Defile yourselves: that is, make yourselves ritually unclean.

Any of these things: or “by committing any of these forbidden acts,” or “by violating any of these sexual prohibitions” [in the previous verses].

The nations: this term may be translated “heathen” (New English Bible) or “pagans” (Good News Translation). While it is literally rendered nations, it refers to those other nations who were not considered the people of God. Lists of these people are given in Genesis 15.19-21 and Deuteronomy 7.1. In this context it is possible to translate it as “those who are not my [the LORD’s] people.” The word is also used in 25.44; 26.33, 38, 45.

I: or “the LORD,” if indirect discourse is being used.

Am casting out before you: this implies that these people had been living in the land previously and that they will be removed so that the people of Israel may go in.

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 .