Now when Jacob saw Rachel: Now when translates the Hebrew verb “to happen” followed by a relative clause marker. In King James Version this is regularly translated “And it came to pass.” This may best be rendered in English as a time expression, “When” or “As soon as.” Saw Rachel: Jacob’s attention was called to Rachel in verse 6 while she was still some distance away. Now, however, she is near the well, and Jacob can see her distinctly. She is described in verse 17 as being “beautiful and lovely.”

Rachel the daughter of Laban: the relation of Rachel to Laban was first given in verse 6, and Good News Translation does not repeat it here.

Laban his mother’s brother: this information was given in 28.2, 5. In this verse mother’s brother occurs three times, and translators may need to find ways to avoid unnecessary repetitions of this phrase. For example, on the first occurrence we may say “his uncle Laban” and omit the second and third repetitions, as in Good News Translation.

We may translate verse 10, for example, “When Jacob saw his cousin Rachel, the daughter of his uncle Laban, ….”

Jacob went up and rolled the stone from the well’s mouth: the narrator gives the impression that it is the sight of the lovely Rachel that gives Jacob the strength to remove the stone by himself. But it will take him fourteen years of labor to obtain her for his wife.

And watered the flock of Laban: that is, “and gave water to Laban’s flock” or “gave a drink to Laban’s animals.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Genesis. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .