And: it may be better here to use a transition word like “But” (New Jerusalem Bible), “However,” or perhaps an expression like “On the other hand.” The case described in verses 12 and 13 contrasts with what was seen in the previous verse.

Breaks out in the skin: literally “breaking out it breaks out” or “spreading it spreads.” The Hebrew expression is one that uses two forms of the same verb stem for emphasis. Some languages have similar constructions that may be used here, but others will have to resort to adverbs which produce expressions like “really spreads” or “breaks out very much,” or a stronger verb like “flourishes” or “runs rampant.” The words “break out” may be misleading in some languages, since the idea is not the eruption of an open sore, but extending over a wide area.

From head to foot: this expression indicates the entire body. Other languages may have different ways of saying the same thing, such as “from top to bottom” or some other expression. And in some cases it may even be necessary to add the expression “the whole body” for the sake of clarity.

So far as the priest can see: the priest can only see those parts of the body that are not covered. This is why he must further examine the person to determine whether the parts of the body covered by clothing are also affected by the disease.

Make an examination: in this case it may be better to translate “examine him carefully” or “do a detailed examination (on the person).” Good News Translation adds the word “again” here, since the person has already been examined once in verse 10.

It has all turned white: when the disease spreads over the entire surface of the body, it is an indication that it has run its course. White scabs form and eventually fall off.

Shall pronounce him clean: although this condition is also called “leprosy” in many versions, it is a skin condition that is not considered serious and does not require separation from the community. The person is pronounced clean, since his symptoms are different. It is the priest who decides whether a skin problem is serious enough to require isolation.

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 .