Leviticus

Leviticus front

Introduction to Leviticus

Part 1: General Introduction

Outline of Leviticus

Instructions to the Israelites about offerings (1:1–6:7)
Burnt offerings (1:1–17)
Grain offerings (2:1–16)
Fellowship offerings (3:1–17)
Offerings for unintentional sins (4:1-5:13)
Guilt offerings (5:14–6:7)
Instructions to the priests about offerings (6:8–7:10)
Burnt offerings (6:8-13)
Grain offerings (6:14-23)
Sin offerings (6:24-30)
Guilt offerings (7:1-10)
Further instructions to the Israelites (7:11–7:38)
Peace offerings (7:11–21)
Eating fat and blood forbidden (7:22-27)
The share for the priests (7:28–7:38)
Setting apart the priests (8:1–10:20)
Aaron and his sons ordained (8:1–36)
Aaron as high priest (9:1–24)
Nadab and Abihu punished (10:1–20)
Laws about clean and unclean things (11:1–15:33)
Clean and unclean food (11:1–47)
Women purified after giving birth to a child (12:1–8)
Skin, clothing, houses (13:1–14:47)
Bodily fluids (15:1–33)
Day of Atonement; the place of the offering; the nature of blood (16:1–17:16)
Setting apart for worship and service; being disqualified from service (18:1–24:23)
The years of rest and release (25:1–55)
Blessing for obeying and curses for not obeying (26:1–46)
Gifts to God (27:1–34)

What is the book of Leviticus about?

In the Book of Leviticus, God continues to give laws through Moses to the people of Israel. The people were to obey all of these laws to honor their covenant with God.

How should the title of this book be translated?

“Leviticus” means “about the Levites.” The Levites were the tribe of Israel that provided priests and other workers in the tabernacle. If the people in the project language do not understand the term “Levites,” you can call it “The Book about the Priests” or “The Book about the Tabernacle Workers.” (See: INVALID bible/kt/tabernacle and INVALID translate/translate-names)

Who wrote the book of Leviticus?

The writers of both the Old and New Testament present Moses as being very involved with writing the book of Leviticus. Since ancient times, both Jews and Christians have thought that Moses wrote Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.

What is the meaning of “holy” and “holiness” in the book of Leviticus?

These terms concern separating someone or something from the rest of the people, from the world, or from ordinary use. God separated these people or things so they would belong only to him. The people were to consider the places for worshiping God or for honoring him in any way as separate. The people could not use them for anything else. God required the Israelites to live in a certain way in order to live as a nation belonging to him alone.

Anyone or anything that was acceptable to God or “holy” was spoken of as if they were physically clean.

In the same way, anyone or anything that was not acceptable to God or not holy was spoken of if they were physically unclean.

Some people and some things could be made clean or “cleansed,” that is, acceptable to God. People or things were made clean if the people performed the right sacrifices and ceremonies. For example, some foreigners who wished to live among the Israelites and worship Yahweh could be made clean. However, other people and things could never be made acceptable to him.

It is important to know that not all unclean things or conditions were sinful. For example, after giving birth to a male child, a woman would be unclean for thirty-three days. Then the proper animal sacrifice would be offered for her. The flow of blood made the woman unclean (Leviticus 12:7). But Leviticus never suggests that someone with a flow of blood was sinning. In the same way, God did not allow Israelites to eat many kinds of animals, as one way of setting his people apart.

Because God does not sin, the terms “holy” and “holiness” often suggest this same idea. Something belonging to God is holy. Because people must respect God, they must respect the things that belong to him.

What are the important narrative features of Leviticus?

On seventeen occasions, the phrase “The Lord said to Moses” (and sometimes Aaron) is often used to begin paragraphs. God and Moses frequently spoke to others. The verb “speak” is used thirty-eight times.

Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts

Why did the Israelites need so many rules about sacrificing animals?

Leviticus shows that God is holy. That means God is very different from humanity and the rest of the created world. God does not sin. Because of this, it is impossible to be acceptable to him without being “cleansed.” The many kinds of sacrifices were meant to make people and things acceptable to God. However, the people had to continue making animal sacrifices so that they would continue to be acceptable to God. This was a sign that pointed to a need for a better sacrifice. They needed a sacrifice that would cause them to be acceptable to God forever. (See: INVALID bible/kt/holy and INVALID bible/kt/sin)

Why was the priesthood important in the book of Leviticus?

Priests were individuals who went to God on behalf of the people. God authorized the priests to bring the Israelite’s sacrifices to himself.

How did the Israelite’s rules for worshiping God and sacrificing animals differ from the other nations at that time?

It was common for other nations to sacrifice animals to their idols. But, the other nations did other things to worship their false gods. For instance, people would sleep with prostitutes at the temple of their gods. They did this to try to persuade their gods to bless their land with the ability to grow crops. Also, people of other nations would sometimes offer human sacrifices to their gods. The God of Israel did not allow his people to do these kinds of things.

Part 3: Important Translation Issues

What important symbols are introduced in Leviticus?

Oil was poured on someone or something meant to be set apart for Yahweh. Water was used to symbolize the cleansing of someone or something so God could accept them. Blood was also used to cleanse and purify people and things. This is because blood represented life that needed to be shed in order for God to forgive people for sinning.

Why do many sections begin with the phrase “Yahweh said to Moses?”

This phrase shows the reader that these rules come from God and must be obeyed. You could also translate this as “God told Moses.”

Leviticus 1

Leviticus 01 General Notes

Structure and formatting

In Hebrew, this chapter begins with the word “and” indicating a connection with the previous book (Exodus). The first five books of the Bible should be seen as a single unit.

