And Jacob told Rachel: what Jacob told Rachel may need to be shifted to direct speech, “I am…,” as in Good News Translation. Jacob’s announcement is the narrative climax of this whole episode; and even in languages that naturally use indirect speech, direct speech may be more natural or appropriate in this context.

Kinsman translates the Hebrew “brother,” but a general term such as “relative” or “kinsman” is preferred in English. We may also give the actual relationship and say, for example, “cousin” or “your father’s sister’s son.”

Rebekah’s son: since Rebekah is Rachel’s aunt (father’s sister), we may translate this part of verse 12, for example, “Jacob told Rachel ‘I am your father’s nephew and the son of your aunt Rebekah.’ ” In some cultures it is required that, in an introduction like this, the speaker relates himself or herself directly to the hearer; so the translation may have Jacob say “I am Rebekah’s son. Your father is my uncle.”

Ran and told her father may need to be modified to say “She ran and told her father what Jacob had said.”

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 .