אַף

From the study of Genesis 3:1

Range of meaning

Elsewhere the combination usually means 'how much more' or 'how much less' in arguments from the lesser to the greater (1 Sam 21:5 [Eng. 21:5–6]; Prov 11:31; 15:11). At the very start of a speech, as here, it is unique, and its force has to be worked out from context: 'So, indeed, God has said…?', 'Is it really so that…?', or 'Even though God said…'.

Against the English

BSB/NIV 'Did God really say', ESV 'Did God actually say', WEB 'Has God really said', KJV 'Yea, hath God said', YLT 'Is it true that God hath said'. All of them make it a question that expresses surprise. Hebrew has no question marker here (the usual particle ha- is missing). Hearers would have recognised a question from tone, if they did, and some scholars read it as an exclamation or as an unfinished sentence.

Used elsewhere in the period

The Greek Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate both smooth it into 'Why did God say/command…?', which shows that ancient translators also found it awkward. E. A. Speiser proposed 'Even though God told you…', as if the serpent breaks into the conversation in the middle of a thought.

From the study of Proverbs 15:11

Range of meaning

A fixed phrase meaning "how much more" or "how much less" (Prov 11:31; 19:7; 21:27; 1 Sam 23:3; 1 Kgs 8:27). It introduces the second half of an argument from greater to lesser, the kind later rabbis called qal va-ḥomer ("light and heavy").

Against the English

BSB, ESV, NASB, NIV, KJV and WEB all render the "how much more" logic well. YLT's "Surely also" is too literal and loses the argument.

Used elsewhere in the period

The same proverb shape appears in Prov 11:31: "If the righteous are repaid on earth, how much more ('af ki) the wicked and the sinner!" Solomon's prayer in 1 Kgs 8:27 also uses 'af ki: "heaven cannot contain you, how much less ('af ki) this house."

From the study of Proverbs 22:19

Range of meaning

ʾAf = 'also, even, indeed, how much more'. ʾAttah = the independent 'you' (masc. sing.). Together they mean 'even you, yes you'. Repeating the person with a separate pronoun after a verb suffix is a known Hebrew way of adding emphasis (Gen 27:34 'bless me, even me'; 1 Kgs 21:19 'your blood, even yours').

Against the English

KJV 'even to thee', BSB 'yes, you', WEB/NIV 'even you' all keep the emphasis. Some modern versions add an object ('I have made them known'), which the Hebrew does not have, to smooth the sentence.

Used elsewhere in the period

The Greek Septuagint does not have the phrase, and some scholars think the Hebrew text is damaged here (see textual notes). The received Hebrew is still grammatical and fits the pointed, personal style of the father-to-son address in vv. 17–21.