The earthen vessel: a literal translation of the Revised Standard Version text may give the impression that a particular object is involved, since the definite article is used. But there is no doubt that this is a more general rule which applies to all containers made of clay, “Any clay pot.”

Every vessel of wood: this refers to any container of any kind that is made of wood. Compare 11.32-33.

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 .