And you shall beat some of it very small is literally “and you [singular] shall grind [or, pound] from it crushingly.” It means simply “Beat part of it into a fine powder” (Good News Translation). For some translators the idea of “grind into a fine powder” will be more natural. And put part of it before the testimony means that part of what is pounded into a powder is to be placed in front of the ark of the covenant, “the Covenant Box” (Good News Translation), or “the sacred chest” (Contemporary English Version). It is not clear whether this “powder” was to be sprinkled or stored for future use. The word for put simply means to place. So Good News Translation “sprinkle it in front of the Covenant Box” (similarly Contemporary English Version) is a questionable interpretation.

In the tent of meeting is obviously a reference to the small tent of the tabernacle, even though the Hebrew has ʾohel moʿed instead of mishkan. As explained at 27.21, there are several options for the translator. (See the discussion on these two terms there.) Where I shall meet with you is literally “where I will appear to you [singular] there.” The verb used also means “to keep an appointment,” as in 25.22. (See the comment there.) It shall be for you most holy is literally “holy of holies it shall be to you [plural].” Good News Translation has “Treat this incense as completely holy,” which is fine, but it does not show that the pronoun “you” changes from singular to plural. One may say “You must all treat this incense as completely holy” or “Be sure that all of you treat this incense as something very holy.”

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 .