Haran died before his father: before translates a Hebrew idiom “before the face of,” which means “while his father was still living.”

In the land of his birth: land is used here as a general expression to be followed by more detailed information. Land of his birth is used also in 24.7; 31.13, and may mean “land of his ancestors” or “land of his kinsmen.” Speiser translates it “his native land.” We may also say “in the country [nation] where he was born.” Good News Translation “in his hometown” means in the town where he was born and raised.

Ur of the Chaldeans is taken by some to refer to the southern Babylonian city of Uru, which was excavated by archaeologists and found to have an advanced culture and to be a great commercial center. Other scholars object that Abram, who lived in a tent and followed his herds, should not be identified with a city. They prefer to place Ur in northern Babylonia. There can be no certainty about the nature of and location of Ur. Good News Translation has chosen to call it Haran’s “hometown” in this verse and “city” in verse 31. Translators who must classify Ur may follow Good News Translation or be more general with “place called Ur.” The Septuagint always translates the expression as “land of the Chaldeans.” Chaldeans translates Hebrew kasdim, which refers to the people of Babylonia.

Verse 28 may be rendered, for example, “Before Terah died his son Haran died first. He died in the place called Ur in the country of Babylonia. That was where he was born.” Some languages may find it necessary to say “Haran was born in a place called Ur in the country called Babylonia. He died there before Terah his father died.”

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 .