Now therefore, my son, obey my voice: Now therefore represents a transition and a consequence of Esau’s plan to kill Jacob. Obey my voice is literally “hear my voice.” See Gen 27.8. Note Good News Translation “do what I say.”

Arise, flee to Laban my brother in Haran: arise does not suggest that Jacob is sitting or lying when he is addressed by his mother. Arise here means “get ready,” “hurry,” “go at once.” Flee means to “go quickly,” “escape.”

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 .