The order of the ideas in this verse may have to be shifted in languages where it is more natural to speak first of the fact that Tamar was put out of the house immediately, and then to describe what she was wearing.

Now: the conjunction used here serves only to connect the narrative with this parenthetic description of the kind of clothing Tamar was wearing. It need not be translated if the receptor language requires no transition word in this context.

A long robe with sleeves: the exact meaning of the two Hebrew words so translated is uncertain. The first Hebrew noun refers to a long, shirtlike tunic. But the exact sense of the second term is not clear. Some understand this to be a long tunic that reached to the ankles. Compare New American Bible, “a long tunic.” These same words are found in the story of Joseph (Gen 37.3, 23, and 32), where the same problem of meaning exists. The traditional rendering in both cases gives the impression of a “garment of divers colours” (King James Version) and is based on the ancient Greek rendering of these words. Essentially the same meaning is retained by New International Version, “a richly ornamented robe,” and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh, “an ornamented tunic.” But a slight majority of modern versions prefer the idea expressed by Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. Others, however, insist that the words are not intended to provide a description of the robe but to underline the social status of the person wearing it. So Traduction œcuménique de la Bible speaks of “a princely tunic,” and Knox has “the long robe of a princess.” Since the precise meaning is not clear, translators may wish to follow the example of Knox or Traduction œcuménique de la Bible.

For thus were the virgin daughters of the king clad: the verb form used here should indicate habitual action. It was the normal custom for daughters of the king to wear such clothing before they were married. In languages which have a special word for “daughters of a king” (such as “princesses”), that term should probably be used here.

Of old: the Hebrew actually has the word “[with] garments [or, robes]” here, and this is recommended by Hebrew Old Testament Text Project, which gives an {A} rating to the Masoretic Text. But several modern versions adopt the modified reading as in Revised Standard Version. By changing the vowels of the Hebrew word, the meaning “long ago” is attained. This is followed by New Revised Standard Version (“in earlier times”), New American Bible (“in olden days”), and New Jerusalem Bible (“in days gone by”). Translators are urged to follow the recommendation of Hebrew Old Testament Text Project and Critique Textuelle de l’Ancien Testament, and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh may serve as a model: “She was wearing an ornamented tunic, for maiden princesses were customarily dressed in such garments.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on the First and Second Books of Samuel, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2001. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .