Lot, “Now we will treat you worse than we treat your two guests!” ” or “Then they shouted at him/Lot, “We will do worse things to you than we do to your two guests!” ” Here the crowd switches from talking to each other to shouting at Lot. Decide whether or not that needs to be explicit in your translation.
Then they pressed hard against the man Lot
Quote: וַיִּפְצְר֨וּ בָאִ֤ישׁ בְּלוֹט֙ מְאֹ֔ד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“Then they started shoving/pushing hard against Lot/him”
and came near to break down the door
Quote: וַֽיִּגְּשׁ֖וּ לִשְׁבֹּ֥ר הַדָּֽלֶת (1)“and moved/surged forward to break down/through the door of his house.”
Genesis 19:10
But the men reached out their hand{s
Quote: וַיִּשְׁלְח֤וּ הָֽאֲנָשִׁים֙ אֶת־יָדָ֔ם (1)“But the two men inside who were Lot’s guests opened the door, reached outside” or “But Lot’s two guests opened the door, reached outside”
and brought Lot
Quote: וַיָּבִ֧יאוּ אֶת ל֛וֹט (1)“and quickly brought/pulled Lot/him”
into the house to them
Quote: אֲלֵיהֶ֖ם הַבָּ֑יְתָה (1)“back into the house with them”
and shut the door
Quote: וְאֶת הַדֶּ֖לֶת סָגָֽרוּ (1)“and closed the door.” or “and slammed the door shut.”
Genesis 19:11
Then they struck the men who {were at} the entrance of the house with blindness
Quote: וְֽאֶת־הָאֲנָשִׁ֞ים אֲשֶׁר פֶּ֣תַח הַבַּ֗יִת הִכּוּ֙ בַּסַּנְוֵרִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“Then those two men/guests who were angels caused the men of Sodom who were at/outside the door of the house to be blind,”
from the small and to the great
Quote: מִקָּטֹ֖ן וְעַד גָּד֑וֹל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism
“from/including the youngest to the oldest,” or “including every last one of them,” This phrase refers to all the men who were outside the house, including the young and the old and everyone in between. See how you translated a similar phrase in verse 4.
so that they became weary {trying} to find the door
Quote: וַיִּלְא֖וּ לִמְצֹ֥א הַפָּֽתַח (1)“so that they wearied/exhausted themselves groping/fumbling around trying to find the door.” or “so that they could not see the door and gave up trying to find it.”
Genesis 19:12
Then the men said to Lot
Quote: וַיֹּאמְר֨וּ הָאֲנָשִׁ֜ים אֶל־ל֗וֹט (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“Then the two men/angels asked Lot,”
Who else {belongs} to you here
Quote: עֹ֚ד מִֽי לְךָ֣ פֹ֔ה (1)“What other family members do you have here,” or “Do you have any other relatives here in the/this city,”
a son-in-law or your sons or your daughters
Quote: חָתָן֙ וּבָנֶ֣יךָ וּבְנֹתֶ֔יךָ (1)“such as sons-in-law or sons or daughters” or “If you have sons-in-law, sons, daughters,” Consider whether it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here or later in this verse.
or anyone {else} who {belongs} to you
Quote: וְכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר לְךָ֖ (1)“or any other relatives” or “or any other members of your family”
in the city
Quote: בָּעִ֑יר (1)“in this city,” or “in Sodom?” or “here,” The punctuation you use here depends on whether or not you began a new sentence earlier in this quote.
Take {them} out
Quote: הוֹצֵ֖א (1)“then quickly take/get them out/away”. Whether or not you begin a new sentence here will depend on whether you began a new sentence earlier in this quote.
from this place
Quote: מִן הַמָּקֽוֹם (1)“from this city,” or “from here,” Make sure that the way you translate this phrase fits well with the ways that you refer to the city of Sodom earlier in this verse and in the next verse. It may help to read the entire verse aloud to make sure everything is clear and sounds natural in your language.
Genesis 19:13
because we are destroying
Quote: כִּֽי מַשְׁחִתִ֣ים אֲנַ֔חְנוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive
“because we are about/going to destroy”. The pronoun “we” refers here only to the two angels, not Lot or anyone else.
this place
Quote: אֶת הַמָּק֖וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה (1)“this city.” or “it.” The way you translate this phrase will depend on how you translated the end of verse 12.
For their outcry before Yahweh {is} great
Quote: כִּֽי גָֽדְלָ֤ה צַעֲקָתָם֙ אֶת פְּנֵ֣י יְהוָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“Yahweh has heard that the people of this city are guilty of serious/terrible sins,” or “Yahweh has heard serious/terrible accusations against the people who live here”. See how you translated “outcry” in Gen 18:20-21. It may be necessary to translate this term in different ways, depending on the context. Also, make sure that your translation of “their outcry” refers to the people of Sodom, not Lot’s relatives who were the last ones referred to (verse 12).
so Yahweh has sent us
Quote: וַיְשַׁלְּחֵ֥נוּ יְהוָ֖ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns
“so he has sent/ordered/commissioned us”
to destroy it
Quote: לְשַׁחֲתָֽהּ (1)“to destroy the city.” or “to destroy them and their city.” Make sure the way you translate this phrase fits with how you translated the first part of this sentence.
Genesis 19:14
Then Lot went out and spoke to
Quote: וַיֵּצֵ֨א ל֜וֹט וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר אֶל (1)“Then/So Lot went and spoke to/with” or “Then/So Lot went to speak to/with” or “Then/So went to”
his sons-in-law
Quote: חֲתָנָ֣יו (1)“his future sons-in-law” or “his daughters’ fiancés”
who were to take his daughters
Quote: לֹקְחֵ֣י בְנֹתָ֗יו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“who were going/pledged to marry his daughters” or “who were engaged to his daughters”. The word “take” is used here as an idiom that means to marry. Consider whether or not it is best in your language to translate this as an idiom in your language.
and he said
Quote: וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ (1)“and he said to them,” or “and he warned/urged them,” or “He told them,” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
Get up
Quote: ק֤וּמוּ (1)“Hurry up and” or “Come on! We must”. This phrase communicates urgency here.
get out of
Quote: צְּאוּ֙ מִן (1)“get away from” or “flee from” or “leave”
this place
Quote: הַמָּק֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה (1)“this city,”
because Yahweh is destroying
Quote: כִּֽי מַשְׁחִ֥ית יְהוָ֖ה (1)“because Yahweh is about/going to destroy”. See how you translated “are destroying” in verse 13.
the city
Quote: אֶת הָעִ֑יר (1)“the place!” or “it!”
But it seemed like he was joking in the eyes of his sons-in-law
Quote: וַיְהִ֥י כִמְצַחֵ֖ק בְּעֵינֵ֥י חֲתָנָֽיו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
“But his sons-in-law thought that he was joking, so they ignored him.” or “But his sons-in-law did not listen to him, because they thought he was joking.”
Genesis 19:15
Then when the dawn came
Quote: וּכְמוֹ֙ הַשַּׁ֣חַר עָלָ֔ה (1)“Very early the next morning,” Dawn is the time before sunrise when it starts getting light.
the angels urged Lot, saying
Quote: וַיָּאִ֥יצוּ הַמַּלְאָכִ֖ים בְּל֣וֹט לֵאמֹ֑ר (1)“the two angels/messengers urged Lot,” or “the/Yahweh’s two angels/messengers urgently told Lot,” See how you translated “angels” in verse 1.
Get up
Quote: קוּם֩ (1)“Hurry up and” or “You must quickly”
take your wife and your two daughters who are here
Quote: קַ֨ח אֶֽת אִשְׁתְּךָ֜ וְאֶת שְׁתֵּ֤י בְנֹתֶ֨יךָ֙ הַנִּמְצָאֹ֔ת (1)“take/get your wife and two daughters away from the city” or “leave the city with your wife and two daughters”
so that you are not swept away
Quote: פֶּן תִּסָּפֶ֖ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-passives
“so that you will not be destroyed” or “or else you will be destroyed” or “so that you will not die”. Consider what is the best way to translate this passive clause in your language. Also, see how you translated the idiom “sweep away” in Gen 18:23-24.
in the punishment of the city
Quote: בַּעֲוֺ֥ן הָעִֽיר (1)“when the people of/in the city are punished by God.” or “when God/Yahweh punishes the people of/in the city.”
Genesis 19:16
But he lingered
Quote: וַֽיִּתְמַהְמָ֓הּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns
“But Lot did not leave immediately,” or “Lot hesitated/delayed,” Consider what is the best way to refer to Lot at this point in the paragraph in your language.
so the men grabbed his hand and the hand of his wife and the hand{s} of his two daughters
Quote: וַיַּחֲזִ֨קוּ הָאֲנָשִׁ֜ים בְּיָד֣וֹ וּבְיַד־אִשְׁתּ֗וֹ וּבְיַד֙ שְׁתֵּ֣י בְנֹתָ֔יו (1)“so the two men/angels took hold of his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters,” or “so they took him and his wife and two daughters by the hand,”
because of Yahweh’s mercy for him
Quote: בְּחֶמְלַ֥ת יְהוָ֖ה עָלָ֑יו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“because Yahweh was being merciful/kind to him/them,” For some languages it may be better to put this phrase last in verse 16 so that it does not interrupt the flow of the sentence. Or it may be better to put this phrase earlier in the sentence and say, “Lot hesitated, but Yahweh was being merciful/kind to him, so the two men/angels took hold of Lot’s hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and took/led them out of the city.” Do what is best in your language.
and brought him out and set him
Quote: וַיֹּצִאֻ֥הוּ וַיַּנִּחֻ֖הוּ (1)“and took/led him/them safely”
outside the city
Quote: מִח֥וּץ לָעִֽיר (1)“out of the city.”
Genesis 19:17
And it happened when they had brought them out to the outside
Quote: וַיְהִי֩ כְהוֹצִיאָ֨ם אֹתָ֜ם הַח֗וּצָה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-go
“As soon as the angels had brought/taken/led them outside the city,” See how you translated “brought” in verse 16.
then he said
Quote: וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“one of them said to Lot/them,” or “one of the angels said to Lot/them,”
Flee for your life
Quote: הִמָּלֵ֣ט עַל נַפְשֶׁ֔ךָ (1)“Run for your lives!” or “Flee/Run to save your lives!” or “Run away from here as fast as you can!”
Do not look behind you
Quote: אַל תַּבִּ֣יט אַחֲרֶ֔יךָ (1)“Do not look behind you at Sodom,” or “Do not look back at the city,”
and do not stop anywhere in the plain
Quote: וְאַֽל תַּעֲמֹ֖ד בְּכָל הַכִּכָּ֑ר (1)“and do not stop/delay anywhere in the plain/valley!” or “and do not stop/delay in the plain/valley for any reason!” This plain or valley was a wide, flat area between mountains. See how you translated “plain/valley” in Gen 13:10-12.
Escape
Quote: הִמָּלֵ֖ט (1)“Flee/Hurry” or “Go quickly” or “Run away”
to the mountain{s
Quote: הָהָ֥רָה (1)The Hebrew text is ambiguous here. It could mean: (1) “to the mountains/hills” or “to the hill country” or “to the/that mountain range” or (2) “to the/that mountain”. This phrase is ambiguous because often the Hebrew text uses a singular form to refer to something that is plural.
so that you are not swept away
Quote: פֶּן תִּסָּפֶֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
“so that you will not be destroyed!” or “so that you will not die!” or “or else you will die!” See how you translated this clause in verse 15.
Genesis 19:18
Then Lot said to them
Quote: וַיֹּ֥אמֶר ל֖וֹט אֲלֵהֶ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast
“But Lot replied to them,” or “But Lot pleaded with them,” Some languages have a special dual pronoun for “them” that fits well here. Do what is best in your language.
Please, no, my lords
Quote: אַל נָ֖א אֲדֹנָֽי (1)“Please, my lords/masters, do not make us go that far!” or “I beg you, sirs, do not make us do that!” See how you translated “my lords/masters” in verse 2.
Genesis 19:19
Behold, please
Quote: הִנֵּה נָ֠א (1)“Listen to me/this please:” or “Please listen to me/this:”
Your servant has found favor in your eyes
Quote: מָצָ֨א עַבְדְּךָ֣ חֵן֮ בְּעֵינֶיךָ֒ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
“I, your servant, have been treated well/kindly by you,” or “You have treated me well/kindly even though I am unimportant,” The phrase “your servant” does not mean that Lot is actually a servant for the angels, but rather, it is a humble way for Lot to refer to himself and show respect to them. See how you translated that phrase in verse 2. Also see how you translated the idiom “found favor in … eyes” in Gen 6:8 and 18:3.
and you have magnified your mercy that you have shown to me
Quote: וַתַּגְדֵּ֣ל חַסְדְּךָ֗ אֲשֶׁ֤ר עָשִׂ֨יתָ֙ עִמָּדִ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-key-terms
“and you have shown me great mercy/kindness” or “and you have been very merciful/kind to me”. This is the first occurrence in the Bible of the important Hebrew word “khesed,” which is translated as “mercy,” “kindness,” or “lovingkindness” and often implies that it was not deserved. Compare how you translated a different word that has a similar meaning (“mercy” or “compassion”) in verse 16.
by saving my life
Quote: לְהַחֲי֖וֹת אֶת נַפְשִׁ֑י (1)“and saved my life.”
But I am not able to escape to the mountain{s
Quote: וְאָנֹכִ֗י לֹ֤א אוּכַל֙ לְהִמָּלֵ֣ט הָהָ֔רָה (1)“But I am not able to flee/run all the way to the mountains/hills” or “But there is no way that I can make it safely all the way to the mountains/hills” or “But the mountains/hills are too far away for me to make it there safely”. See how you translated “the mountains” in verse 17.
because the disaster will overtake me and I will die
Quote: פֶּן תִּדְבָּקַ֥נִי הָרָעָ֖ה וָמַֽתִּי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
“before the disaster catches up with me and kills me.” or “before the disaster strikes/occurs and kills me.” The word “disaster” is personified here, that is, it is talked about as if it can act in human ways. Consider whether or not it would be clear and natural to do that here in your language.
