As in verse 42 the divine subject is given as the God of … three times. Note, however, that Good News Translation does not have the third element the God of their father. This expression is lacking in some Hebrew manuscripts and in the Septuagint. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project supports Good News Translation‘s omission. Abraham is the grandfather of Jacob and Nahor the grandfather of Laban. Consequently Biblia Dios Habla Hoy says “May the God of your [Jacob’s] grandfather Abraham and he [the God] of my grandfather Nahor decide between us.”

Judge between us: for judge see 16.5. In this context the sense may be “give a decision in the case of trouble between us” or “make sure that we-two keep the agreement we have made.” The verb judge in the Hebrew text is plural. It appears that the text treats the two God of … as distinct. This is supported by Josh 24.2: “Your fathers lived of old beyond the Euphrates, Terah, the father of Abraham and Nahor; and they served other gods.”

So Jacob swore by the Fear of his father Isaac: So, which signals a consequence, may be better replaced by a word like “Then,” pointing to a subsequent action taken by Jacob. For swore see 14.22; 21.23, 24. See Good News Translation “solemnly vowed.” For Fear of … Isaac see verse 42.

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 .