And: while the Hebrew text has only the most common connecting word at the beginning of this verse, the content of what follows seems to indicate the need for a much stronger transition. Good News Translation tries to capture the emotion that must have been present by using the word “Suddenly….”

Fire came forth from before the LORD: this unusual expression was probably used to avoid saying directly “fire came from the LORD.” Good News Translation conveys the meaning with “the LORD sent a fire.” In some cases in the Old Testament, this word is used to refer to lightning (see Job 1.16, for example). The sending of fire to consume what was left on the altar was seen as a confirmation that the sacrifice was considered acceptable by God.

The fat upon the altar: some translators have found it necessary to state clearly the origin of these fatty parts, and have thus translated “the burnt offering and the fatty parts of the other sacrifices.”

The people: or “the people of Israel,” or “the Israelites.” It may be wise to make this explicit in translation.

Shouted: this verb is often used in the context of ritual observances and seems to represent a liturgical practice rather than disorder or fear. However, the people could have shouted spontaneously.

Fell on their faces: this common biblical expression often causes amusement or misunderstanding when translated literally into other languages. It involved bowing in such a way that the face actually touched the ground. In the Old Testament this gesture was an indication of the most profound and deepest respect before a superior. In this case the superior is God himself. Some languages will have words with similar connotations, while others may have to resort to something like “bowed down in respect” or “prostrated themselves to show that they honored him (or, 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 .