Said to Moses and Aaron: this is the same expression translated in Revised Standard Version by two verbs in 10.8, where only Aaron is the object, and by one verb in 11.1 and most other occurrences. See also 4.1.

A swelling: the meaning of this word is disputed by scholars. Some insist that it cannot mean swelling (Snaith, page 70), but it is so translated by Revised Standard Version, An American Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, New International Version, and New Jerusalem Bible. On the other hand, New American Bible has “scab,” New English Bible has “discoloration,” and Good News Translation has simply “a sore.” A more general term as in Good News Translation is probably best.

An eruption: this may mean either a single eruption, as a “boil” (Good News Translation) or “pustule” (New English Bible, New American Bible), or possibly more numerous eruptions in the same general area of the skin, which would be translated “a rash” (New Jerusalem Bible, New International Version).

A spot: the Revised Standard Version rendering is too vague. The term refers to a “shining spot” (Jerusalem Bible), “a white spot” (Moffatt), or a “bright spot” (New International Version) because it is inflamed. A better rendering is therefore “an inflammation” (Good News Translation and New English Bible) or an “inflamed spot” (An American Translation).

And it turns into: this phrase indicates that the disease on that part of the skin could possibly become more serious. Hence it is translated “may develop into…” (New English Bible), “may become…,” or “could develop into…” (New Jerusalem Bible and Good News Translation).

A leprous disease: literally “a mark of leprosy.” See the discussion of the issue of “leprosy” at the beginning of this chapter. Similar to the Good News Translation rendering seen above, New English Bible has “a malignant skin disease,” and New International Version has “an infectious skin disease” in this verse. Any of these is preferable to using the receptor-language word for “leprosy.”

He shall be brought: in place of this passive construction, some languages may have to say “they [indefinite] must bring him” or “someone must take him to the priest.”

To Aaron the priest or to one of his sons the priests: see 1.5. This long expression simply means one of the priests from the family of Aaron. The wording of New English Bible may be helpful to some translators: “either to Aaron or to one of his sons.” The word translated sons may also be understood to mean “descendants.”

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 .