But: showing the contrast with the actual seed mentioned in the previous verse.

If water is put on the seed: the soaking of the seed in water is seen by some commentators as preparation for planting, but others see it as preparing the seed to be eaten (see Bible en français courant). If the receptor language permits, it is probably best not to make too much explicit here, since we are not certain about the intention of the writer. In most cases it should be possible to translate “soaking in water” without indicating the purpose of this action.

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 .