By following closely the Hebrew wording, Revised Standard Version obscures the picture of this list. In order to avoid unnecessary repetitions, the Handbook recommends that translators restructure verses 40-43 along the lines followed by Good News Translation. Good News Translation begins by shifting Esau, the father of Edom from verse 42 to the opening of the combined verses. Because the list speaks of Esau as the father, meaning “founder” or “ancestor,” Good News Translation says “Esau was the ancestor of….” Because the names of the clans or tribes occur in three verses, Good News Translation speaks of “the following tribes,” beginning with Timna and ending with Iram. Because dwelling places occurs in both verses 40 and 43, these two occurrences are reduced to one by placing this information in the final sentence.

We may also suggest another model for translating verses 40-43:

• Here are the names of the clans of Edom: Timna … Iram. Those are the ancestors of the Edomite clans. Each one settled in a different region of their country. Esau was the ancestor of all the Edomites.

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 .