And the LORD said to Moses: In this context the generic verb said may be rendered “commanded” (similarly New Living Translation).

Take all the chiefs of the people: The Hebrew term for chiefs is the same one rendered “head” in 1.2 (see the comments there). All the chiefs of the people probably refers to only the Israelite leaders who were involved with the pagan worship mentioned in verses 1-3 (so Samaritan Pentateuch), so Contemporary English Version says “the Israelite leaders who are responsible for this.” Another possible model is “all the guilty Israelite leaders.” A literal rendering will undoubtedly be understood as referring to the entire Israelite leadership.

And hang them in the sun before the LORD: Hang them is literally “display/expose them hanging.” As far as scholars can determine, the Hebrew verb here does not specify the method of execution, so Good News Bible has the generic rendering “execute them.” New Revised Standard Version and La Bible de Jérusalem: Nouvelle édition revue et corrigée say “impale them,” which may be the best translation of this verb. Compare 2 Sam 21.6, 9 and 13, where it is also used. The point here is that this was to be a public, shameful type of execution to teach a lesson. In the sun means “publicly” (Good News Bible footnote; similarly NBG). The phrase before the LORD gives a ritual, sacrificial sense to this command to hang the guilty leaders. They had led their people into a public sacrilege. Good News Bible renders this phrase “in obedience to me.” Since the LORD is speaking, Good News Bible changes the third person references to him in this verse to first person for naturalness.

That the fierce anger of the LORD may turn away from Israel is literally “that the burning nose/anger of the LORD may turn away from Israel.” The figurative expression for the LORD’s anger is the same one as in verse 3. If possible, translators should render this emphatic expression in the same way in both verses for consistency. NIRV renders this clause as “Then my anger will not burn against Israel,” and Good News Bible has “and then I will no longer be angry with the people.”

Quoted with permission from de Regt, Lénart J. and Wendland, Ernst R. A Handbook on Numbers. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .