Genesis 3:22
3:22 And the Lord God said, “Now 1 that the man has become like one of us, 2 knowing 3 good and evil, he must not be allowed 4 to stretch out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.”1 tn The particle הֵן (hen) introduces a foundational clause, usually beginning with “since, because, now.”
2 sn The man has become like one of us. See the notes on Gen 1:26 and 3:5.
3 tn The infinitive explains in what way the man had become like God: “knowing good and evil.”
4 tn Heb “and now, lest he stretch forth.” Following the foundational clause, this clause forms the main point. It is introduced with the particle פֶּן (pen) which normally introduces a negative purpose, “lest….” The construction is elliptical; something must be done lest the man stretch forth his hand. The translation interprets the point intended.
