3:22 And the Lord God said, “Now64 that the man has become like one of us,65 knowing66 good and evil, he must not be allowed67 to stretch out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.”
tn The particle הֵן (hen) introduces a foundational clause, usually beginning with “since, because, now.”
65
snThe man has become like one of us. See the notes on Gen 1:26 and 3:5.
66
tn The infinitive explains in what way the man had become like God: “knowing good and evil.”
67
tnHeb “and now, lest he stretch forth.” Following the foundational clause, this clause forms the main point. It is introduced with the particle פֶּן (pen) which normally introduces a negative purpose, “lest.…” The construction is elliptical; something must be done lest the man stretch forth his hand. The translation interprets the point intended.
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