So that: see the above discussion on the relationship between verses 40 and 41.

I walked contrary to them: the opposite of “walking contrary to me” in the previous verse. See also verse 21.

Brought them into the land of their enemies: again, this refers to the exile of the people of Israel (see verse 39).

If then: this probably means “if at that time” or “when that time comes, if….” But the exact meaning of these two words is unclear, and their interpretation is tied to the understanding of verses 40-41 as a whole. New Jerusalem Bible has simply “Then…” (see HOTTP, page 205).

Their uncircumcised heart: a literal translation of this expression would be very confusing in most languages. New English Bible has “stubborn spirit,” while Good News Translation leaves this element implicit at this point, but it is probably better to make it explicit in the receptor language. See the discussion under 19.23. Some other possible models are “if their [descendants’] hearts are changed…,” or “if they stop being so stubborn…,” or “if they unblock their hearts….”

Make amends for their iniquity: this phrase presents difficulties with regard to the understanding of both the verb, make amends, and the noun, rendered iniquity in Revised Standard Version, and consequently for the interpretation of the whole. A number of versions have adopted essentially the same interpretation as Revised Standard Version (New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible, and New American Bible). But the noun used here may mean either “guilt” or “punishment for guilt.” The idea of punishment seems more probable in this context, as in 5.1, 7; 10.17; and 16.22; as well as Genesis 4.13. The verb translated make amends in Revised Standard Version is sometimes used in the sense of “accept.” An example of this in Leviticus is God’s accepting a sacrifice in 1.4. Moffatt translates the whole phrase “submit to be punished for their sins,” while New English Bible has “accept their punishment in full,” leaving the idea of guilt implicit. It is especially significant that, while Jerusalem Bible (1966) rendered the whole phrase “atone for their sins,” the more recent New Jerusalem Bible (1985) has “accept the punishment for their guilt.” The latter interpretation is therefore recommended to translators.

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 .