But: in Hebrew this verse begins with an adverb which indicates at the same time contrast and emphasis. This has been left implicit in Good News Translation because a new paragraph begins here. It is possible in some languages to convey the essential idea of this adverb by beginning “However…” (An American Translation) or “Note that…” (New American Bible). New Jerusalem Bible has “A firstling of animals, however….” And Jerusalem Bible restructures the verse somewhat, to begin the verse “No one, however, may consecrate the first-born of his cattle, for it belongs to Yahweh by right….”

Firstling: this refers to the first offspring born of a female animal. If the receptor language has a special term for the first-born animal, it should be used here.

Belongs to the LORD: Good News Translation brings out the underlying fact that the animal “already” belongs to God. This is why it could not be further “dedicated.” Compare Exodus 13.2 and 34.19.

Whether ox or sheep: for the terminology used to refer to these animals, see 1.2, 10 and 4.10. If the receptor language has specific terms for the newborn or the very young of these animals (male and female), they should be used here. Compare 7.23.

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 .