They shall eat those things refers to the meat of the ram and the unleavened bread (verses 31-32). With which atonement was made is literally “which [it] is covered over by them,” meaning “by which [their sin] was covered over.” The reference to “sin” is implied by the verb. The English word “atone” is a combination of the words “at one,” with the meaning of two persons becoming reconciled with one another. In the Old Testament atonement was understood as the means by which the people could be reconciled to God whenever the terms of the covenant were broken. Offering animal sacrifices to Yahweh was the most important way by which this relationship was restored. Since Yahweh was the one who established the laws of sacrifice, the people understood that he therefore would not punish them as they deserved. The Hebrew verb translated as atonement was made is a passive verb that implies the covering over, or the forgiveness, of sins. The meaning therefore is that the ram and the unleavened bread, offered as sacrifices “in the ritual of forgiveness” (Good News Translation), will “cover over,” or atone for, their sins. Aaron and his sons therefore were to “eat what was used” (Good News Translation) in these sacrifices. (See the comment on “forgive” at 10.17, where the same verb, “cover,” is used.)

To ordain and consecrate them is literally “to fill their hand and to make them holy.” This refers to the purpose of the sacrifices. (See the comment on both terms at 28.41.)

But an outsider shall not eat of them is literally “and a strange [person] shall not eat.” The words of them are added. The word for outsider here refers to an “unauthorized person” (New Jerusalem Bible), or “lay person” (Revised English Bible). In other words, “Only priests may eat this food” (Good News Translation), or “only they have the right to eat it” (Contemporary English Version). The reason is clear: because they are holy, that is, because the meat and the bread are “sacred” (Good News Translation); they have been set aside from ordinary use for use in the things relating to Yahweh. Note that the same root word appears in consecrate as in holy.

An alternative translation model for this verse is:

• They [Aaron and his sons] shall eat this food that you use when you perform the ceremony for asking me to forgive their sins. It is the food you offer when you ordain them. They are the only people who have the right to eat this food, because it has been dedicated 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 .