On the seventh day is a bit surprising, for it is still the same day as the day described in verses 25-26. Many translations begin a new paragraph here, since the instructions have ended and the reaction of some of the people begins. This verse also marks a literary seam, for verses 27-30 probably come from a different tradition. (See the discussion on “Sources” in “Translating Exodus,” page 2.) Some translations use a word like “Nevertheless” (New International Version), “Still” (New American Bible), or “Yet” (New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh), to make a smoother transition. One may even say “However, on that same day.”

Some of the people went out is literally “they went out from the people,” but it means “[some] from the people went out.” Contemporary English Version interprets this to mean “A few of the Israelites did go out….” To gather is the same word used in the previous verses. And they found none is literally “and they did not find.”

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .