It shall be should probably be translated as “They shall be,” since the reference is to the breast and thigh of the ram in verse 27. New Revised Standard Version has “These things,” and New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “and those parts.” But one may also say “This portion.” For Aaron and his sons includes future descendants of Aaron as well as his four sons, so New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “to Aaron and his descendants.”

As a perpetual due is literally “for an obligation [choq] of long time.” This frequent expression should be translated according to each context. (See the discussion on choq in the introduction to 20.22-26.) It may be understood as “a perpetual ordinance” (New Revised Standard Version), “a statute binding for all time” (Revised English Bible), “an irrevocable rule,” or “This law will never change” (Contemporary English Version). But here the focus is on the obligation of the people of Israel. Note that the text says from the people of Israel. Durham has “a share in perpetuity.”

For it is the priests’ portion is not in the Hebrew. Literally the Hebrew says “for it is a lifted offering.” As in verse 27, however, Revised Standard Version interprets this as the priests’ portion because it is to be a perpetual due (see above). To be offered by the people of Israel is literally “and it shall be a lifted offering from the sons of Israel.” Note that the word for “lifted offering” is repeated, giving the sense of present and future—as if to say “this is what it is, and this is what it shall be.” New Revised Standard Version has “for this is an offering; and it shall be an offering by the Israelites.” New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh is similar, using “gift” instead of “offering.”

From their peace offerings is literally “from sacrifices of their resolutions [or, agreements].” The word for “resolution” (shelem) is related to the word shalom, usually translated as peace, but more accurately rendered as “well-being” (New Revised Standard Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). Good News Translation regularly translates this as “fellowship offerings” (also New International Version), but others have “their communion sacrifices” (New Jerusalem Bible), “their shared-offerings” (Revised English Bible), and “their completion offerings” (Durham). This type of sacrifice is described in Leviticus 3. (See also the comment at 20.24.)

It is their offering to the LORD, literally “their lifted offering to [or, for] Yahweh,” is the third time the term “lifted offering” is used in this verse. This makes for a complex verse that usually should not be translated literally. Good News Translation has completely restructured, condensed, and changed the verse to first person, but the meaning is all there. Good News Translation expresses it this way: “The breast and the thigh of the animal” are “the peoples’ gift to the LORD,” who assigns them “to the priests.” (Yahweh is speaking.) The perpetual due then becomes “my unchanging decision” (Good News Translation).

It is possible to combine verse 27 and 28 in the following way:

• In the future, when any Israelite offers the breast and thigh of a ram to me, either to ordain a priest or to restore fellowship with other people, the meat is dedicated to me [or, belongs to me], and the priests are to eat it. This law will never change.

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 .