Genesis 19:20
Behold, please
Quote: הִנֵּה נָ֠א (1)“So listen to this please:” Consider again how you translated “Behold, please” in verses 2, 8, 19-20. It may be necessary to translate it in slightly different ways, depending on the context.
That town there
Quote: הָעִ֨יר הַזֹּ֧את & שָׁ֖מָּה (1)“That town up ahead” or “That town over there”. The Hebrew word for “town” here (and in verses 21-23) can refer to either a city or a town, depending on the context. Many translations have “town,” or even “village,” here because the place was very small (verses 20, 22). Many other translations have “city” here instead, but that does not fit the context.
is} near to flee to
Quote: קְרֹבָ֛ה לָנ֥וּס (1)“is near/close enough to flee/run to in time,”
and it {is} a little one
Quote: וְהִ֣יא מִצְעָ֑ר (1)“and it is just/only a little/small town.” or “and it is little/small.”
Please let me escape there
Quote: אִמָּלְטָ֨ה נָּ֜א שָׁ֗מָּה (1)“Please let us escape/flee/run there, and do not destroy it.”
Is it not a little one
Quote: הֲלֹ֥א מִצְעָ֛ר הִ֖וא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
“After all, it is only/just a little/small place/town.” or “After all, it is very small.” This rhetorical question implies that it will not matter if such a small town like Zoar is not destroyed. Consider whether or not a rhetorical question works well here in your language.
Then my life will live
Quote: וּתְחִ֥י נַפְשִֽׁי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
“Then I/we will/can stay alive.” or “If you let us go there, then my family and I will live.” or “If you allow that, our lives will be saved/spared.” Lot says “my life,” but he is probably also including his family who is with him.
Genesis 19:21
Then he said
Quote: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“The angel said/replied”. This phrase probably refers to the same angel who spoke to Lot in verse 17. Make sure it does not sound like Lot is the one speaking here.
to him
Quote: אֵלָ֔יו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“to Lot,”
Behold
Quote: הִנֵּה֙ (1)“Listen,” or “Alright,” or “Here is what I will do:”
I have also lifted up your face concerning this thing
Quote: נָשָׂ֣אתִי פָנֶ֔יךָ גַּ֖ם לַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“I will allow/grant your request,” or “I will allow/permit you to do what you have requested,” Consider what is the best way in your language to translate the idiom “lifted up your face” here.
so I will not overthrow
Quote: לְבִלְתִּ֛י הָפְכִּ֥י (1)“and/so I will not overturn/destroy”
the town that you are talking about
Quote: אֶת הָעִ֖יר אֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבַּֽרְתָּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“the little/small town that you mentioned.” For some languages it may be clearer or more natural to put this clause earlier in the sentence and say, “I will allow you to go to the small town that you are talking about, and I will not destroy it.” Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 19:22
Hurry up
Quote: מַהֵר֙ (1)“But hurry up now and” or “But go quickly now and”
escape there
Quote: הִמָּלֵ֣ט שָׁ֔מָּה (1)“flee/run there,” or “escape/flee to that town,” Consider again how you translated “escape” in verses 17, 19-20, 22.
because I am not able to do
Quote: כִּ֣י לֹ֤א אוּכַל֙ לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת (1)“because I am not allowed to do/destroy anything” or “because I must wait to do/destroy anything” or “because God will not allow/permit me to do/destroy anything”. This clause implies that Yahweh will not allow the angel to destroy anything until Lot and his family arrive safely in the town of Zoar.
until you go there
Quote: עַד בֹּאֲךָ֖ שָׁ֑מָּה (1)“until you get/reach there safely.” or “until you are safely there.”
For that {reason
Quote: עַל כֵּ֛ן (1)“That is why” or “Since Lot said the town was little/small,” This phrase refers back to what Lot said in verse 20, not what the angel just said.
they called the name of the town
Quote: קָרָ֥א שֵׁם הָעִ֖יר (1)“the town was called” or “they/people called that town” or “the name of the town is”. See how you translated “they called the name” in Gen 11:9 and 16:14.
Zoar
Quote: צֽוֹעַר (1)“Zoar, which means “little/small.”” If this implied information is included in your translation or in a footnote, be consistent here with how you translated the word “little” or “small” in verse 20.
Genesis 19:23
The sun rose over the land
Quote: הַשֶּׁ֖מֶשׁ יָצָ֣א עַל הָאָ֑רֶץ (1)“The sun was rising”. Make sure that the way verse 23 begins in your translation fits with the way verse 15 begins, which refers to the same day.
and Lot
Quote: וְל֖וֹט (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous
“as/when Lot and his family”. In that culture the father was often the only one mentioned and the other family members were assumed to be with him.
came to Zoar
Quote: בָּ֥א צֹֽעֲרָה (1)“arrived at/in the town of Zoar.” or “reachedthe town of Zoar.”
Genesis 19:24
Then Yahweh rained down on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire
Quote: וַֽיהוָ֗ה הִמְטִ֧יר עַל סְדֹ֛ם וְעַל עֲמֹרָ֖ה גָּפְרִ֣ית וָאֵ֑שׁ (1)“Then Yahweh rained/poured down burning sulfur/rocks and fire on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah” or “Then Yahweh caused fire and burning sulfur/rocks to rain/pour down on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah”. The word “brimstone” refers to sulfur, which is a type of rock that is highly flammable. When it burns, it produces smoke, intense heat, and a bad smell like rotten eggs.
from Yahweh out of the heavens
Quote: מֵאֵ֥ת יְהוָ֖ה מִן הַשָּׁמָֽיִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“from himself in heaven,” or “from out of the heavens/sky,” Some translations omit the phrase “from Yahweh” since Yahweh is already mentioned earlier as the one doing this. Also, for some languages it may be better to change the order of phrases in this verse and say, “Then Yahweh caused fire and burning sulfur/rocks to fall/pour like heavy rain from the heavens/sky on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.” Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 19:25
and he overthrew
Quote: וַֽיַּהֲפֹךְ֙ (1)“and (so) he/Yahweh completely destroyed” or “In that way, he/Yahweh completely destroyed ” or “That is how he/Yahweh completely destroyed”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here. See how you translated a phrase with a similar meaning (“swept away”) in verses 15 and 17.
those cities
Quote: אֶת הֶעָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֔ל (1)“those two cities”
and all of the plain
Quote: וְאֵ֖ת כָּל הַכִּכָּ֑ר (1)“and the entire/whole plain/valley,” or “and the rest of the plain/valley,” Make sure it is clear in your translation that the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were also in the plain/valley, not separate from it.
including all the inhabitants of the cities
Quote: וְאֵת֙ כָּל יֹשְׁבֵ֣י הֶעָרִ֔ים (1)“including all the people who lived in the cities of/in that plain/valley” or “including everyone who lived in the cities there”. This phrase refers to Sodom and Gomorrah and at least two other cities in the valley (Deuteronomy 29:23).
and the vegetation
Quote: וְצֶ֖מַח (1)“and even all the vegetation/plants”
and the vegetation of the ground
Quote: וְצֶ֖מַח הָאֲדָמָֽה (1)“that were growing on the ground/land.” or “of/in the/that area/region.”
