He came to a certain place: as the Hebrew sentence states literally, Jacob spends the night “in the place” because the sun had set. Note that Good News Translation says in its text “a holy place” and in its footnote “a place.” The presence of the definite article in the Hebrew may suggest that this spot was already known to be sacred, perhaps the location of a shrine. However, it is unlikely that the narrator has two meanings in mind. Jacob seems to be unaware that this place is sacred until after his dream (verse 16). Most modern translations say “a place” or “a certain place.” However, Revised English Bible has “a certain shrine.” It may be more satisfactory here to say “a special place.”

Stayed there that night: this translates a verb meaning to “pass the night,” “stop for the night.” Since the overnighting is outdoors, some languages have special terms to express this.

Because the sun had set: this suggests that Jacob had not chosen this spot but was there when it grew dark, and so had to spend the night. One translation that brings this out well says “On his way he came to a place just as the sun was setting, and he camped there for the night.”

Taking one of the stones of the place, he put it under his head: the stone served to rest his head on, and some translations compare it to a pillow; for example, Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “He took for a pillow one of the stones in that place,” Revised English Bible “… using it as a pillow,” New Jerusalem Bible “he made it his pillow.” Some translators may find it necessary to modify the order so that Jacob places the stone under his head after lying down; for example, “He lay down and put the stone under his head.” One clear and very brief translation of the last part of verse 11 is “He lay down, pillowed on a stone, and slept.”

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 .