The whole story of Jacob’s journey, which extends from 28.10 to 29.14, only makes two references to Jacob traveling: in 28.10 and here. So this verse picks up the action from 28.10, continuing Jacob’s journey from Bethel after the dream he had there. This verse in fact covers the rest of Jacob’s traveling from Bethel to Haran.

Then Jacob went on his journey is literally “Jacob lifted up his feet and went.” If this is an idiom, it is found only here. The sense is as given in both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. Went on means he left Bethel and continued his journey toward Haran his destination. We may translate, for example, “After that Jacob went on toward Haran” or “Then Jacob continued on his journey” (New International Version). Another model is “Jacob set out again….”

Came to the land of the people of the east is literally “to the land of the sons of the east.” The reference is to the land that lay to the east (in this case northeast) of Canaan, that is, Mesopotamia. The expression is also used broadly of the people living east and northeast of Canaan, such as Moab, Ammon, and Gilead, as seen in Judges 6.3, 33; Isa 11.14; Jer 49.28. In some languages this expression is rendered by descriptive terms; for example, “people who live where the sun rises,” “people where the big river flows.” New English Bible/Revised English Bible say “land of the eastern tribes.” In the context of the story that follows, the geographic location east is not as significant as the fact that Jacob came to another country, where the people had different customs from those of Canaan.

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 .