Inherit: there is no idea of the usual meaning of the English word “inheritance” here. The verb is better translated “take possession of,” “take control of,” or “take over from another.”

A land flowing with milk and honey: this expression is well known in English but may be confusing in other languages. It is used four times in the book of Exodus (3.8, 17; 13.5; and 33.3) to describe the land of Canaan, which God promised the people of Israel. It indicates abundance and fertility. Most English versions translate it literally, but Mft comes closer to the meaning by making only a slight change of wording. His translation reads “abounding in milk and honey.” In other languages one may say “where there is plenty of milk and honey,” or more dynamically, “where there is plenty to eat and drink.” Good News Translation goes a step further with “this rich and fertile land,” but this is faithful to the meaning of the expression.

Separated you: this is the same root word as the one translated “make a distinction between” in the following verse. God has made his own people different from all others. He distinguished them from the surrounding groups of people. They are, therefore, “set apart from” all others (compare New Jerusalem Bible).

The peoples: this is not the same term used in 18.24, but the meaning is essentially the same. This refers to the Canaanites and all other groups not considered a part of the people of 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 .