Sent the long robe with sleeves: it is not clear whether the brothers sent the bloodied robe with a messenger or if they all took it to Jacob. It is best in many languages to continue the direct style of narrative and follow the model of Good News Translation: “They took the robe to their father.” In this verse the robe is given its full expression as in Gen 37.3. This is doubtlessly used by the narrator to call attention to the particular robe that had begun as a gift, created jealousy, and ended in revenge.

This we have found: that is, “We have found this robe.”

See now … or not: the question is asked politely in addressing their father: “Please see if this is your son’s robe or 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 .