This verse corresponds to verse 5 above, but gives added information not found in the section on cattle sacrifice. The ritual slaughter of the animal takes place on the north side of the altar, which corresponds to the instructions given in Ezekiel 40.38-43. In the sanctuary of the desert, as later in the ideal Temple of Ezekiel and in Herod’s Temple, the altar seems to have been placed right in front of the main entrance, which was situated on the east. In the Temple of Solomon it was shifted to the right, which would be on the north. The slaughter on the north side of the altar therefore was performed with a certain measure of discretion behind the altar (compare Ezek 40.38-39, where the slaughter took place in a room off the northern entrance). In the translation of this verse it is essential to take into account the system of directions in the receptor language, and particularly the viewpoint of the writer, which may be the sanctuary in this case. In some cases it may be preferable to translate “on the north side of the altar of sacrifice, which is located in front of the Tent of the LORD’s presence.”

Directions are particularly difficult to express in some languages. The rising and setting of the sun often provide terms for east and west and an orientation for other directions. North becomes “to the right when facing the setting sun” and south is “to the left when facing the setting sun.” But such expressions are often quite awkward to fit into a context such as this, where the orientation for “right” and “left” is based on the altar and not the sun. Other languages take their bearings from the direction of a river, so that “north” is the equivalent of “up river” and “south” is “down river.” Great care should be taken in seeking to render directions according to the common usage in the receptor language, and checking with the average reader or hearer is essential.

Before the LORD: this is left implicit in Good News Translation, but naturalness in the receptor language should determine whether it is included in the translation.

Throw its blood: see verse 5.

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 .