Thus Israel … Goshen: Thus, which in Revised Standard Version signals a result, translates the common Hebrew connective. However, this conclusion follows the explanation of the origin of the one-fifth tax on Egyptian crops, and verse 27 has no connection with that. For some translators the new subdivision heading helps separate the content of verses 27-31 from what went before. However, in some languages there needs to be a link back to the content of verses 11-12. In such cases we may establish this connection by saying, for example, “After Joseph had settled his father and brothers in the land of Goshen….”

The Hebrew text says Israel dwelt … they gained possessions. Dwelt is singular, to agree with Israel (Jacob), but gained is plural. Scholars explain the change to the plural as representing a different source text. Modern versions take two approaches to this problem. Some say “Israel … they” even though this violates the agreement between singular subject and plural pronoun. Others make Israel plural to agree with they; for example Good News Translation “Israelites … they.” Translators should not be so faithful to the Hebrew words that they create grammatical mistakes. Therefore it is recommended that translators follow Good News Translation. Israelites is sometimes expressed as “the people of Israel” or “Jacob’s people.”

They gained possessions in it: gained possessions translates a verb that means to “grasp” or “take hold” of something. In our context it refers to acquiring property or land. Good News Translation says more generally “became rich,” but this may not be appropriate if it suggests that Jacob and his family were not rich when they came to Egypt.

Were fruitful and multiplied exceedingly: see 1.22 and 17.20.

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 .