You: see remarks on verse 5 above.

Two rows: the term used here is a general one for “arrangements” and may be understood as rows (as in most versions), or some other kind of arrangement such as “piles” (New American Bible, Bible en français courant, Traduction oecuménique de la Bible, and Moffatt) or “lots” (An American Translation). The dimensions of the table were less than a meter long and a half meter wide according to Exodus 25.23, and so some have argued that it would have been impossible to make two rows of loaves of this size. Further, the order is given in verse 7 to sprinkle incense “on each arrangement.” If the loaves had been arranged individually in rows, the writer would probably have said “on each loaf.” The solution “two piles” is therefore probably to be preferred.

Table of pure gold: literally “a pure table.” The problem here is identical with the “pure lampstand” in verse 4. New English Bible translates “the table, ritually clean….” The two problems should be solved in the same manner. If the pure gold solution is followed, it will be possible to say “covered with pure gold” (as in Good News Translation) rather than “made of pure gold.” Compare Exodus 25.24 and 31.8.

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 .