Genesis 19:26
But his wife from behind him looked back
Quote: וַתַּבֵּ֥ט אִשְׁתּ֖וֹ מֵאַחֲרָ֑יו (1)“But Lot’s wife, who was walking behind him, looked/glanced back at the city,” or “… looked back at Sodom,”
and she became
Quote: וַתְּהִ֖י (1)“and immediately she turned into” or “and immediately her body turned into” or “and immediately God/Yahweh turned her into”
a pillar of salt
Quote: נְצִ֥יב מֶֽלַח (1)“a column/statue of solid salt rock and she died.” or “salt rock that was in the shape of a pillar/column.”
Genesis 19:27
Abraham got up early in the morning
Quote: וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֥ם אַבְרָהָ֖ם בַּבֹּ֑קֶר (1)“Meanwhile, Abraham got up early that same morning” or “Early that same morning, Abraham got up”. Some translations translate this as the next morning, but it is more likely that this was the same day when Lot arrived in Zoar and Yahweh destroyed the cities in the valley (verse 23).
and went to the place
Quote: אֶל הַ֨מָּק֔וֹם (1)“and returned to the place/spot”
where he had stood before Yahweh
Quote: אֲשֶׁר עָ֥מַד & אֶת פְּנֵ֥י יְהוָֽה (1)“where he had stood/been with Yahweh the previous day,” or “where he had stood in Yahweh’s presence the day before.”
Genesis 19:28
and he looked down
Quote: וַיַּשְׁקֵ֗ף (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“Then he/Abraham looked down” or “He looked down”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here. Also, make sure it is clear that Abraham, not Yahweh, is being referred to here.
toward
Quote: עַל פְּנֵ֤י (1)“at” or “in the direction of”
Sodom and Gomorrah
Quote: סְדֹם֙ וַעֲמֹרָ֔ה (1)“the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah”
and toward all the surface of the land of the plain
Quote: וְעַֽל כָּל פְּנֵ֖י אֶ֣רֶץ הַכִּכָּ֑ר (1)“and all the rest of the plain/valley.”
And he saw that, behold
Quote: וַיַּ֗רְא וְהִנֵּ֤ה (1)“There in front of him, he saw that” or “And he was amazed to see that”
smoke was rising from the land
Quote: עָלָה֙ קִיטֹ֣ר הָאָ֔רֶץ (1)“lots of thick smoke was billowing up from/over the land” or “a large amount of smoke was …”
like smoke from a furnace
Quote: כְּקִיטֹ֖ר הַכִּבְשָֽׁן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
“like smoke that comes from the fire in a large furnace/oven.” or “like smoke from a huge fire.” During that time period, a furnace was heated by fire.
Genesis 19:29
So it was, when God destroyed
Quote: וַיְהִ֗י בְּשַׁחֵ֤ת אֱלֹהִים֙ (1)“So it was/happened that when God destroyed” or “When God destroyed”. See how you translated “destroyed” in verses 13-14, 17.
the cities of the plain
Quote: אֶת עָרֵ֣י הַכִּכָּ֔ר (1)“the cities on the plain,” or “the cities in the plain/valley,” Consider again how you translated “plain/valley” in Gen 13:10-12; 19:17, 25, 28, 29.
that God remembered Abraham
Quote: וַיִּזְכֹּ֥ר אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶת אַבְרָהָ֑ם (1)“he kept Abraham and his request in mind” or “he remembered/granted Abraham’s request”. Make sure your translation of this clause does not imply that God forgot Abraham. See how you translated “God remembered” in Gen 8:1.
and sent Lot out of the middle of
Quote: וַיְשַׁלַּ֤ח אֶת לוֹט֙ מִתּ֣וֹךְ (1)“and brought Lot safely away from” or “So he rescued/saved Lot from”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
the overthrow
Quote: הַהֲפֵכָ֔ה (1)“the disaster/catastrophe,”
when he overthrew the cities
Quote: בַּהֲפֹךְ֙ אֶת הֶ֣עָרִ֔ים (1)“when he completely destroyed the cities” or “that he had caused/used to completely destroy the cities”
which Lot had lived in
Quote: אֲשֶׁר יָשַׁ֥ב בָּהֵ֖ן לֽוֹט (1)“where Lot had been living.”
Genesis 19:30
Then Lot went up from Zoar and settled in the mountain{s}, and his two daughters {were} with him
Quote: וַיַּעַל֩ ל֨וֹט מִצּ֜וֹעַר וַיֵּ֣שֶׁב בָּהָ֗ר וּשְׁתֵּ֤י בְנֹתָיו֙ עִמּ֔וֹ (1)“After that, Lot moved with his two daughters from the town of Zoar up into the mountains/hills and settled/lived there,” or “Sometime later, Lot and his two daughters left the town of Zoar and moved to the mountains/hills,” Be consistent here with how you translated “the mountains” in verses 17 and 19.
because he was afraid to settle in Zoar
Quote: כִּ֥י יָרֵ֖א לָשֶׁ֣בֶת בְּצ֑וֹעַר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“because he was afraid to stay in the town of Zoar.” For some languages it may be clearer or more natural to put this clause earlier in this sentence and say, “Lot was afraid to settle/stay in the town of Zoar, so he and his two daughters moved from there to the mountains/hills, where they lived in a cave.” Do what is best in your language. Also, be consistent with how you spelled “Zoar” throughout the book of Genesis. See Gen 13:10; 14:2, 8; 19:22-23, 30.
So he lived in a cave, he and his two daughters
Quote: וַיֵּ֨שֶׁב֙ בַּמְּעָרָ֔ה ה֖וּא וּשְׁתֵּ֥י בְנֹתָֽיו (1)“So he/Lot and his two daughters lived in a cave in the mountains/hills.”
Genesis 19:31
Then the firstborn said to
Quote: וַתֹּ֧אמֶר הַבְּכִירָ֛ה אֶל (1)“Then one day his oldest/older daughter said/suggested to”
the younger
Quote: הַצְּעִירָ֖ה (1)“his younger daughter/one,” or “her younger sister,” or “her sister,”
Our father is old
Quote: אָבִ֣ינוּ זָקֵ֑ן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-politeness
“Our father is elderly,” or “Our father is getting along in years,” In some cultures, it is not polite to call someone “old”. Translate this clause in a way that is accurate and acceptable in your language area.
and there is not a man
Quote: וְאִ֨ישׁ אֵ֤ין (1)“and there is no man” or “and there are not any men”
on the earth
Quote: בָּאָ֨רֶץ֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole
“in this land/area” or “around here”. Lot’s daughter is exaggerating here, to emphasize her point.
to come to us
Quote: לָב֣וֹא עָלֵ֔ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
“to be/sleep with us,” or “to marry us,” See how you translated the idiom “went to” in Gen 6:4, which is the same meaning as “come to” here.
as {is} the way of all the earth
Quote: כְּדֶ֖רֶךְ כָּל הָאָֽרֶץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“as is the way/custom of all the people on the earth.” or “which is normal/customary for people all over the earth/world.” or “which is the custom that people have everywhere else in the world.”
