And Pharaoh said to Jacob: as in verse 3, the king takes the initiative to open the conversation with a question. In some languages a term of address is required before the actual question; for example, “Old man [respectful], how many….”

How many are the days of the years of your life?: the king may be struck by the vitality of Jacob or impressed by his weather-beaten features and advanced age. Jacob’s life as a herdsman in the open country was very different from that of the king in his palace. For the wording in the king’s question, see 25.7. Revised Standard Version translates the Hebrew form literally; however, the question should be asked in a natural manner, which in English is as in Good News Translation. In some languages a direct question about Jacob’s age will be seen as rude. It may be necessary to add, for example, “When the king saw he was very old, he inquired of Jacob….”

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 .