Special concepts in this chapter

Atonement

In order to offer a sacrifice for the people, the priest first had to make an atonement for himself, in order to make himself clean. Only then would he be clean and be allowed to perform a sacrifice. These sacrificed animals had to be perfect, the best of all of the animals. A person was not allowed to bring an inferior animal to be sacrificed to Yahweh. These sacrifices also had to be offered in a very specific way. (See: INVALID bible/kt/atonement and INVALID bible/kt/priest and INVALID bible/kt/clean)

Leviticus 1:1

This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament. See the translationWord page about Yahweh concerning how to translate this.

Leviticus 1:2

“When any one of you” or “When any of you”

Here Yahweh begins speaking to Moses. The words that begin “from the tent of meeting, saying,” can be translated without the quotation within the quotation. “from the tent of meeting and told Moses to say this to the people of Israel: ‘When any man” (See: INVALID translate/figs-quotesinquotes and INVALID translate/figs-quotations)

Leviticus 1:3

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do so that their sacrifices will be acceptable to Yahweh.

Here “his” and “he” refer to the person bringing an offering to Yahweh. It can be translated in the second person as it is in Leviticus 1:2. Alternate translation: “If your offering…you must offer” (See: INVALID translate/figs-123person)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “so that Yahweh will accept it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 1:4

This is a symbolic action that identifies the person with the animal he is offering. In this way the person is offering himself through the animal to Yahweh, so that God will forgive the person’s sins when they kill the animal. (See: INVALID translate/translate-symaction)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “then Yahweh will accept it in his place and forgive his sins” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 1:5

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do.

Here “he” refers to the one making the offering. It can be stated in second person. Alternate translation: “Then you must kill the bull” (See: INVALID translate/figs-123person)

“in the presence of Yahweh”

It is implied that the priests would catch the blood in a bowl as it drained out of the animal. Then they would bring the bowl with the blood in it and present it to Yahweh at the altar. (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 1:6

As indicated in 1:9, the person must also wash the inner parts and the legs of the animal with water. The person would do this before giving the pieces to the priests so they could place them on the altar. As in the UST, you can state here the instructions to wash the inner parts and legs. (See: INVALID translate/figs-events)

Here “he” refers to the one making the offering.

Leviticus 1:7

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do so their offerings will be acceptable to him.

This may mean that the priests placed hot coals on the altar, then placed the wood on the coals. Or you may need to reorder this as in the UST. Alternate translation: “will put wood on the altar and light a fire” (See: INVALID translate/figs-events)

Leviticus 1:9

The person would do this before giving the pieces to the priests to place on the altar. You can state this at the end of Leviticus 1:6.

This is the stomach and intestines.

Here “he” refers to the one making the offering.

Yahweh being pleased with the sincere worshiper offering the sacrifice is spoken of as if Yahweh were pleased by the aroma of the burning sacrifice. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Yahweh is telling Moses that the offerings are to be burnt with fire. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “a burnt offering to me” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 1:10

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do.

Leviticus 1:11

“in the presence of Yahweh”

Leviticus 1:12

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do.

Here “he” refers to the person offering the sacrifice. It can be stated in second person. Alternate translation: “Then you must cut it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-123person)

See how you translated these words in Leviticus 1:7-9.

Leviticus 1:13

See how you translated many of these words in Leviticus 1:9.

“Then the priest will burn everything on the altar”

Yahweh being pleased with the sincere worshiper who offered the sacrifice is spoken of as if God were pleased with the aroma of the burning sacrifice. See how you translated this in Leviticus 1:9. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Yahweh tells Moses that the priests must burn their offerings with fire. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “it will be a burnt offering to me” or “it will be a burnt offering to Yahweh” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive and INVALID translate/figs-123person)

Leviticus 1:14

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do.

Leviticus 1:15

“twist off its head”

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Then the priest must drain its blood” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 1:16

“The priest must”

A crop is a pouch in the bird’s throat where pre-digested food is stored.

Here “it” refers to the crop and its contents.

Leviticus 1:17

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “it will be a burnt offering to me” or “it will be a burnt offering to Yahweh” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 2

Leviticus 02 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter gives instructions about how to make a grain offering.

Special concepts in this chapter

Yeast

Yeast is connected to the events of the Passover. Any prohibition of yeast may be connected to the original Passover. (See: INVALID bible/kt/passover)

Leviticus 2:1

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do.

“be the finest flour” or “be the best flour”

a powder made from wheat

Leviticus 2:2

“He must take”

“take out what he can hold in his hand”

The handful of the grain offering represents the whole grain offering. This means the whole offering belongs to Yahweh.

Yahweh being pleased with the sincere worshiper who offered the sacrifice is spoken of as if God were pleased with the aroma of the sacrifice. See how you translated this in Leviticus 1:9. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “it will be a burnt offering to him” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 2:4

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people and priests must do so their offerings will be acceptable to him.

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “that you baked in an oven” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This was probably a hollow object made of clay. A fire was lit under the oven, and the heat would bake the dough inside of the oven. (See: INVALID translate/translate-unknown)

It is understood that the soft bread contained no yeast. (See: INVALID translate/figs-ellipsis)

Translate this phrase to indicate that the oil is to be spread onto the bread. Alternate translation: “with oil on the bread” (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 2:5

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “If you bake your grain offering in a flat iron pan” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This is a thick plate made of either clay or metal. The plate was placed over a fire, and the dough cooked on top of the plate. (See: INVALID translate/translate-unknown)

Leviticus 2:6

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do so their offerings will be acceptable to him.

Here “it” refers to the grain offering cooked on a flat iron pan.

