Then the eyes of both were opened: although Then is the ordinary Hebrew connective, it marks an abrupt development in events and has the sense of “immediately, right away, just then.” Good News Translation makes the transition fuller, with “As soon as….” A number of translations use similar expressions, like “Straight away” and “At that moment.” For eyes … were opened see verse 5.
They knew that they were naked: knew translates the common Hebrew verb meaning know, but in this context the man and the woman acquire the knowledge instantly, and so some expression like “realized, found out, discovered” is more suitable. Naked is the same as in 2.25.
And they sewed fig leaves: sewed suggests fastening things together with needle and thread. In translation it may be more appropriate to use a more general term meaning to “fasten, attach, hook together.” The fig tree grows in abundance in the lands of the Bible and was well known to the narrator. Its leaves are large compared with its fruit. In languages in which the fig is unknown, it is customary to say, for example, “a tree called fig” or “fruit tree that produces a fruit called fig.” It is not always necessary to say that the leaves are from a fig tree. Since the fruit does not play a part in this verse, it may be possible to use the name of a local tree, particularly if the leaves are used for loincloths or are large enough to be so used. Another good possibility is to avoid naming the type of tree and just say “large leaves.” For a description of fig trees, see Fauna and Flora of the Bible, pages 118-119|fig:ffb_FigTree.htm.
Made themselves aprons: aprons translates a Hebrew word also used in Isa 3.24 and translated “belt” there by Good News Translation. It refers to something worn around the waist or hips. The word “apron” is not really a good translation in English, since an apron is a partial covering that is usually worn for a particular purpose or in particular situations, rather than being a general item of clothing. In some languages it is necessary to say “a man’s loincloth” and “a woman’s loincloth” since the words are different. The exact nature of these aprons is not known, and so it may be best to use a general term like “covering” or “put leaves together to cover their private parts.” One translation expresses the whole sentence as “So they-two sewed together fig leaves and put them on like a skirt to hide their bare skin.”
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 .