And Jacob came to Luz (that is, Bethel): the opening of verse 6 may require a transition such as “Later” or “In a few days.” For Luz and its relation to Bethel, see comments on 28.19. In that verse it was explained that the older name of the place was Luz or, as Good News Translation says, “Luz, which is now known as Bethel.” This is a good translation model.

Which is in the land of Canaan: land may be translated “country” or “region.” There may be a problem here in some languages, because this clause is taken to mean that the destination Bethel is in a different country or region from Shechem, where the journey starts. If this is the case translators may have to say something like “… also in the region of Canaan” or “… still within the country of Canaan.”

Since there are three place names together here, some adjustments may be required to link them in a meaningful way. We may say, for example, “He arrived in the place called Luz, also called Bethel, in the region of Canaan” or “… to the place called Luz in the country of Canaan. That place has another name now, Bethel.”

He and all the people who were with him: this clause may need to be shifted forward to the beginning of the verse. For example, “Jacob and his people came….”

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 .