When Laban heard the tidings of Jacob his sister’s son: tidings translates a word meaning “hearing,” “report,” “news.” Tidings of Jacob means the news about Jacob. In some languages a general noun meaning “the talk” or “the word” is used in a wide range of contexts and is naturally used here: “When Laban heard the talk that his sister’s son had come….”

Embraced him and kissed him: embraced means to “hug,” “clasp with the arms,” “put the arms around as a gesture of welcome.” For kiss see comments on 27.26.

Brought him to his house: Laban took and welcomed Jacob into his house.

Jacob told Laban all these things: these things may refer to the conflict between Jacob and Esau, but it is more likely to be the news of his family as well as the events on his long journey to Haran. And no doubt he spoke of his reason for coming to Haran, just as the servant had done for Isaac, his father, at an earlier time. We may translate, for example, “Jacob told Laban all his news” or “… all that had happened to him.”

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 .