Leviticus 2:7

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “If you cook your grain offering” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

A pan is a metal plate with rounded edges. The dough was placed in the pan and cooked over a fire. (See: INVALID translate/translate-unknown)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “you must make it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 2:8

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do so their offerings will be acceptable to him.

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “that you made from the flour and oil” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “you will present it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 2:9

See how you translated many of these words in Leviticus 2:2.

The handful of the grain offering represents the whole grain offering. This means the whole offering belongs to Yahweh. See how you translated this in Leviticus 2:2.

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “It will be a burnt offering” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 2:10

See how you translated this in Leviticus 2:3.

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “from the burnt offerings to Yahweh” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 2:11

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do so that their offerings will be acceptable to him.

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Do not use yeast in a grain offering that you offer to Yahweh” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “as a burnt offering” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 2:12

“You will offer the grain offerings made with leaven or honey”

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “you will not use them to produce a sweet aroma on the altar” or “you will not burn them on the altar” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 2:13

It is implied that the salt is a symbol that represents the covenant with God. (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 2:14

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do so their offerings will be acceptable to him.

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “that you have cooked over a fire and then crushed” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 2:16

The handful of the grain offering represents the whole grain offering. This means the whole offering belongs to Yahweh. See how you translated this in Leviticus 2:2.

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “This is a burnt offering to Yahweh” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 3

Leviticus 03 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter gives instructions about how to offer a fellowship offering.

Special concepts in this chapter

Fat

The fat of the animal was considered the best part of the animal to eat. Therefore, this belonged to Yahweh. This is why the Israelites were not allowed to consume it.

Leviticus 3:1

Moses continues telling the people what Yahweh wants them to do.

“in the presence of Yahweh” or “to Yahweh”

Leviticus 3:2

This is a symbolic action that identifies the person with the animal he is offering. In this way the person is offering himself to Yahweh through the animal. See how you translated this in Leviticus 1:4. (See: INVALID translate/translate-symaction)

It is implied that before they sprinkle the blood, they catch blood in a bowl as the it drains from the animal. (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 3:3

This is the stomach and intestines.

Leviticus 3:4

This is the part of the body on the sides of the backbone between the ribs and hipbone.

This is the curved or rounded part of the liver. This is considered the best part of the liver to eat. Alternate translation: “the best part of the liver”

Leviticus 3:5

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “it will be a burnt offering to Yahweh” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 3:7

“offer it in the presence of Yahweh” or “offer it to Yahweh”

Leviticus 3:8

This is a symbolic action that identifies the person with the animal he is offering. In this way the person is offering himself to Yahweh through the animal. (See: INVALID translate/translate-symaction)

It is implied that before they sprinkle the blood, they catch the blood in a bowl as it drains from the animal. (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 3:9

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “as a burnt offering” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This is the stomach and intestines.

Leviticus 3:10

The words “he will remove all of this” can be placed at the beginning of the sentence in verse 9. “He will remove the fat, the entire fat tail…the inner parts, and the two kidneys…with the kidneys”

A new sentence can start here. Alternate translation: “He must remove the kidneys”

This is the part of the body on the sides of the backbone between the ribs and hipbone.

This is the curved or rounded part of the liver. This is considered the best part of the liver to eat. Alternate translation: “the best part of the liver”

Leviticus 3:11

Translate this in a way that makes it clear that Yahweh does not actually eat the food. Alternate translation: “will burn those things on the altar as an offering to Yahweh. Those things will come from your food supplies”

Leviticus 3:12

“in the presence of Yahweh” or “to Yahweh”

Leviticus 3:13

It is implied that before they sprinkle the blood, they catch the blood in a bowl as it drains from the animal. (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 3:14

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “will offer his sacrifice by fire” or “will burn his sacrifice” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 3:15

Here “He” refers to the person offering the sacrifice.

Leviticus 3:16

Translate this in a way that it does not seem like Yahweh actually eats the food. Alternate translation: “will burn those things on the altar to be an offering to Yahweh. It will be as though they are food given to Yahweh”

Yahweh is pleased with the aroma of burning meat when he is pleased with the worshiper’s sincerity. See how you translated this in Leviticus 1:9. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 3:17

This means that they and their descendants must obey this command forever.

“or consume blood”

Leviticus 4

Leviticus 04 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter gives instructions on how to offer a sacrifice for unintentional sins. This is known as a sin offering. (See: INVALID bible/kt/sin)

Special concepts in this chapter

Unintentional sins

Many scholars have taken special note that all of the sacrifices concern sins that are unintentional and that no provision is offered for sins intentionally committed. Many have suggested that it is only the sacrifice of Jesus’ life that can be offered for these sins. Many also believe that this offering parallels the sacrifice of Jesus.

Leviticus 4:2

The words beginning with “Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying” (verse 1) begin a quotation that contains a quotation that begins with “Tell the people of Israel.” A direct quotation can be stated as an indirect quotation. “Yahweh spoke to Moses and told him to tell the people of Israel this: ‘When anyone sins” (See:INVALID translate/figs-quotesinquotes and INVALID translate/figs-quotations)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “that Yahweh has commanded the people not to do” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “if he does something that Yahweh does not allow” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “he must do the following” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 4:3

The abstract noun “guilt” can be stated as an adjective. Alternate translation: “so as to cause the people to be guilty” (See: INVALID translate/figs-abstractnouns)

Leviticus 4:4

Yahweh continues to tell Moses what the people must do.

