A sabbath of solemn rest: the term sabbath comes from the verb meaning “to abandon work” or “to rest.” It is similar to the word for “seven,” and it was on the seventh day that the LORD rested, following the work of creation. The basic meaning has to do with refraining from all work because of the special nature of the day. It is probably better in this context not to use a transliteration of the term but to translate dynamically, as in Good News Translation. Some have even proposed “it shall be a day of complete rest, like the Sabbath.” Compare 23.3.

Afflict yourselves: see verse 29.

A statute for ever: see verse 29. Compare also 3.17 and 10.9.

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 .