And: while the common conjunction is used in Hebrew, the context seems to require a stronger transition word here in order to emphasize the connection between this verse and the previous one. Good News Translation has “In this way….” New English Bible has “and so….”

Hallow: or “set … apart” (Good News Translation), “declare … sacred” (New Jerusalem Bible), “consecrate” (New International Version). See 11.44 and 21.8.

Proclaim liberty: if possible this should be translated by a very general term that can be understood as referring to the release of lands which owners have had to sell (see the end of this verse), as well as to freedom for slaves. Or, in some cases, two verbs may be required.

Jubilee: the Hebrew word originally meant “ram” (see Josh 6.5) but by extension was also applied to the “ram’s horn” that was used as a musical instrument (Exo 19.13). Finally, it was also used of the celebration of the Year of Restoration which was characterized by the blowing of the ram’s horn. See also the discussion above under the section heading. In this verse one may translate “It will be a time of restitution for you.” Translators are advised against transliterating the English word.

Return to his property: the context indicates that what is involved here is property that has had to be sold during difficult times. The former owner was allowed during this special year to retake possession of his land. The translation should not give the impression of someone who merely pays a visit to the land he once owned. Compare the more explicit rendering of Good News Translation. Another way of saying this is “they will give back to the man who sold it, or to his children, all land that he sold.”

Return to his family: as in the case of the property, this is not a brief visit to members of the family, but a definitive release from slavery; it is a permanent return to be a part of the clan that the person had left when he became a slave. On the extended meaning of the Hebrew word translated family, see 20.5.

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 .