“The high priest must bring the bull”

Leviticus 4:5

It is implied that the priest catches the blood in a bowl as it drains from the animal. (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 4:6

“drip some of it” or “splatter some of it”

Leviticus 4:7

This refers to the corners of the altar. They are shaped like the horns of an ox. Alternate translation: “the projections at the corners of the altar”

“empty out the rest of the blood”

“at the bottom of the altar”

Leviticus 4:8

“The priest will cut away”

This is the stomach and intestines.

Leviticus 4:9

The words “he will cut away all this” can be placed before the words “the fat that covers” in verse 8. “He will cut away the fat that covers the inner parts, all the fat that is attached to the inner parts, the two kidneys…with the kidneys”

This is the part of the body on the sides of the backbone between the ribs and hipbone.

This is the curved or rounded part of the liver. This is considered the best part of the liver to eat. Alternate translation: “the best part of the liver”

Leviticus 4:11

You may want to begin this sentence with words that tell your reader that the sentence is very long. “As for the skin of the bull…and its dung”

Leviticus 4:12

A place being ritually pure and suitable to use for serving God is spoken of as if it were physically clean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Here “they” refers to the priests, and “me” refers to Yahweh.

Leviticus 4:13

“does not know”

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “commanded them not to do” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

“they are guilty” or “they deserve for God to punish them”

Leviticus 4:14

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “when they realize that they have sinned” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 4:15

This is a symbolic action that identifies the people with the animal they are offering. In this way the people are offering themselves to Yahweh through the animal. See how you translated a similar phrase in Leviticus 1:4. (See: INVALID translate/translate-symaction)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “and they will kill the bull” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 4:16

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do.

It is implied that the priest caught the blood in a bowl as the blood drained from the bull. (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 4:17

It is implied that this is the curtain before the most holy place. (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 4:18

“The priest will put”

This refers to the corners of the altar. They are shaped like the horns of an ox. See how you translated this in Leviticus 4:7.

“he will pour out the rest of the blood”

Leviticus 4:19

“all the fat from the bull and burn the fat”

Leviticus 4:20

“the priest must do”

The abstract noun “atonement” can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: “the priest will atone for the people’s sins” (See: INVALID translate/figs-abstractnouns)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will forgive them” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 4:22

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “God has commanded the people not to do” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 4:23

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “then he realizes that he has sinned” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 4:24

“The ruler will lay”

“where the priests kill”

“in the presence of Yahweh” or “to Yahweh”

Leviticus 4:25

It is implied that the priest will catch the blood in a bowl as the blood drains from the goat. (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

This refers to the corners of the altar. They are shaped like the horns of an ox. See how you translated this in Leviticus 4:7.

Leviticus 4:26

“The priest will burn”

The abstract noun “atonement” can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: “The priest will atone for the ruler” (See: INVALID translate/figs-abstractnouns)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will forgive the ruler’s sins” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 4:27

All of the people of Israel were commanded not to sin. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh commanded the people not to do” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 4:28

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “he becomes aware of the sin he committed” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 4:29

Leviticus 4:30

It is implied that the priest will catch the blood in a bowl as the blood drains from the animal. (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

This refers to the corners of the altar, which are shaped like the horns of an ox. See how you translated this in Leviticus 4:7.

“all the blood remaining in the bowl”

Leviticus 4:31

Here “He” refers to the person offering the sacrifice.

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “just as a person cuts away the fat” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

“will burn the fat”

The abstract noun “atonement” can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: “The priest will atone for the man’s sins” (See: INVALID translate/figs-abstractnouns)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will forgive the man’s sins” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 4:33

“where the priests kill”

Leviticus 4:34

This refers to the corners of the altar. They are shaped like the horns of an ox. See how you translated this in Leviticus 4:7.

“he will pour out the rest of its blood”

Leviticus 4:35

Here “He” refers to the person offering the sacrifice.

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “just as a person cuts away the fat of the lamb” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

“the priest will burn the fat”

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “burnt offerings for Yahweh” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

The abstract noun “atonement” can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: “will atone for the sin the person committed” (See: INVALID translate/figs-abstractnouns)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will forgive the man’s sins” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 5

Leviticus 05 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter gives instructions about how to offer a specific type of sacrifice.

Special concepts in this chapter

Not testifying

If a person saw a crime, or a wrong being done, they were required to be a witness about what they saw or heard. (See: INVALID bible/kt/testimony)

Sacrifices for the poor

This chapter explains that poor people were allowed to offer less expensive sacrifices if they could not afford more costly sacrifices.

Leviticus 5:1

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do.

Jewish law and leaders both required the people to testify if they were witnesses to a crime. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “something about which a judge has required him to testify” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 5:2

Something that God has declared to be unfit for people to touch or eat is spoken of as if it were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

“the dead body”

A person who is unacceptable for God’s purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 5:3

The abstract noun “uncleanness” can be stated as an adjective. Alternate translation: “if he touches anything that makes a person unclean” (See: INVALID translate/figs-abstractnouns)

Something that Yahweh has declared unfit for a person to touch or eat is spoken of as if it were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

“he does not realize it” or “he does not know about it”

Leviticus 5:4

Here “lips” represents the whole person. Alternate translation: “if anyone swears rashly” (See: INVALID translate/figs-synecdoche)

This means to swear an oath without thinking seriously about it. It implies that after the person swears the oath that he either cannot fulfill it or he does not really want to fulfill it. (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 5:5

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do.

