To his father and to his brothers: note that Good News Translation has “to his father” but omits to his brothers; Good News Translation follows the Septuagint, which omits to his brothers, information already stated in Gen 37.9. Revised Standard Version follows the Hebrew text. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project has no evaluation of this problem. Anchor Bible is of the opinion that to his brothers has been added by later copyists. Translators may follow either Revised Standard Version or Good News Translation but should be guided mainly by what is most natural in their own languages. Some translations make a link between verses 9 and 10 by beginning verse 10 “After that he told his father” or “He also told it to their father.”

His father rebuked him: rebuked means “scolded,” “corrected,” “reprimanded.”

What is this dream that you have dreamed?: Revised Standard Version translates this question literally; in most languages, however, the repetition dream that you have dreamed will be reduced to the simple term “dream.” The question is clearly rhetorical and expresses Jacob’s anger; in many languages it would be something like “What kind of dream is that?” The question form may need to be changed to a negative statement in some languages; for example, “You should not tell dreams like that” or “That is not the kind of dream you should tell people.”

Shall I and your mother and your brothers … before you?: Joseph’s symbolism of sun and moon in verse 9 as well as Jacob’s response in verse 10 seems to suggest that Rachel, Joseph’s mother, is still alive. However, according to 35.19 Rachel died and was buried much earlier, on the road from Bethel to Bethlehem. The reference may be to Leah as the female head of the family, or to Bilhah, Rachel’s maid, who may have become “mother” to Joseph after Rachel died; in many languages, however, a personal name should not be used in this context.

Jacob’s question is again rhetorical. Note how it has been kept as a rhetorical question in Good News Translation. This question expects a negative answer; for example, “Do you think your mother and I … bow down before you? We will not.”

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 .