Ten of his master’s camels is literally “ten camels of his master’s camels,” which Revised English Bible translate “ten camels of his master’s herds.” For discussion of “camel” see 12.16.

The word translated departed in Revised Standard Version occurs in the Hebrew but does not fit in the sentence, because the same verb occurs later in the same sentence. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project recommends it be omitted; however, this will depend on the structure of the translator’s language.

Taking all sorts of choice gifts from his master: taking is supplied by Revised Standard Version. The Hebrew text has “and all good things of his master were in his hand.” Hebrew Old Testament Text Project rates the Hebrew as {A} and says the sense of “and all good things” is that the servant took ten camels “and all the best things of the master.” “Best things” refers to gifts from Abraham to his relatives in Mesopotamia. Good News Translation interprets this clause to refer to the servant “who was in charge of Abraham’s property.” Most modern translations follow the interpretation of Revised Standard Version, and this is the one recommended by the Handbook. Some translations include in the rendering of all sorts of choice gifts “… to give to them there.”

And he arose, and went to Mesopotamia: see discussion of arose followed by another verb of action in 13.17. In English this expression is most naturally translated “he went,” “he set out for.” Mesopotamia translates Hebrew ʾaram-naharaim (as also in Deut 23.4; Judges 3.8). ʾAram refers to the country of the Arameans, which at that time extended from Mesopotamia to northern Syria. Naharaim means “two rivers” and refers to the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in modern Iraq. The whole expression appears to mean “that part of Aram that is between the two rivers,” which Speiser calls “Central Mesopotamia.” In some translations the information “a long way to the north” is given with to Mesopotamia, to help readers who are not familiar with the geography of that part of the world.

To the city of Nahor: this may refer to the city in which Abraham’s brother had lived, or to the place by that name in the district of Haran. Good News Translation understands it to be “the city where Nahor had lived in northern Mesopotamia.” Bible en français courant says “the city of Nahor in upper Mesopotamia.” Either interpretation is acceptable.

In transliteration none of these place names will be recognizable by many readers. However, we may help the reader by saying “to the city called Nahor in the region called Mesopotamia” or “to the town where Abraham’s brother Nahor lived in the area of Mesopotamia.” The map of the Ancient World, page 18, shows Mesopotamia and Haran in relation to the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. If footnotes are used, we may say, for example, “Nahor is in the area of Haran in what is now known as northern Iraq.”

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 .