Genesis 19:32
Come on
Quote: לְכָ֨ה (1)“So come on,” or “So let’s do this together:” See how you translated this in Gen 14:7.
let us get our father to drink wine
Quote: נַשְׁקֶ֧ה אֶת־אָבִ֛ינוּ יַ֖יִן (1)“let’s get our father to drink wine until he is drunk,” or “we should get our father drunk on wine,” Consider what is the best way to translate this proposal or suggestion in your language.
and let us lie with him
Quote: וְנִשְׁכְּבָ֣ה עִמּ֑וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
“and then we should/can sleep with him” or “Then we should/can have physical/sexual relations with him”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
so that we will give life to
Quote: וּנְחַיֶּ֥ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result
“That way we will/can have descendants” or “so that we can preserve/continue our family line” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
through our father
Quote: מֵאָבִ֖ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“with/by our father.” or “through/with him.”
Genesis 19:33
So they got their father to drink wine on that night
Quote: וַתַּשְׁקֶ֧יןָ אֶת אֲבִיהֶ֛ן יַ֖יִן בַּלַּ֣יְלָה ה֑וּא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“So they got their father drunk on wine that very night,” or “So that night Lot’s daughters got their father drunk on wine,” Consider what is the best way in your language to refer to Lot’s daughters at this point in the paragraph.
and the firstborn went
Quote: וַתָּבֹ֤א הַבְּכִירָה֙ (1)“Then the/his oldest/older daughter went to him”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
and lay with her father
Quote: וַתִּשְׁכַּ֣ב אֶת אָבִ֔יהָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
“and slept with him,” or “and had relations with him,” Make sure that the way you translate the euphemism “lay with” will not be too offensive to be read aloud in public.
but he did not know
Quote: וְלֹֽא יָדַ֥ע (1)“But he was so drunk that he did not even know/realize” or “But he was so drunk that he was not even aware” or “But he was so drunk that he was completely unaware”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
when she lay down or when she got up
Quote: בְּשִׁכְבָ֖הּ וּבְקׄוּמָֽהּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
“that she got in bed with him or that she left.” or “that she had been with him.”
Genesis 19:34
Then it happened on the next day
Quote: וַֽיְהִי֙ מִֽמָּחֳרָ֔ת (1)“The next day, this is what happened:” or “The next day”. The phrase “Then it happened” introduces and emphasizes important information which the following narrative builds on. It also creates suspense so that readers and listeners wonder what will happen next. Some translations leave this phrase out, but doing that loses some of the suspense. Do what is best in your language.
that the firstborn said to
Quote: וַתֹּ֤אמֶר הַבְּכִירָה֙ אֶל (1)“Lot’s oldest/older daughter said to”
the younger
Quote: הַצְּעִירָ֔ה (1)“his younger daughter/one,” or “her younger sister,” or “her sister,” See how you translated this phrase in verse 31.
Behold, last night
Quote: הֵן & אֶ֖מֶשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“Listen, last night”. For some languages it may be more natural to put this time phrase (“last night”) last in this sentence. Do what is best in your language.
I lay with my father
Quote: שָׁכַ֥בְתִּי & אֶת אָבִ֑י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
“I slept with our father.” or “I had sexual/physical relations with our father.” See how you translated “lay with” in verse 33.
Let us get him to drink wine again tonight
Quote: נַשְׁקֶ֨נּוּ יַ֜יִן גַּם הַלַּ֗יְלָה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“Let’s get him drunk on wine again tonight.” or “Tonight we should get him drunk again.” Consider whether it is better in your language to put the time word “tonight” first or last in this clause.
Then you go
Quote: וּבֹ֨אִי֙ (1)“Then you also should go and”
lie with him
Quote: שִׁכְבִ֣י עִמּ֔וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
“sleep with him” or “have relations with him”
so that we will give life
Quote: וּנְחַיֶּ֥ה (1)“so that we will/can have descendants” or “so that we will/can preserve/continue our family line”. See how you translated the last clause in verse 32, which is the same as the rest of verse 34.
through our father
Quote: מֵאָבִ֖ינוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns
“with/by our father.” or “through/with him.”
Genesis 19:35
So on that night also they got their father to drink wine
Quote: וַתַּשְׁקֶ֜יןָ גַּ֣ם בַּלַּ֧יְלָה הַה֛וּא אֶת אֲבִיהֶ֖ן יָ֑יִן (1)“So they got their father drunk on wine that night, also/too.” or “So that night Lot’s daughters got their father drunk on wine again.”
Then the younger went and lay with him
Quote: וַתָּ֤קָם הַצְּעִירָה֙ וַתִּשְׁכַּ֣ב עִמּ֔וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
“Then the/his younger daughter went to him and slept with him,” or “Then the/his younger daughter went to him and had sexual/physical relations with him,”
but he did not know
Quote: וְלֹֽא יָדַ֥ע (1)“But/And once again he was so drunk that he did not even know/realize” or “but … he was not even aware” or “But … he was completely unaware”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here. Also, see how you translated the last clause in verse 33, which is similar to the rest of verse 35.
when she lay down or when she got up
Quote: בְּשִׁכְבָ֖הּ וּבְקֻמָֽהּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
“that she got in bed with him or that she left.” or “that she had been with him.”
Genesis 19:36
So both of the daughters of Lot conceived
Quote: וַֽתַּהֲרֶ֛יןָ שְׁתֵּ֥י בְנֽוֹת־ל֖וֹט (1)“In that way, both of Lot’s daughters became pregnant” or “As a result …”
from their father
Quote: מֵאֲבִיהֶֽן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
“from/by having relations with their father.”
Genesis 19:37
Then the firstborn bore a son
Quote: וַתֵּ֤לֶד הַבְּכִירָה֙ בֵּ֔ן (1)“Later the/his oldest/older daughter gave birth to a son,” or “… had a son,” Make sure that the way you translate “Later” fits with the fact that several months have gone by.
and she called his name
Quote: וַתִּקְרָ֥א שְׁמ֖וֹ (1)“and she called/named him” or “whom she named”. See how you translated “called his name” in Gen 5:29.
Moab
Quote: מוֹאָ֑ב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“Moab, which means “from my father.”” You can include the meaning of this name in your translation text or in a footnote. Some translations put this implied information in parentheses. Do what is best in your language.
He {is} the father of
Quote: ה֥וּא אֲבִֽי (1)“He/Moab was/became the forefather/ancestor of”
the Moabites to this day
Quote: מוֹאָ֖ב עַד הַיּֽוֹם (1)“the Moabite people who are still living today.” or “the people/ethnic group who are called the Moabites today.” The phrase, “to this day” or “today” refers to the time when Moses wrote the book of Genesis, which was hundreds of years after Lot and his daughters lived and died.
Genesis 19:38
Then the younger, she also
Quote: וְהַצְּעִירָ֤ה גַם הִוא֙ (1)“Lot’s younger daughter also”
bore a son
Quote: יָ֣לְדָה בֵּ֔ן (1)“gave birth to a son,” or “had a son,” See how you translated the last half of verse 37, which is the same as the rest of verse 38, except for the names.
and she called his name
Quote: וַתִּקְרָ֥א שְׁמ֖וֹ (1)“and she called/named him” or “whom she named”
Ben-Ammi
Quote: בֶּן עַמִּ֑י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“Ben-Ammi, which means “son of my people.”” You can include the meaning of this name in your translation text or in a footnote. Some translations put this implied information in parentheses. Do what is best in your language.
He {is} the father of
Quote: ה֛וּא אֲבִ֥י (1)“He/Ben-Ammi was/became the forefather/ancestor of”
the sons of Ammon to this day
Quote: בְנֵֽי עַמּ֖וֹן עַד הַיּֽוֹם (1)“the Ammonite people who are still living today.” or “the people/ethnic group who are called the Ammonites today.” See how you translated a similar phrase in verse 37.
Genesis 20
Genesis 20:1
Then Abraham traveled
Quote: וַיִּסַּ֨ע & אַבְרָהָם֙ (1)“Then/Meanwhile Abraham and his family journeyed/moved/left”. Consider what is the best way to introduce this new episode in your language, where the focus shifts to Abraham.
from there
Quote: מִשָּׁ֤ם (1)“from the place where he/they were living” or “from near the city of Hebron”. Abraham and Sarah had been living by the trees of Mamre, near the city of Hebron (Gen 13:18; 18:1).
to the land of the Negev
Quote: אַ֣רְצָה הַנֶּ֔גֶב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
“and went/moved south to the Negev Wilderness/Desert area/region,” See how you translated “the Negev Wilderness/Desert” in Gen 12:9 (note); 13:1, 3.
and he settled between Kadesh and Shur
Quote: וַיֵּ֥שֶׁב בֵּין קָדֵ֖שׁ וּבֵ֣ין שׁ֑וּר (1)“There he/they lived between the cities of Kadesh and Shur”. Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here. Also, be consistent here with how you spelled “Kadesh” in Gen 14:7 and “Shur” in 16:7.
and sojourned in Gerar
Quote: וַיָּ֖גָר בִּגְרָֽר (1)“and they stayed/lived there for a while as foreigners, in the city of Gerar.” or “and they stayed/lived in the city of Gerar for a while.” See how you translated “sojourn” in Gen 12:10. Also be consistent here with how you translated “Gerar” in Gen 10:19.
Genesis 20:2
And Abraham said about Sarah his wife, “She {is} my sister
Quote: וַיֹּ֧אמֶר אַבְרָהָ֛ם אֶל־שָׂרָ֥ה אִשְׁתּ֖וֹ אֲחֹ֣תִי הִ֑וא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes
“While they were there, Abraham/he told people that his wife Sarah was his sister.” or “While they were there, Abraham/he told people that Sarah was his sister, not his wife.” Sarah was Abraham’s younger sister (Gen 19:19). Some languages use special words for “sister” and “brother” in Gen 12:13, 19; 20:2, 5, 12-13, 16, to distinguish when someone is younger or older than his or her sibling. Do what is best in your language.
So Abimelech the king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her
Quote: וַיִּשְׁלַ֗ח אֲבִימֶ֨לֶךְ֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ גְּרָ֔ר וַיִּקַּ֖ח אֶת־שָׂרָֽה (1)“So/Then one day Abimelech, who was the king of/over the city of Gerar, had some of his servants bring Sarah to his home to be his wife.”or “So/Then one day King Abimelech, who ruled the Philistines from the city of Gerar, had Sarah brought to him to be his wife.” The city of Gerar was the Philistines’ capital city where King Abimelech ruled from (Gen 21:2, 32; 26:1).
Genesis 20:3
But God came to Abimelech in a dream
Quote: וַיָּבֹ֧א אֱלֹהִ֛ים אֶל אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ בַּחֲל֣וֹם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-honorifics
“But God appeared to King Abimelech in a dream”. For some languages it is necessary to use an honorific title for a king each time (or most of the time) that he is referred to by name, in order to show him proper respect. Do what is best in your language throughout this chapter.
in} the night
Quote: הַלָּ֑יְלָה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“during the night” or “by/at night” or “that night”. It may be more natural to put this time phrase earlier in this sentence and say, “But that night God came/appeared to King Abimelech in a dream …” Do what is best in your language.
and said to him
Quote: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֗וֹ (1)“and told/warned him,”
Behold, you are dead
Quote: הִנְּךָ֥ מֵת֙ (1)“Listen to me, you are a dead man” or “Listen to me, you are about to die” or “Behold, I have sentenced you to die”. Make sure that the way you translate this clause does not make it sound like King Abimelech is already dead. God is telling King Abimelech what is about to happen to him.
because of the woman whom you have taken, because she
Quote: עַל הָאִשָּׁ֣ה אֲשֶׁר לָקַ֔חְתָּ וְהִ֖וא (1)“because the woman whom you have taken to be your wife”. See how you translated “took” in verse 2.
is married to a husband
Quote: בְּעֻ֥לַת בָּֽעַל (1)“is already married to someone else!” or “is a married woman!” or “is another man’s wife!”
Genesis 20:4
Now Abimelech
Quote: וַאֲבִימֶ֕לֶךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-background
“Now/However King Abimelech”. Consider what is the best way in your language to introduce this background information.
had not gone near to her
Quote: לֹ֥א קָרַ֖ב אֵלֶ֑יהָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-euphemism
“had not yet slept with her/Sarah,” or “had not had marital/sexual relations with her/Sarah,” Translate this clause in a way that will not be offensive or embarrassing in your language when it is read aloud in public. See how you translated a different phrase in Gen 19:31 (“come to us”) that has the same meaning.
so he said
Quote: וַיֹּאמַ֕ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“so he asked God,” The way you translate this quote margin will depend on how you translate the rhetorical question that follows it.
My Lord
Quote: אֲדֹנָ֕י (1)“My Master,” or “Lord/Master,” See how you translated this title of respect for God in Gen 18:27, 30-32.
will you kill a nation even though
Quote: הֲג֥וֹי גַּם & תַּהֲרֹֽג (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
“will/would you kill me and my people group even if/though” or “please do not kill/destroy me and my people group, since”. King Abimelech uses a rhetorical question here to express his desperate concern. Abimelech is saying in a dramatic way that if God kills him, he will destroy the nation that Abimelech leads as their king. Make sure in your translation that he does not sound angry or rude. Also, see how you translated “nation” in Gen 18:18.
it is} righteous
Quote: צַדִּ֖יק (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
“we are innocent?” or “we are actually righteous/innocent!” Consider again how you translated the word “righteous” in the book of Genesis. See Gen 6:9, 7:1, 18:23-26, 28; 20:4. It may be necessary to translate this term in different ways, depending on the context.
