Then Jacob set out from Beer-sheba: Then, which translates the Hebrew connective, is a transition from the encounter with God at Beersheba to the trip to Egypt. If a term like Then showing subsequent action is insufficient, we may say, for example, “After God had spoken to him, Jacob left Beersheba and traveled [west] to Egypt.” A number of translations, however, take the connective to indicate a consequence: Jacob set out because God had reassured him. Anchor Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, and Revised English Bible all say “So Jacob set out.”

The sons of Israel carried Jacob … wagons: carried translates a verb meaning to “lift” or “carry.” However, it is the wagons and not Jacob’s sons that carry (transport) these people. We may say, for example, “Jacob’s sons loaded Jacob, their wives, and small children” or “Jacob’s sons made … ride in the wagons.” Some translations say simply “took their father…” (New International Version).

Which Pharaoh had sent to carry him: that is, “which the king of Egypt had sent for them to ride in.”

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 .