Make my abode among you: the word translated abode here is the same as rendered “tabernacle” in 8.10; 15.31; and 17.4. In fact, New English Bible translates here “establish my Tabernacle,” and Good News Translation has “sacred Tent,” but most versions have “dwelling (place)” or “abode.” The meaning is that God will take up residence among the people of Israel. Moffatt approaches this idea with “I will pitch my tent among you.” But one may also consider “I will make my home with you” or “I will come to live with you.”

My soul: this is simply an idiomatic way of saying I or “I myself” that is very common in Hebrew poetry and some types of prose. A literal rendering of the word soul is surely misleading in many languages, but the use of this term does sometimes connote deep feelings and is stronger than a simple pronoun. See 4.2.

Abhor you: the verb here gives the idea “despise,” “reject,” or “treat with contempt.” But a negative statement like “I won’t hate you” is at best weak in many languages. Consequently it may be more appropriate to make a positive statement such as “I will always be with you” or “I will accept you (completely).”

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 .