Genesis 20:5
Did not he himself say to me, ‘She {is} my sister
Quote: הֲלֹ֨א ה֤וּא אָֽמַר לִי֙ אֲחֹ֣תִי הִ֔וא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
“He/Abraham himself told me that she/Sarah was his sister.” Abimelech uses another rhetorical question here as he continues to defend his actions. Do what is best in your language. Also, see how you translated “sister” in verse 2.
And she herself also said, ‘He {is} my brother
Quote: וְהִֽיא גַם הִ֥וא אָֽמְרָ֖ה אָחִ֣י ה֑וּא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes
“And she/Sarah herself also said/claimed that he was her brother.” Consider whether it is better in your language to translate this embedded quote as a direct or indirect quote.
I did this
Quote: עָשִׂ֥יתִי זֹֽאת (1)“So I did what I did” or “So I took her to be my wife”
in the integrity of my heart
Quote: בְּתָם לְבָבִ֛י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“with a pure/blameless/clear conscience” or “with honorable/pure intentions/motives”
and in the innocence of my hands
Quote: וּבְנִקְיֹ֥ן כַּפַּ֖י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“and with clean/innocent hands!” or “and I did not know that I was doing anything wrong!” If you use an exclamation point here in your translation, make sure it does not mean that King Abimelech is angry or being rude; rather, he is desperate.
Genesis 20:6
Then God said to him in the dream
Quote: וַיֹּאמֶר֩ אֵלָ֨יו הָֽאֱלֹהִ֜ים בַּחֲלֹ֗ם (1)“God replied to him in the dream,” or “God answered King Abimelech in the dream,”
Yes, I know that
Quote: גַּ֣ם אָנֹכִ֤י יָדַ֨עְתִּי֙ כִּ֤י (1)“Yes, I know/realize that it was” or “I am aware that it was”
in the integrity of your heart
Quote: בְתָם לְבָבְךָ֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“with a pure/blameless/clear conscience” or “with honorable/pure intentions/motives”. See how you translated a similar phrase in verse 5.
you did this
Quote: עָשִׂ֣יתָ זֹּ֔את (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“that you did this,” or “that you took her/Sarah to be your wife,” For some languages it may be clearer or more natural to put this phrase before the previous one and say, “Yes, I know/realize that you did this with honorable/pure motives …” Do what is best in your language.
and indeed I kept you from sinning against me
Quote: וָאֶחְשֹׂ֧ךְ גַּם־אָנֹכִ֛י אֽוֹתְךָ֖ מֵחֲטוֹ־לִ֑י (1)“and in fact, it is I who kept/prevented you from doing this sin against me.” or “In fact, I am the one who kept/prevented you from sinning against me.” In the Hebrew text, “I” is an emphatic pronoun. Try to communicate that emphasis in a natural way in your translation. Also, consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
For that {reason
Quote: עַל כֵּ֥ן (1)“That is why”
I did not allow you
Quote: לֹא נְתַתִּ֖יךָ (1)“I did not permit you to” or “I did not let you”
to touch her
Quote: לִנְגֹּ֥עַ אֵלֶֽיהָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-infostructure
“sleep with her.” or “have marital/sexual relations with her.” or “do anything with/to her.” See how you translated the idiom “gone/come near to her” in verse 4, which has a meaning that is similar to the idiom here. Also, for some languages it may be better to change the order of these clauses and say, “I am the one who did not allow/permit you to touch her so that you would not sin against me.” Do what is best in your language.
Genesis 20:7
So now
Quote: וְעַתָּ֗ה (1)“Now then,”
return the wife of the man
Quote: הָשֵׁ֤ב אֵֽשֶׁת הָאִישׁ֙ (1)“give back the man’s wife” or “you must give Abraham’s wife back to him” or “return her/Sarah to her husband Abraham”
because he {is} a prophet
Quote: כִּֽי נָבִ֣יא ה֔וּא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-key-terms
“He is a prophet/spokesman for me,” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here. Also, a prophet is someone who speaks for someone else. In this case, Abraham serves as an intercessor and speaks for God and prays what God wants him to say (verses 7,17). Avoid a translation of this term that focuses on telling the future, which is only one of the things that a prophet might do.
and he will pray for you
Quote: וְיִתְפַּלֵּ֥ל בַּֽעַדְךָ֖ (1)“and/so he will ask me to be merciful/kind to you,”
and you will live
Quote: וֶֽחְיֵ֑ה (1)“and I will let you live.” or “so that you will not die.”
But if you do not
Quote: וְאִם־אֵֽינְךָ֣ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast
“But if you will not” or “However, if you refuse to”
return her
Quote: מֵשִׁ֗יב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“give her/Sarah back to him/Abraham,”
know that
Quote: דַּ֚ע כִּי (1)“you need to know that” or “be aware that” or “you can be sure that”
you will surely die, you and all who {belong} to you
Quote: מ֣וֹת תָּמ֔וּת אַתָּ֖ה וְכָל אֲשֶׁר לָֽךְ (1)“you and all your people will surely/definitely die!” or “I will surely/definitely kill/destroy you and all your people!” The phrase “all who belong to you” refers to King Abimelech’s people, whom he referred to in verse 4. Make sure that is clear in your translation.
Genesis 20:8
So Abimelech got up early in the morning
Quote: וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֨ם אֲבִימֶ֜לֶךְ בַּבֹּ֗קֶר (1)“So the next morning King Abimelech got up early” or “Early the next morning King Abimelech got up”
and called
Quote: וַיִּקְרָא֙ (1)“and called together” or “summoned”
for all of his servants
Quote: לְכָל עֲבָדָ֔יו (1)“all of his officials,” or “all his officials and other servants,”
and he told all those things in their ears
Quote: וַיְדַבֵּ֛ר אֶת כָּל הַדְּבָרִ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה בְּאָזְנֵיהֶ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“Then he told/informed them about everything that God had said to him in the dream,” or “He told told them everything that had happened,” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here.
and the men were very afraid
Quote: וַיִּֽירְא֥וּ הָאֲנָשִׁ֖ים מְאֹֽד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“and they were/felt terrified.” or “When they heard that, they were very afraid that God would punish/kill them.” or “As soon as they heard that, the men/servants/officials were very afraid of what would/might happen next.” Consider what is the best way in your language to refer to King Abimelech’s servants at each point in this verse.
Genesis 20:9
Then Abimelech called
Quote: וַיִּקְרָ֨א אֲבִימֶ֜לֶךְ (1)“Then King Abimelech summoned Abraham” or “Then the king called Abraham in to see him” or “Then he had Abraham brought to him”. Consider what is the best way in your language to refer to King Abimelech at this point in the paragraph.
and said to him
Quote: וַיֹּ֨אמֶר ל֜וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“and asked him,” or “scolded him by saying,” The way you translate this quote margin will depend on how you translate the rhetorical question that follows it.
What have you done to us
Quote: מֶֽה עָשִׂ֤יתָ לָּ֨נוּ֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
“Why have you treated us like this?” or “What you have done to us is not right!” or “You have treated us very badly!” Abimelech uses two rhetorical questions here to express his anger and to scold Abraham for what he had done. Consider whether or not a rhetorical question is the best way to communicate that in your language.
