en_obs-tn/content/08/01.md

Many years later, when Jacob was an old man

This begins a new event. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent)

sent

This word means that Jacob told Joseph to go and Joseph went.

his favorite son

This phase refers to a social relationship—the favorite son who was born to him. This could be translated as: “the son he loved more than any of his other children.” (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession)

check on

This means that Joseph is to go and see if everything is all right with his brothers. Some languages might say something like: “to see about his brothers’ well-being.”

his brothers

These were Joseph’s older brothers.

were taking care of the flocks

Since this was several days’ journey away, it may be necessary to say: “who were far away taking care of…”