An ox: the Hebrew term indicates any member of “the herd,” that is, of the larger animals, including oxen and cattle, either male or female. This corresponds to the information found in chapter 3. But given the context, which speaks only of male animals, the term “bull” is satisfactory here. In languages which have only a general term which does not specify the sex of the animal, this word will also be acceptable without providing any additional information.

Cereal offering: Good News Translation “grain offering.” See chapter 2.

The LORD will appear to you: the verb tense used in Hebrew indicates completed action and may be more literally rendered “for the LORD has been seen by you.” But the ancient versions and most modern translations understand it to refer to an assured future event. The verb appear must be translated in some languages as “reveal himself” (New American Bible), “show himself,” “present himself,” “make himself known,” or “cause people to see him,” but in others a passive form “be seen” will be most natural.

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 .