Leviticus 5:6

The abstract noun “atonement” can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: “the priest will atone for him” (See: INVALID translate/figs-abstractnouns)

Leviticus 5:7

“If he does not have enough money to buy a lamb”

Leviticus 5:8

“he will kill it by twisting its head and breaking its neck, but he will not remove the head”

Leviticus 5:10

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “as Yahweh has instructed” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

The abstract noun “atonement” can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: “the priest will atone for the sin that the person committed” (See: INVALID translate/figs-abstractnouns)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will forgive the person” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 5:11

An ephah is 22 liters. A tenth of an ephah is about two liters. (See: INVALID translate/translate-bvolume)

This is one part out of ten equal parts. (See: INVALID translate/translate-fraction)

Leviticus 5:12

“He must bring the fine flour”

The handful that the priest burns on the altar represents the entire offering. This means the whole offering belongs to Yahweh. See how you translated this in Leviticus 2:2.

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “on top of the burnt offerings to Yahweh” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 5:13

The abstract noun “atonement” can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: “will atone” (See: INVALID translate/figs-abstractnouns)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will forgive that person’s sins” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 5:15

This means the person sinned by not giving to Yahweh what Yahweh commanded him to give. Alternate translation: “sins by failing to give to Yahweh what belongs to Yahweh”

Leviticus 5:16

This means the person must pay an extra one-fifth of the value of what he owes to Yahweh.

This is one part out of five equal parts. (See: INVALID translate/translate-fraction)

The abstract noun “atonement” can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: “the priest will atone for him” (See: INVALID translate/figs-abstractnouns)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will forgive that person” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 5:17

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “has commanded the people not to do” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

A person’s guilt is spoken of as if it were a physical object that the person carries. Here the word “guilt” represents the punishment for that guilt. Alternate translation: “he is responsible for his own guilt” or “Yahweh will punish him for his sin” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 5:18

This means the person must determine how many shekels the ram is worth by using the official standard of the sacred tent. See Leviticus 5:15. (See: INVALID translate/figs-ellipsis)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will forgive him” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 5:19

“Yahweh certainly considers him guilty”

Leviticus 6

Leviticus 06 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter gives instructions on how to offer guilt offerings, burnt offerings, and grain offerings.

Special concepts in this chapter

Eating sacrifices

The Levites were allowed to eat some of the leftover parts of the sacrifice, while they were not allowed to eat other sacrifices. The reasons for this is unknown.

Leviticus 6:2

“disobeys one of Yahweh’s commandments”

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “lying to his neighbor about something the neighbor let him borrow” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Here “neighbor” means any Israelite, not just someone who lives nearby.

Leviticus 6:4

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “not returning something he borrowed”

Leviticus 6:5

“fully” or “totally”

This means the person must return what he owes to someone and pay an extra one-fifth of the value. See how you translated this in Leviticus 5:16. (See: INVALID translate/translate-fraction)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “to pay the person he owes” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

The person who stole is to be brought before the judge and be declared guilty. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the judge declares him guilty” (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit and INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 6:6

This means the person must determine how many shekels the ram is worth by using the official standard of the sacred tent. You can make clear the understood information. See how this was translated in Leviticus 5:15. (See: INVALID translate/figs-ellipsis)

Leviticus 6:7

The abstract noun “atonement” can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: “The priest will atone for him” (See: INVALID translate/figs-abstractnouns)

“in the presence of Yahweh”

This means Yahweh will forgive the person, not the priest. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “God will forgive him” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 6:9

The sentence that begins “Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying” (verse 8) has a quotation within a quotation. A direct quotation can be stated as an indirect quotation. “Then Yahweh spoke to Moses and told him to command Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the law” (See:INVALID translate/figs-quotesinquotes and INVALID translate/figs-quotations)

“must be on top of the altar”

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “you must keep the fire of the altar burning” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 6:10

Linen is a white cloth. Alternate translation: “his white clothes” (See: INVALID translate/translate-unknown)

“He will gather the ashes”

The fire completely burning up the offering is spoken of as if it consumed or used up the burnt offering.

Leviticus 6:11

A place that is fit to be used for God’s purposes is spoken of as if it were physically clean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 6:12

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “The priest will keep the fire on the altar burning” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “on it as Yahweh demands” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive and INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 6:15

Yahweh being pleased with the sincere worshiper who offered the sacrifice is spoken of as if God were pleased with the aroma of the sacrifice. See how you translated a similar phrase in Leviticus 1:9. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

The handful of the grain offering represents the whole grain offering. This means the whole offering belongs to Yahweh. See how you translated this in Leviticus 2:2.

Leviticus 6:16

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “They must eat it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 6:17

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Do not bake it with yeast” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “burnt offerings” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 6:18

This is an implied warning that those who are not male descendants of Aaron should not touch this offering. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 6:20

It is implied that they will be anointed when they become priests. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. This can also be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “when he anoints each son, ordaining them as priests” (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit andINVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

An ephah is 22 liters. One-tenth of an ephah is about 2 liters. (See: INVALID translate/translate-bvolume)

This is one part of ten equal parts. (See: INVALID translate/translate-fraction)

Leviticus 6:21

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “You will make it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This is a thick plate made of either clay or metal. The plate was placed over a fire, and the dough cooked on top of the plate. See how you translated “flat iron pan” in Leviticus 2:5. (See: INVALID translate/translate-unknown)

“When the flour is completely wet with oil”

Here “you” refers to the person offering the sacrifice. (See: INVALID translate/figs-you)

Leviticus 6:22

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “As Yahweh has commanded you” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “he must burn all of it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 6:25

The sentence that begins “Yahweh spoke to Moses again, saying” (verse 24) has a quotation within a quotation. A direct quotation can be stated as an indirect quotation. “Yahweh spoke to Moses again and told him to speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the law” (See:INVALID translate/figs-quotesinquotes and INVALID translate/figs-quotations)