And how have I sinned against you so that
Quote: וּמֶֽה חָטָ֣אתִי לָ֔ךְ כִּֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
“What did I do wrong to you so that” or “I never did anything wrong to you, and/but yet”
you brought a great sin on me and on my kingdom
Quote: הֵבֵ֧אתָ עָלַ֛י וְעַל מַמְלַכְתִּ֖י חֲטָאָ֣ה גְדֹלָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
“you brought on me and my kingdom/people the guilt of a terrible sin!” or “you have caused me and the kingdom/people that I rule to be guilty of sinning terribly!” Make sure your punctuation here fits with how you translate this rhetorical question.
You have done deeds to me that should not be done
Quote: מַעֲשִׂים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹא יֵֽעָשׂ֔וּ עָשִׂ֖יתָ עִמָּדִֽי (1)“You have wronged me in ways that should never be done to anyone!” or “No one should ever wrong someone the way you have wronged me!”
Genesis 20:10
Then Abimelech said to Abraham
Quote: וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֲבִימֶ֖לֶךְ אֶל אַבְרָהָ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“Finally, King Abimelech asked him,” For some languages it is more natural here to omit this quote margin, because the same person is still talking to the same person. However, the words emphasize what King Abimelech says next and may indicate that there was a pause between what he said in verse 9 and in verse 10. Do what is best in your language.
What were you looking for when you did
Quote: מָ֣ה רָאִ֔יתָ כִּ֥י עָשִׂ֖יתָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“What did you expect to benefit from/by doing” or “What motivated you to do” or “What were your reasons/motives for doing”
this thing
Quote: אֶת הַדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּֽה (1)“this terrible thing?” or “what you did?”
Genesis 20:11
And Abraham answered
Quote: וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ אַבְרָהָ֔ם (1)“Abraham answered him,” or “Abraham replied to him,”
Because
Quote: כִּ֣י (1)“I did it because”
I said, ‘Surely there is no fear of God in this place, so they will kill me because of my wife
Quote: אָמַ֗רְתִּי רַ֚ק אֵין יִרְאַ֣ת אֱלֹהִ֔ים בַּמָּק֖וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה וַהֲרָג֖וּנִי עַל דְּבַ֥ר אִשְׁתִּֽי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes
“I said/thought to myself, ‘Surely/Certainly there is no one in this place/city who fears/reveres/respects God, so they will kill me because they want to take my wife.’ ” or “I thought that there was certainly no one in this place/city who feared/revered/obeyed God, so I was afraid that they would kill me in order to get/take my wife for themselves.” To “fear God” is an important theme in the Bible. It is a complex term that means to recognize how holy and powerful God is and to deeply respect and honor him by obeying and worshiping him. Also, consider whether it is better in your language to translate this embedded quote as a direct or indirect quote.
Genesis 20:12
And also
Quote: וְגַם (1)“Besides that,” or “In addition to that,”
she truly {is} my sister
Quote: אָמְנָ֗ה אֲחֹתִ֤י & הִ֔וא (1)“it is true that she/Sarah is my sister/half-sister,” or “she/Sarah actually is my sister/half-sister,”
the daughter of my father but not the daughter of my mother
Quote: בַת אָבִי֙ & אַ֖ךְ לֹ֣א בַת אִמִּ֑י (1)“because she and I have the same father, but not the same mother,” or “We have the same father, but different mothers,”
and she became my wife
Quote: וַתְּהִי־לִ֖י לְאִשָּֽׁה (1)“and after we grew up, we got married.” or “and when we were old enough, I married her.”
Genesis 20:13
And it happened
Quote: וַיְהִ֞י (1)“It happened that” or “Years later,”
when God caused me to wander
Quote: כַּאֲשֶׁ֧ר הִתְע֣וּ אֹתִ֗י אֱלֹהִים֮ (1)“when God told/commanded me to leave” or “when God led me to travel away from”
from the house of my father
Quote: מִבֵּ֣ית אָבִי֒ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
“my father’s household/family,” or “the place where my father and other relatives were living,” See how you translated “house of … father” in Gen 12:1.
then I said to her
Quote: וָאֹמַ֣ר לָ֔הּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“I told/asked her/Sarah”
This {is} your kindness that you can do for me: At every place where we go, say about me, “He {is} my brother
Quote: זֶ֣ה חַסְדֵּ֔ךְ אֲשֶׁ֥ר תַּעֲשִׂ֖י עִמָּדִ֑י אֶ֤ל כָּל־הַמָּקוֹם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נָב֣וֹא שָׁ֔מָּה אִמְרִי־לִ֖י אָחִ֥י הֽוּא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes
“ ‘This is how you can show kindness/loyalty to me: Wherever we go, tell people that I am your brother.’ ” or “ ‘Please be kind/loyal to me and tell people wherever we go that I am your brother.’ ” or “to please do me a special favor and tell people wherever we go that I am her brother.” Consider whether it is better in your language to translate these embedded quotes as direct or indirect quotes.
Genesis 20:14
Then Abimelech took
Quote: וַיִּקַּ֨ח אֲבִימֶ֜לֶךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-honorifics
“Then King Abimelech brought”
flocks and herds
Quote: צֹ֣אן וּבָקָ֗ר (1)“flocks of sheep and herds of cattle” or “many sheep and cattle”. See how you translated this phrase in Gen 12:16.
and men slaves and women slaves
Quote: וַעֲבָדִים֙ וּשְׁפָחֹ֔ת (1)“and men and women slaves/servants to Abraham” or “and male and female slaves/servants to Abraham”. See how you translated this phrase in Gen 12:16.
and gave them to Abraham
Quote: וַיִּתֵּ֖ן לְאַבְרָהָ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
“and gave them all to Abraham/him,”
and he returned Sarah his wife to him
Quote: וַיָּ֣שֶׁב ל֔וֹ אֵ֖ת שָׂרָ֥ה אִשְׁתּֽוֹ (1)“He also gave back to Abraham his wife Sarah.” or “And/Then he also gave Abraham’s wife Sarah back to him.” Consider whether or not it is better in your language to begin a new sentence here. Also, see how you translated “return” twice in verse 7.
Genesis 20:15
Then Abimelech said
Quote: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲבִימֶ֔לֶךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
“Then Abimelech/he said to him/Abraham,”
Behold
Quote: הִנֵּ֥ה (1)“Look,” or “Listen,”
my land {is} before you
Quote: אַרְצִ֖י לְפָנֶ֑יךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“my land is in front of you.” or “my land is available to you.” See how you translated the idiom “before your face” in Gen 13:9.
Settle
Quote: שֵֽׁב (1)“You may settle/live” or “I invite you to settle/live”. See how you translated this verb in verse 1.
wherever {is} good in your eyes
Quote: בַּטּ֥וֹב בְּעֵינֶ֖יךָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
“wherever you think/decide is good/best for you.” or “wherever you want.” See how you translated the idiom “good in your eyes” in Gen 19:8. You may need to translate this phrase in different ways, depending on the context.