The sun rose upon him: that is, “the sun was rising” or “the sun was coming up.” For reasons of style this clause may be better placed after the clause containing the verb passed.

As he passed Penuel: passed may mean “passed through,” “passed by,” or “crossed over.” The Hebrew verb is the same as was used for crossing the ford of the Jabbok stream in verse 22. It may mean that Jacob now crossed the ford to join his family and go in the direction from which he expected Esau; see comments on verses 22 and 23. However, no major English translation translates the verb as “crossed over.” In other languages many translations do the same as Good News Translation: “The sun rose as Jacob was leaving Peniel.”

In the Hebrew Penuel is spelled differently than in verse 30. This is the spelling found in such passages as Judges 8.8 and 9; 1 Kgs 12.25. Some translations keep the two spellings in verses 30 and 31, and some use only one spelling in both places. Because both refer to the same place and occur close together in the text, the Handbook recommends using one spelling. The question then is, which spelling? The spelling used in verse 31 occurs eight times in the Old Testament, whereas that in verse 30 is used only once. It is recommended, therefore, that Penuel be the form used in both verses 30 and 31.

Limping because of his thigh: because of may need to be rendered so that the reason is more concrete. For example, “Jacob was limping because his hip was injured” or “the opponent had injured Jacob’s hip, and he was limping as he walked.”

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 .