Bela died, and Jobab … reigned: some translations say “When Bela died, … Jobab became king.”

Son of Zera of Bozrah: Jobab is identified as son of Zerah. Bozrah was an important town in Edom and is mentioned in Isa 63.1 and Amos 1.12. In translation it may be necessary to say, for example, “Zerah … from the town of Bozrah” or “Zerah who lived in the town called Bozrah.”

Reigned in his stead means reigned or ruled “in his place” or “after him,” after he had died. In some languages there are expressions that will be appropriate in this context, for taking over a position of leadership or ownership when an important person dies; in one language, for example, “Bela died and Jobab … took over from him” (literally “exchanged him”).

Note that Good News Translation does not repeat reigned in his stead in these verses but says once in verse 31 “ruled the land of Edom in succession,” that is, each king ruled after the other.

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 .