Yahweh is speaking to Aaron and his sons, but these regulations apply to all priest who perform these sacrifices. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

It can be made explicit that this refers to the north side of the altar. See Leviticus 1:10-11. (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “You must kill the sin offering” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “where you kill the animal for the burnt offering” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

“to Yahweh”

Leviticus 6:26

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “He must eat it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 6:27

This is an implied warning that no one besides the priests should touch the meat of the sin offering. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “if the blood sprinkles on” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 6:28

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “you must break the clay pot in which you boiled the meat” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “If you boiled the meat in a bronze pot, then you must scrub the pot and rinse it with clean water” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 6:30

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “But no one may eat any sin offering whose blood is brought into the tent of meeting to make atonement in the holy place” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “from which the priest takes the blood into the tent of meeting” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive and INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “The priest must burn it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 7

Leviticus 07 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter gives instructions on how to offer guilt offerings, peace offerings and freewill offerings.

Special concepts in this chapter

Blood

The people were not allowed to eat or drink the blood of the sacrificed meat because life was considered to be in the blood of the animal. (See: INVALID bible/kt/blood and Leviticus 17:11)

Leviticus 7:1

Yahweh continues telling Moses what he must tell Aaron and his sons.

Leviticus 7:2

It can be made explicit that this refers to, the north side of the altar, the place where the animals for the burnt offerings are killed. See Leviticus 1:10-11. (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 7:3

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “The priest must offer all the fat in it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This is the stomach and intestines.

Leviticus 7:4

See how you translated these words in Leviticus 3:4.

This is the part of the body on the sides of the backbone between the ribs and hipbone. See how you translated this in Leviticus 3:4.

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the priest must remove all this” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 7:5

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “as a burnt offering” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 7:6

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “They must eat it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 7:7

“The law is the same for both of them”

The abstract noun “atonement” can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: “to the priest who offers the sacrifice to atone for someone’s sins” (See: INVALID translate/figs-abstractnouns)

Leviticus 7:8

the coat or skin of a herd animal

Leviticus 7:9

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “that someone bakes in an oven…that someone cooks in a frying pan” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This was probably a hollow object made of clay. A fire was lit under the oven, and the heat would bake the dough inside of the oven. See how you translated this in Leviticus 2:4. (See: INVALID translate/translate-unknown)

This is a metal plate with rounded edges. The dough was placed in the pan and cooked over a fire. See how you translated “pan” in Leviticus 2:7. (See: INVALID translate/translate-unknown)

Leviticus 7:12

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “of cakes he made without yeast but mixed with oil” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Here “cakes” refers to a thick bread.

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “of thin cakes he made without yeast but spread with oil” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Here “cakes” refers to a thin bread.

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “of cakes he made with fine flour mixed with oil” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Here “cakes” refers to a thick bread. It is similar to the first type of bread except it is made with the finest flour.

Leviticus 7:13

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “cakes of bread he made with yeast” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This refers to a thick bread.

Leviticus 7:15

“The person who offers”

The abstract noun “thanks” can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: “for the purpose of thanking Yahweh” (See: INVALID translate/figs-abstractnouns)

Leviticus 7:16

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “he must eat the meat…he may eat it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 7:17

Third is the ordinal number for three. Alternate translation: “after two days” (See: INVALID translate/translate-ordinal)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the person must burn it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 7:18

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “If anyone eats the meat of his peace offering sacrifice on the third day” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will not accept it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “neither will Yahweh honor the sacrifice that the person offered” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

A person being responsible for the sin he committed is spoken of as if he had to carry the guilt physically. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 7:19

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “No one may eat meat that touches something unclean” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Something that Yahweh has stated is unfit to touch or eat is spoken of as if it were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “You must burn it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

A person who is acceptable for God’s purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically clean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 7:20

A person who is not acceptable for God’s purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

A person being excluded from his community is spoken of as if he had been cut off from his people, as one would cut a piece of cloth or cut a branch from a tree. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “that person may no longer live among his people” or “you must separate that person from his people” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor and INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 7:21

Here “man” means humans in general. Alternate translation: “whether of a person or a beast”

“or of some unclean thing that disgusts Yahweh”

A person being excluded from his community is spoken of as if he had been cut off from his people, as one would cut a piece of cloth or cut a branch from a tree. This can be translated in active form. See how you translated this in Leviticus 7:20. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor and INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 7:23

The sentence that begins “Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying” (verse 22) has a quotation within a quotation. A direct quotation can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “Then Yahweh spoke to Moses and told him to tell the people of Israel this: ‘You must eat no fat” (See: INVALID translate/figs-quotesinquotes and INVALID translate/figs-quotations)

Leviticus 7:24

“died but was not a sacrifice”

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the fat of an animal that wild animals killed” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “you may use” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 7:25

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “burnt offering” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

A person being excluded from his community is spoken of as if he had been cut off from his people, as one would cut a piece of cloth or cut a branch from a tree. This can be translated in active form. See how you translated this in Leviticus 7:20. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor and INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 7:26

“You must not consume blood”

“in any of your homes” or “wherever you live”

Leviticus 7:29

The sentence that begins with the words “So Yahweh spoke to Moses and said” (verse 28) has a quotation within a quotation. A direct quotation can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “Then Yahweh spoke to Moses and told him to tell the people of Israel this: ‘He who offers” (See:INVALID translate/figs-quotesinquotes and INVALID translate/figs-quotations)

Leviticus 7:30

The statement “his own hands must bring it” can be placed at the beginning of the sentence. The phrase “to be made by fire” can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “He himself must bring the offering that he plans to burn as a sacrifice to Yahweh” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Here “hands” represents the whole person. Alternate translation: “he must bring it himself” (See: INVALID translate/figs-synecdoche)

the front part of the animal’s body below the neck

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “so that the priest can present it to Yahweh as a wave offering” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Raising up the offering is a symbolic gesture that shows that the person is dedicating the sacrifice to Yahweh. (See: INVALID translate/translate-symaction)

Leviticus 7:32

the upper part of the leg above the knee

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “and present it as an offering” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 7:34

Here “I” refers to Yahweh.

