44:4 They had not gone very far from the city5 when Joseph said6 to the servant who was over his household, “Pursue the men at once!7 When you overtake8 them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid good with evil?
tnHeb “they left the city, they were not far,” meaning “they had not gone very far.”
6
tnHeb “and Joseph said.” This clause, like the first one in the verse, has the subject before the verb, indicating synchronic action.
7
tnHeb “arise, chase after the men.” The first imperative gives the command a sense of urgency.
8
tn After the imperative this perfect verbal form with vav consecutive has the same nuance of instruction. In the translation it is subordinated to the verbal form that follows (also a perfect with vav consecutive): “and overtake them and say,” becomes “when you overtake them, say.”