While I fetch a morsel of bread: while in English associates this clause with the invitation to rest as events that happen at the same time. However, other translations prefer a future here; for example, Good News Translation “I will also bring…,” Bible en français courant “I will serve you….” Fetch translates the verb rendered “bring” in verse 4, and suggests going away for the purpose of bringing something back.
A morsel of bread: the Hebrew expression means “a bit of bread” but follows the same use of understatement as in Gen 18.4. Neither Abraham nor his guests expect him to return with only a few small bits of bread. He means that he will go and get some food. Many languages use this same type of understatement in relation to food. However, if the literal expression will not be recognized in the manner Abraham intends, it is better to say, for example, “some food,” or “something for you to eat.” For similar uses of morsel of bread, see 1 Sam 2.36; 1 Kgs 17.11; Pro 28.21.
That you may refresh yourselves is literally “you [plural] will sustain your hearts.” The sense is “recover your strength,” “become strong again,” or as Good News Translation says, “it will give you strength.” In many languages there may be natural and idiomatic ways of talking about this feature of food, and they may be used here. For example, one translation has “… some food to make you feel good when you start your journey again.”
And after that you may pass on: that is, “so that you can continue your journey” or “so that you can go on your way.”
Since you have come to your servant: this clause may be understood as a confirmation of the previous invitation; that is, Abraham invites the men to accept his hospitality of water and food and rest, since they have come to his camp. In this sense we may translate “since you have come to my camp” or “now that you are here at my place.” This clause may be more natural, however, if it is used as the opening of the verse. Biblia Dios Habla Hoy gives an example: “Now that you have come by where your servant lives, I will bring you something to eat….” New English Bible, Revised English Bible take the clause to modify the word journey: “Afterwards you may continue the journey which has brought you my way.” Good News Translation makes it a separate sentence: “You have honored me by coming to my home, so let me serve you.” All of these are satisfactory models.
In cultures where there is a strong obligation of hospitality, it may not be necessary to explain everything for the readers. For example, one translation says this: “You have come to my camp. This [serving you] is my job.”
The three visitors accept Abraham’s invitation, which Revised Standard Version renders “Do as you have said. Good News Translation has adapted the reply to Abraham’s style by translating “Thank you; we accept.” The Hebrew word ken that is used here can mean “right” or “good,” and in fact it has the meaning “Yes” in modern Hebrew. Speiser, Revised English Bible, New International Version all render this as “Very well, ….” Some examples of what different translations say are “That’s good. Do as you have said”; “Thank you very much. We will be very happy to do that”; “Very well, go ahead.”
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 .