The maiden was very fair to look upon: maiden translates the feminine form of the word used for Abraham’s young men in 14.24; the same Hebrew word appears in verse 14. She has reached marriageable age. Very fair to look upon is literally “very fair of face,” which may be rendered, for example, “She was a very pretty girl,” “… a lovely young woman,” “… had an attractive appearance.”

A virgin refers, as the context makes clear, to a young woman who has not had sexual intercourse.

Whom no man had known: known as an expression for sexual relations was used in 4.1. See there for comments. In this context Good News Translation says “and still a virgin,” which clearly means that she had not yet had sexual relations.

She went down to the spring: spring again replaces “well.” See recommendation in verse 13. The spring or well is located in an area lower than the place where the servant is.

Filled her jar: it is not stated whether this is done by lowering the jar into the well or dipping from it.

And came up: that is, came back up to the place she had gone down from.

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 .