“that is given as an offering”

Leviticus 7:35

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the burnt offerings for Yahweh” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 7:36

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “that Yahweh commanded the people of Israel to give to them” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

“that Moses anointed the priests”

See how you translated these words in Leviticus 3:17.

Leviticus 7:37

This is the end of a speech started in verse Leviticus 7:29.

Leviticus 8

Leviticus 08 General Notes

Structure and formatting

In this chapter, Moses set apart, or consecrated, the sons of Aaron to be priests. (See: INVALID bible/kt/consecrate and INVALID bible/kt/priest)

Leviticus 8:1

In chapter 8 Moses ordains Aaron and his sons as priests according to the commands of Yahweh that Moses recorded in the book of Exodus.

Leviticus 8:2

“the priestly garments” or “the clothes that the priests wore”

Leviticus 8:5

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh commands us to do” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 8:6

This is a symbolic action. It is a ritually cleaning that prepares them to become priests. (See: INVALID translate/translate-symaction)

Leviticus 8:7

These are special garments that Yahweh commanded the people to make for the priests. (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

a long piece of cloth that is tied around the waist or chest

“tied it around him”

Leviticus 8:8

“Moses placed the breastpiece on Aaron”

This is a special garment that Yahweh commanded the people to make for the priests. (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

It is not clear what these are. They were objects that the priest somehow used to determine the will of God. (See: INVALID translate/translate-unknown)

Leviticus 8:9

These are special garments that Yahweh commanded the people to make for the priests. (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

a man’s head covering that is a long piece of cloth wrapped around the head

These two phrases refer to the same thing. It was a plate of pure gold attached to the turban.

Leviticus 8:11

These are all the pots, pans, shovels, and forks used at the altar.

This is a bronze basin that was located between the altar and the tabernacle.

This is a bronze stand on which the washbasin was placed.

Leviticus 8:12

“Moses poured”

Leviticus 8:13

This is the plural form of “sash.” See how you translated this in Leviticus 8:7.

Leviticus 8:14

This is a symbolic action that identifies Aaron and his sons with the animal they are offering. In this way they are offering themselves to Yahweh through the animal. See how you translated this in Leviticus 1:4. (See: INVALID translate/translate-symaction)

Leviticus 8:15

This refers to the corners of the altar. They are shaped like the horns of an ox. See how you translated this in Leviticus 4:7.

“set the altar apart for God”

Here “atonement” means to make the altar fit for use in serving God. Alternate translation: “in order to make it a suitable place for burning sacrifices for sin”

Leviticus 8:16

This is the stomach and intestines. See how you translated this in Leviticus 1:9.

See how you translated these words in Leviticus 3:4.

Leviticus 8:17

the coat or skin of a herd animal

Leviticus 8:18

Leviticus 8:20

“Moses cut the ram”

Leviticus 8:21

Yahweh being pleased with the sincere worshiper who offered the sacrifice is spoken of as if God were pleased with the aroma of the burning sacrifice. See how you translated a similar phrase in Leviticus 1:9. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “an offering he burned to Yahweh” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 8:22

The word “consecration” is an abstract noun. Alternate translation: “the ram for setting Aaron and his sons apart for service to God” (See: INVALID translate/figs-abstractnouns)

This is a symbolic action that identifies Aaron and his sons with the animal they are offering. In this way the they are offering themselves to Yahweh through the animal. See how you translated this in Leviticus 1:4. (See: INVALID translate/translate-symaction)

Leviticus 8:23

It is implied that Moses caught the blood in a bowl as the blood drained out from the animal. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 8:25

the inner parts - This is the stomach and intestines. See how you translated this in Leviticus 1:9.

See how you translated these words in Leviticus 3:4.

The thigh is the upper part of the leg above the knee. See how you translated this in Leviticus 7:32.

Leviticus 8:26

This does not refer to the location of the basket of bread. It means this is the bread that Moses had dedicated to Yahweh.

Leviticus 8:27

Here “hands” represents the whole person. Alternate translation: “gave it all to Aaron and his sons” (See: INVALID translate/figs-synecdoche)

It is implied that Aaron and his sons presented the offering. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. Alternate translation: “they waved them before Yahweh as a wave offering” (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

This is a symbolic action that dedicates the offering to Yahweh. (See: INVALID translate/translate-symaction)

Leviticus 8:28

Here “them” refers to the fat, thigh, and all of the bread.

Here “hands” represents the whole person. Alternate translation: “from Aaron and his sons” (See: INVALID translate/figs-synecdoche)

“They were an offering for setting Aaron and his sons apart for service to Yahweh”

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “a burnt offering to Yahweh” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 8:29

the front part of the animal’s body below the neck

an official ceremony that makes someone a priest

Leviticus 8:31

This means the basket contains offerings used while consecrating Aaron and his sons. Alternate translation: “the basket”

This has a quotation within a quotation. A direct quotation can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “as I commanded you to do” (See:INVALID translate/figs-quotesinquotes and INVALID translate/figs-quotations)

Leviticus 8:33

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “until you fulfill the days of your ordination” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This is an official ceremony that makes someone a priest. See how you translated this in Leviticus 8:29.

