They: the pronoun refers to the whole community of Israel; it will be better translated as a noun phrase in many languages; for example, “The people of Israel” (Good News Translation).
Satyrs: the English word found in Revised Standard Version, An American Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, and Moffatt suggests several meanings (including “a lecherous man”), none of which is really appropriate here. The Hebrew word actually means “goats” and is so translated by at least three French translations. But it refers to something more than an ordinary goat. It is a kind of demonic being in the form of a goat. Therefore it is rendered “goat demons” by Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, and New American Standard Bible. King James Version and New English Bible have simply “demons,” but this leaves out a significant element. The New International Version rendering “goat-idols” seems to imply something less lively than the context requires. The Living Bible rendering “evil spirits” is inaccurate. Translators should consider “demons that look like goats” or something similar. Compare “Azazel” in 16.8, 10, 26, as well as Isaiah 13.21; 34.14.
Play the harlot: this is a common expression in the Old Testament to speak of unfaithfulness toward God. The LORD expects the undivided loyalty and complete love of his people (see Exo 20.4-6). A person who worships or makes sacrifices to another god while claiming loyalty to the LORD, is like a man committing adultery, who betrays his wife and is unfaithful to his promise. This is why the Old Testament uses this image so often (see, for example, Exo 34.15-16 and the whole theme of the book of Hosea). This image has added significance in light of the fact that many pagan cults at the time practiced “temple prostitution” (see 19.29 and Hos 1.2). In many languages it will probably be better to drop the image and translate the meaning directly—something like “be unfaithful” or “deny your love.” But in other languages it may be possible to retain the image and convey the meaning: “be unfaithful to the LORD, like a man cheating on his wife.”
A statute for ever: see 3.17; 10.9; 16.29, 31.
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 .