Translation commentary on Leviticus 25:8

You shall count: literally “you shall count for yourself.” The two pronouns are singular in form but should be understood collectively as referring to the people of Israel as a whole. In some languages the verb here will be better translated “wait,” as in the similar passage in 15.13.

Seven weeks of years: the word translated weeks is actually translated elsewhere as “sabbaths” and has the root meaning “seven” (see 16.31). So the phrases seven weeks of years (used twice) and “seven times seven years” have exactly the same meaning and can be translated once, if the repetition is stylistically unacceptable in the receptor language.

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 .

Translation commentary on Leviticus 27:3 - 27:7

The organization of this whole passage from verse 3 through verse 7 may be radically altered according to the receptor-language habits regarding such lists. In some cases it may even be appropriate to number the eight different categories listed here. And in many languages, the reduction of repetition will be required. In other cases this information may be presented in table form.

According to the shekel of the sanctuary: the term shekel itself refers to a weight or a coin weighing from 8 to 16 grams. Since there was such variety in its weight and value, it was necessary to set up some kind of official standard. Thus this whole expression refers to that standard. New English Bible translates “the sacred standard,” and New Jerusalem Version says “by the sanctuary weight.” In some languages it may be advisable to say something like “according to the measure decided by the priests.” Compare 5.15.

Because the value of various currencies in the world is constantly changing, it is not a good idea to try to fix an amount in the local currency of the receptor language. Rather, it is preferable to use a more general term like “pieces of silver” that will convey the idea of something of considerable worth without setting a specific value. The use of different figures from 3 to 50 will then give some idea of the relative value of the different types of persons involved. If the term shekel is borrowed in the receptor language, it must be clearly explained in a footnote or a glossary entry. However, borrowing is not recommended.

It should be noted here that in contrast with the situation described in 25.49-52, the value of the person is not based on the number of years work he or she might be expected to do in the sanctuary. The lower amount given for the female in each case reflects the cultural attitudes of the ancient Israelites.

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 .

Translation commentary on Leviticus 2:15

This verse is essentially the same as 1b above. However, the subject in this case is second person singular in keeping with the section beginning at verse 13. In verse 1, however, it is third person singular and refers to “anyone.”

Note that the final clause, it is a cereal offering, has been omitted by Good News Translation as being redundant. But in many languages such repetition may be quite natural and should be retained.

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 .

Translation commentary on Leviticus 4:23

If the sin … is made known to him: see verse 14.

A goat, a male: if the receptor language has a single word that contains the idea of maleness as well as the idea of goat, then it should be used here. The choice of the animal is related to the status of the person who had sinned. A male goat was considered of less value than a bull (see verse 3) but more valuable than a female goat (see verse 28).

Without blemish: see 1.3 and 22.17-25.

In some languages translators may feel that it is necessary to add the implicit information which states the purpose of the sacrifice, “to obtain the forgiveness of God” (Bible en français courant).

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 .

Translation commentary on Leviticus 6:7

Compare 4.20.

For any of the things which one may do and thereby become guilty: this is slightly different from the wording at the end of verse 3, but the meaning is essentially the same. These words may be left implicit as in Good News Translation, if their repetition is awkward in the receptor language.

NOTE: as mentioned earlier chapter 6 begins at this point in the Hebrew text (followed by New American Bible and New Jerusalem Bible in English). Consequently there is a difference of seven between the numbers in New American Bible and New Jerusalem Bible, and the numbers in the other English versions.

The final part of the section on the “Laws about sacrifices and offerings” (6.8–7.38) contains a number of special regulations concerning priests (6.8–7.21) and lay people (7.22-36) with regard to the various offerings discussed in chapters 1–5. The last two verses (7.37-38) constitute the conclusion of this section and at the same time function as a general conclusion to the first seven chapters of Leviticus.

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 .

Translation commentary on Leviticus 7:18

If any of the flesh … is eaten on the third day: this passive formulation will have to be made active in some languages: “If a person eats … on the third day.”

He who offers it shall not be accepted: this is another passive form that may have to be rendered “God will not accept the person who offered the sacrifice….” Good News Translation interprets this to mean that “the man’s offering” rather than the person himself is not accepted by God. The translations are almost equally divided as to whether the pronoun should be “it” (New International Version and New Jerusalem Bible) or “him” (see New Jerusalem Bible and New English Bible). However, it is probably better to see it as referring to the person.

Neither shall it be credited to him: still another passive, but in this case the meaning is essentially the same as above, although here the subject is clearly the offering and not the person. It may be translated “He shall receive no credit for it,” or “It will not be honored (or, recognized),” or “It will be counted as worthless.”

An abomination: “unclean” or “impure” (see 5.2), but the word used here is even stronger. It comes from a root word meaning “corpse.” The whole phrase it shall be an abomination is introduced by the conjunction “but” in Good News Translation, and New American Bible has “rather.” New International Version, on the other hand, inserts “because.” While the text has no overt marker of the relationship between this and the first part of the verse, the relationship is probably one of contrast. However, most versions have no transition word here.

Bear his iniquity: see 5.1, 17.

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 .

Translation commentary on Leviticus 8:15

Moses: the Hebrew has only the pronoun here. Literally the verse begins “he killed it and Moses took….” This has led some commentators to believe that the first action was performed by Aaron. But the majority of the scholars feel that Moses is the subject of both verbs in spite of this unusual structure.

Killed it: or better, “slaughtered it” (see 1.5).

The blood: the ancient Greek version has “some of the blood.” This is only logical, since the remainder of it is poured out at the base of the altar later in the verse. For this reason it will be wise in many languages to translate as in Good News Translation, “some of the blood” and “the rest of the blood.”

His finger: see 4.6.

The horns of the altar: the altar referred to is the altar of sacrifice (see verse 11). The word horns refers to the corners of the altar. See 4.7.

Purified … and consecrated …: it may be difficult in some languages to find two different verbs to express these two ideas. The first verb contains the rather negative idea of removing “sin” or eliminating the mundane character of the altar. The second verb is a more positive statement of the same idea and may be translated “set apart” or “given over to God.” The root of this verb is the same as in verses 10-12. One translation sums up the purpose of this dedication by saying “In this way he consecrated the altar (of sacrifice) so that it might be suitable for ceremonies for the forgiveness of sins.” Another possibility is “he removed all sin from the altar and dedicated it to God.” To use the verb “dedicate” twice in succession, as in Good News Translation, may give the wrong impression that two separate acts of dedication took place.

Poured out the blood: that is, the blood that remained after having used some of it on the corners of the altar.

To make atonement for it: this indicates the purpose of previous actions. It may be that some languages will require a different word for atonement here, since this involves an altar instead of people (compare 1.4 and 4.20). New Jerusalem Bible has “cleansing the altar,” and New Jerusalem Bible has “performing the rite of expiation over it.”

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 .

Translation commentary on Leviticus 9:12

This verse and the two that follow describe the enactment of what is prescribed in 1.11-13. The detail of location found in chapter 1 is omitted in this verse. Also, in this case Aaron’s sons present the blood to their father, who in turn throws it on the altar. It is the sons who perform this action in chapter 1. With the exception of the verb delivered (which corresponds more or less to “present” in 1.5), the terminology is the same as in chapter 1.

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 .