Command them also: the king says this to Joseph. As the Revised Standard Version footnote shows, the Hebrew text has “you are commanded”; Revised Standard Version follows the Septuagint and theVulgate. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project, which rates the Hebrew as a {B}, says the verb to command has a causative meaning, “to charge someone to give orders,” and is here used in a passive form that may be rendered “You have been charged to give orders,” that is, “do like this.” Whether the translator follows Revised Standard Version or the Hebrew text, the sense is essentially the same. Note Good News Translation “Tell them…,” which is a good model.

Do this: see verse 17.

Take wagons from the land of Egypt for your little ones and for your wives: the Hebrew word translated wagons refers to two- or four-wheeled carts pulled by work animals, usually oxen or donkeys. The “chariot” described in 41.43 is different, in that it was used in battle, had only two wheels, and was pulled by fast-moving horses. In areas where chariots and wagons are unknown, it may be difficult without illustrations for readers to understand the difference between these two vehicles. In some languages it may be necessary to use the same word as was used to translate “chariot” in 41.43, and render “wagon” as “big chariot,” or “big cart.” One language that uses the same word for both is French; Traduction oecuménique de la Bible, however, gives an explanation of the difference in its footnote.

It may not be clear why these wagons are said to be for your little ones and for your wives. This may be the case particularly in areas where a woman is expected to walk and carry her small child. In such cases we may need to say, for example, “… for your wives and small children to ride in.” For little ones see 43.8.

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 .