He went out the next day: in this context it is possible to say “The next day he returned to the same place.” For he went out see the comment at verse 11. Behold translates the same word discussed at 1.9. Although most English translations seem to omit it, the element of surprise is often indicated by word order or punctuation. New American Bible, for example, has “and now two Hebrews were fighting!” (Note the “now” and the “!”) One commentary suggests translating “to his surprise.” This will be a good place to employ an ideophone as described at 2.6.

The word for struggling together or “fighting” means “to quarrel.” The idea of “fighting” is indicated by Moses’ question, Why do you strike your fellow? This is the same word discussed above in verses 11 and 12. The word for fellow sometimes means “friend” or “companion.” It is clear that the two men were both Hebrews, but it is possible that the man that did the wrong was a Hebrew foreman who was beating a Hebrew laborer. It is not certain whether this man was beating him with a rod or stick, or simply punching him. Either interpretation is possible. Other ways to express this clause are “the man who was hitting [with a rod or stick] the other one” or “the man who was punching the other one.” (For the distinction between Hebrew foremen and Egyptian taskmasters, see 5.13-14 and the comment at 1.11a.) But “fellow Hebrew” or “kinsman” (New Jerusalem Bible) is the intended meaning in Moses’ question.

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 .