Take it from their half: The Hebrew text lacks the pronoun it. Revised Standard Version supplies this pronoun to refer back to the “tribute” in verse 28. Good News Translation helpfully begins a new sentence here and supplies the pronoun “them,” referring to all the living beings in verse 28. It depends on the language of translation which of these alternatives is more natural. Translators must also ensure that the referent for it or “them” is clear in the context of reading this text aloud. The pronoun their refers to “the men of war” in verse 28.

And give it to Eleazar the priest as an offering to the LORD: The priests were to receive the tax or levy that the soldiers paid. Again, Revised Standard Version supplies the pronoun it, which is not in the Hebrew text. Offering renders the Hebrew word terumah, which has the wide, general meaning of “contribution,” “gift,” or “donation” (see 5.9). Here it may be translated “special contribution” (Good News Translation) or “special donation.” Since the LORD is still speaking, to the LORD may be rendered simply “to me.”

Quoted with permission from de Regt, Lénart J. and Wendland, Ernst R. A Handbook on Numbers. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .