Gen 3:22 | NETfull | STEP | And the Lord God said, “Now that the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil, he must not be allowed to stretch out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.”

Genesis 3:22

22 And the Lord God said, “Now ^{▼▼ The particle הֵן (hen) introduces a foundational clause, usually beginning with “since, because, now.”} that the man has become like one of us, ^{▼▼ The man has become like one of us. See the notes on Gen 1:26 and 3:5.} knowing ^{▼▼ The infinitive explains in what way the man had become like God: “knowing good and evil.”} good and evil, he must not be allowed ^{▼▼ 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.} to stretch out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.”