Then you shall take part of the blood is almost identical with the clause in verse 20. Part of the blood is literally “from the blood.” The blood that is on the altar probably refers to the blood of the second ram that has just been thrown on the altar. And of the anointing oil is literally “and from the oil of the anointing,” as in verse 7. This refers to the special oil described in 30.23-25. And sprinkle it refers to the mixture of blood and anointing oil, although the pronoun it is only implied. It will be helpful for translators to make this information explicit by saying, for example, “then take some of the blood from the altar and mix it with the oil used for ordaining the priests….” The word for sprinkle, used only here in Exodus, is in the causative form, meaning “to cause to be spattered.” However, in many languages a word similar to “sprinkle” will give the meaning clearly.

Upon Aaron and his garments suggests that this was to be done to Aaron first, as well as to his clothes, that is, his “vestments” (New Revised Standard Version). And upon his sons and his sons’ garments with him is quite literal and may sound like repetition. But the text suggests that this was done to his sons after it had been done to Aaron. This is supported by what follows: And he and his garments shall be holy. This refers just to Aaron first of all. And his sons and his sons’ garments with him are then included as becoming holy, that is, “set apart” (Durham), or “consecrated” (New Jerusalem Bible, New International Version). So Good News Translation says “He, his sons, and their clothes will then be dedicated to me.” Since Yahweh is speaking, Good News Translation has “dedicated to me.” In languages that do not use the passive voice, one may say “In this way you will dedicate Aaron, his sons, and their clothes to me.”

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .