So they gave to Jacob all the foreign gods that they had: Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation translate the Hebrew connective as So to express the result of Jacob’s demand in Gen 35.3. Other English versions begin verse 4 with “Then” or make no logical connection with Gen 35.3. They gave is in response to Jacob’s orders; and in some languages gave may need to be expressed by a verb meaning “handed over,” “gave up,” “surrendered.” For foreign gods see verse 2.

The rings that were in their ears: nothing was said in verse 2 about getting rid of earrings or other ornaments worn by the women. Interpreters understand these earrings to be religious objects, perhaps amulets or magical charms.

Jacob hid them under the oak which was near Shechem: under is to be understood as under the branches and not beneath the trunk of the tree. Hid in this context means he buried them. The reference appears to be to the oak or terebinth of Moreh associated with Abraham in 12.6.

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 .