Genesis 18:3-5 New English Translation
3 He said, “My lord,[a] if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by and leave your servant.[b] 4 Let a little water be brought so that[c] you may all[d] wash your feet and rest under the tree. 5 And let me get[e] a bit of food[f] so that you may refresh yourselves[g] since you have passed by your servant’s home. After that you may be on your way.”[h] “All right,” they replied, “you may do as you say.”
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- Genesis 18:3 tc The MT has the form אֲדֹנָי (ʾadonay, “Master”) which is reserved for God. This may reflect later scribal activity. The scribes, knowing it was the Lord, may have put the proper pointing with the word instead of the more common אֲדֹנִי (ʾadoni, “my master”).
- Genesis 18:3 tn Heb “do not pass by from upon your servant.”
- Genesis 18:4 tn The imperative after the jussive indicates purpose here.
- Genesis 18:4 tn The word “all” has been supplied in the translation because the Hebrew verb translated “wash” and the pronominal suffix on the word “feet” are plural, referring to all three of the visitors.
- Genesis 18:5 tn The Qal cohortative here probably has the nuance of polite request.
- Genesis 18:5 tn Heb “a piece of bread.” The Hebrew word לֶחֶם (lekhem) can refer either to bread specifically or to food in general. Based on Abraham’s directions to Sarah in v. 6, bread was certainly involved, but v. 7 indicates that Abraham had a more elaborate meal in mind.
- Genesis 18:5 tn Heb “strengthen your heart.” The imperative after the cohortative indicates purpose here.
- Genesis 18:5 tn Heb “so that you may refresh yourselves, after [which] you may be on your way—for therefore you passed by near your servant.”
New English Translation (NET)
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