Verses 11-16 present a somewhat disjointed text in which subjects introduced are tied together by an association of ideas instead of being handled in a logical, systematic way. Grammatically there is a switch from the second person plural (in verses 11-12) to the second person singular (in verses 13-15). Because of the nature of modern English, this shift is not seen in our translations, but in King James Version it is apparent in the use of “ye” for the plural and “thou/thy” for the singular. This kind of shift is common in Old Testament texts and is thought by some scholars to reflect different source documents. However, what is important in translation is to decide whether or not the persons referred to by these pronouns are the same or different. Since they are thought to be the same, the translation must reflect that fact and avoid confusing the reader. Some languages will use the singular throughout while others will have the plural. Naturalness in the receptor language will determine the translator’s choice.
No cereal offering … shall be made with leaven: the word for leaven (“yeast”) here is not the same as in verse 4 above. The previous verse has a word meaning “bread made without yeast.” In this verse two other words are used. The first literally means “that which is sour” (a very similar word is used in Hebrew for “vinegar”), and the second is the name of the product (yeast) that causes things to ferment or to become sour. The first term is translated in New English Bible as “anything that ferments,” which brings out the general nature of the word in Hebrew. The second term is then specifically translated leaven. After understanding the ideas involved, translators should simply translate them as naturally as possible in their language.
Honey: this word is used both of honey from bees and a kind of concentrated fruit syrup made from raisins or dates. In the context of this chapter on grain offerings, the second meaning is preferred by some scholars, but most simply translate it honey. Honey and yeast are to be understood here as two separate items and not as a mixture. However, they are mentioned together probably because they both involve fermentation. Some languages distinguish between honey found in the forest and that which is bought in stores. In this context the term for natural wild honey is clearly more appropriate.
The point of forbidding the offering of yeast and honey was that they could not be burned. Things that ferment, like the blood of the animals offered in sacrifice (see 17.11), were thought to have a life of their own and were therefore excluded from those items that could be offered by fire to God.
Quoted with permission from Péter-Contesse, René and Ellington, John. A Handbook on Leviticus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1990. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .