Verse 2 describes the transition of a nomadic people in three steps: departure from their old place of living, discovery of a new home, and settlement in it.
And as men migrated from the east: And translates the same form used as an opener in Gen 11.1. Here, however, it is a clause introducer followed by a verb and may often be rendered in English as “When,” “As,” or “And as.” In some languages, however, it is not possible to introduce new information in a subordinate clause. Men translates the masculine plural suffix “they”; the reference is to the people of verse 1 and should include women. Migrated translates a verb used in connection with pulling up tent pegs in Isa 33.20, part of the process of breaking camp or moving to another location. The picture is of a nomadic people moving from place to place to graze their herds. In some languages this has to be expressed as two actions: “they left where they were staying and went….”
From the east is rendered “in the east” by Good News Translation and New English Bible. New International Version has “moved eastward,” and the New Revised Standard Version footnote gives “migrated eastward” as another understanding of the Hebrew. Interpreters differ as to the direction of movement, and because the Hebrew is not precise, it is possible to understand “toward the east,” “from the east,” or “in the east.” East is often translated, like other directions, in terms of local geography, and in many languages in respect of the sun; that is, “from where the sun rises” or “in the land where the sun rises.”
Found a plain is the second stage in the migration of the people. The Revised Standard Version rendering suggests that they were searching for a place to settle; and if this interpretation is followed, it will affect the translation of the word found in some languages. But most versions have “came to” or “came upon,” which do not convey the idea of searching.
Plain translates a noun that refers to a wide valley or vast level ground, here lying between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, which were first mentioned in 2.14; land of Shinar is an expression referring to Babylonia. See comments on 10.10. Bible en français courant translates “a large valley in lower Mesopotamia.” New Jerusalem Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, and New American Bible translate “valley.” In many tropical areas valleys between mountain ranges are common, whereas large areas of flat land may be less familiar. In some areas the equivalent will be the “grasslands,” since these are not covered by forests. The name “Babylonia” is identified as a “country” or “region” in many translations.
And settled there is the third and final stage of the migration. Settled translates a verb whose unmarked meaning is “sit down.” In this context the meaning is to live, dwell, and in relation to a people who are making an area their permanent dwelling (they are about to build a city), settled is appropriate in English. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch retains the picture of a nomadic people by saying “After they departed from the east, they came to the country of Shinar and pitched their tents on the plain.” In some languages the idea of settled requires saying “They built their houses and lived…” or “They put down all their loads and planted their crops.” One translation says “They made their place [village] there.”
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 .