In verse 42 Jacob brings the accusations against his uncle to a close by telling how God has saved him from Laban’s mistreatment. Verse 42 begins with a conditional sentence that has several subjects in the “if” clause.

If the God of my father, the God of Abraham and the Fear of Isaac: it is important that readers understand that Jacob is referring here to one and the same God, not three different ones. It will often be possible to reduce the number of these expressions. Father in God of my father refers to Isaac, Jacob’s father. Isaac is mentioned again by name in Fear of Isaac. God of my father refers to the same person as God of Abraham. We may suggest reducing the first two expressions to “the God of my father and grandfather,” “the God of Isaac and Abraham,” or “the God my father and grandfather worshiped.”

We are still left with the expression Fear of Isaac. Fear translates a Hebrew word that seems strange when used in this manner in a title. Many modern versions translate Fear as a title, as does Revised Standard Version. Some translate it as a clause: “The God who made my father Isaac tremble” (Bible en français courant, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch), “The God my father Isaac worshiped” (Biblia Dios Habla Hoy); Good News Translation simply combines it with the previous noun clause, since it refers to “God” in any case: “God of Abraham and Isaac.” Note that Good News Translation also renders father in God of my father as “fathers,” referring to Abraham and Isaac.

To sum up, there are many possibilities for handling the three subjects in the “if” clause. However, it is possible to simplify these subjects. The choice depends upon matters of style and clarity. “If the God of my grandfather Abraham and my father Isaac…,” “If the God Abraham and Isaac worshiped…,” “If the God of my fathers Abraham and Isaac….” For those who prefer to keep Fear as a title, these models occur: Moffatt “awe,” Traduction œcuménique de la Bible “Terror”; New Revised Standard Version has “Fear” with a note “Meaning of the Hebrew uncertain.” One of the interpretations of the Hebrew word comes from a similar Arabic word and is “kinsman,” and this is used by New Jerusalem Bible.

Had not been on my side: that is, “had not taken care of me” or “had not protected me.” This condition is a contrary-to-fact condition; that is, things certainly did not happen this way—in fact “God surely was on my side.”

Surely now you would have sent me away empty-handed expresses the imaginary consequence of the contrary-to-fact condition. Now does not express a transition but refers here to the present time; that is, “by now,” “by this time.” Revised English Bible have “You would now have sent me away….” Empty-handed translates the word for empty idiomatically. Some other figurative expressions are “without one bean,” “with nothing but my sweat.”

In some languages there are markers that indicate that a condition is contrary-to-fact. In others translators may find that a literal translation of the first part of the verse gives entirely the wrong meaning. If this is the case, the actual meaning of the contrary-to-fact conditional structure may have to be expressed in a direct and positive way: “God took care of me, and so you were not able to send me away with nothing.” Another way of bringing out the meaning directly is “You wanted to send me away without anything, but God … was with me and you couldn’t do it.”

God saw my affliction: that is, “God saw how much I had suffered.” See Good News Translation.

And the labor of my hands: or “how hard I had worked.”

And rebuked you last night: and may here signal an additional thought, but it may be more suitable to mark this as a consequence; for example, “therefore,” “because of that,” “that is why.” Rebuke translates a verb meaning to judge or decide a case. Here the judgment is against Laban and in favor of Jacob. New English Bible says “last night he delivered his verdict.” We may also say, for example, “he showed you to be guilty,” “he said you were in the wrong,” or “he judged your case and found you guilty.”

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 .