Leviticus 8:34

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “us to do” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

The abstract noun “atonement” can be stated as a verb. Alternate translation: “to atone for your sins” (See: INVALID translate/figs-abstractnouns)

Leviticus 8:35

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “this is what he has commanded me” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 9

Leviticus 09 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Aaron begins to function as the high priest in this chapter. (See: INVALID bible/kt/highpriest)

Special concepts in this chapter

Following Yahweh’s instructions

Great care is taken to show that Aaron perfectly followed Yahweh’s instructions. Moses records every detail to show how Aaron correctly followed Yahweh.

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

“Fire came out from Yahweh”

Aaron did not create the fire that consumed his sacrifice. Instead, Yahweh miraculously began the fire which consumed the sacrifice. This showed that the sacrifice was acceptable to him. (See: INVALID bible/kt/miracle)

Leviticus 9:1

The word “eighth” is the ordinal number for eight. (See: INVALID translate/translate-ordinal)

Leviticus 9:2

“to Yahweh” or “in the presence of Yahweh”

Leviticus 9:3

Moses continues speaking to Aaron.

Moses continues speaking to Aaron. This is the beginning of a direct quote within a direct quote. You can change this into an indirect quote. Alternate translation: “You must tell the people of Israel to take a male goat…burnt offering” (See:INVALID translate/figs-quotesinquotes and INVALID translate/figs-quotations)

“twelve months of age”

Leviticus 9:4

Moses continues speaking to Aaron. If you have begun an indirect quotation in verse 8, continue it here. “and to take an ox…will appear to them” (See:INVALID translate/figs-quotesinquotes and INVALID translate/figs-quotations)

“to sacrifice to Yahweh”

Leviticus 9:6

Here “you” refers to the people of Israel. (See: INVALID translate/figs-you)

Here “glory” represents the presence of Yahweh. Alternate translation: “so that he may show you the glory of his presence” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metonymy)

Leviticus 9:7

These are two different sacrifices. The first sacrifice is to atone for the sins of the high priest. When the high priest sins it also makes the people guilty (Leviticus 4:3). The second sacrifice is to atone of the sins the people themselves commit.

Leviticus 9:9

This implies that they caught the blood in a bowl as the blood drained from the animal. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

This refers to the corners of the altar. They are shaped like the horns of an ox. See how you translated this in Leviticus 4:7.

“at the bottom of the altar”

Leviticus 9:10

“Aaron burned”

See how you translated these words in Leviticus 3:4.

Leviticus 9:11

This is the coat or skin of a herd animal. See how you translated this in Leviticus 7:8.

Leviticus 9:12

It is implied that the sons caught the blood in a bowl as the blood drained from the animal. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 9:14

the inner parts - This is the stomach and intestines. See how you translated this in Leviticus 1:9.

Leviticus 9:15

The word “first” is the ordinal number for one. Alternate translation: “the goat for his own offering” (See: INVALID translate/translate-ordinal)

Leviticus 9:17

This refers to the first sacrifice of each day. The priests would offer this burnt sacrifice in the morning before any other sacrifice. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 9:18

“Aaron killed”

It is implied that the blood was in a bowl. The full meaning of this statement may be made explicit. (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 9:19

This is the stomach and intestines. See how you translated this in Leviticus 1:9.

See how you translated these words in Leviticus 3:4.

Leviticus 9:20

“Aaron’s sons took the parts”

The word “these” refers to the fat and inner parts listed previously.

This is front part of the animal’s body below the neck. See how you translated this in Leviticus 7:30.

Leviticus 9:21

This is the upper part of the leg above the knee. See how you translated this in Leviticus 7:32.

“to Yahweh”

Leviticus 9:22

The phrase “came down” is used because the place of the altar was higher than where the people were standing.

Leviticus 9:23

Here “glory” represents Yahweh’s presence. Alternate translation: “Yahweh showed all the people the glory of his presence” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metonymy)

Leviticus 9:24

“Yahweh sent a fire that consumed”

The fire completely burning up the offering is spoken of as if the fire consumed or used up the burnt offering. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

“lay with their faces to the ground.” This is a sign respect and honor. (See: INVALID translate/translate-symaction)

Leviticus 10

Leviticus 10 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 10:3.

Special concepts in this chapter

Mourning

Aaron was told that he and his remaining sons should not mourn Aaron’s sons who were killed. As priests, they must put priestly work first, before their mourning and personal problems.

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

“Unapproved fire”

The phrase “unapproved fire “ indicates that Aaron’s son offered an unacceptable sacrifice. Because of Yahweh’s holiness, this was a serious sin. They may have offered a sacrifice at the wrong time or in the wrong way. (See: INVALID bible/kt/holy and INVALID bible/kt/sin)

Leviticus 10:1

These are the names of Aaron’s sons. (See: INVALID translate/translate-names)

a shallow metal container which priests used to carry hot coals or incense

“put burning coals in it”

“But Yahweh did not approve of their offering because it was not according to what he commanded them to offer”

“unapproved fire to Yahweh”

Leviticus 10:2

“So Yahweh sent a fire”

“came out from Yahweh”

The fire completely burning the men up is spoken of as if the fire devoured or completely used them up. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

“they died in the presence of Yahweh”

Leviticus 10:3

This has a quotation within a quotation. A direct quotation can be stated as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “This is what Yahweh was talking about when he said that he would reveal his holiness…who come near him, and that he will be glorified…people.” (See:INVALID translate/figs-quotesinquotes and INVALID translate/figs-quotations)

The phrase “those who come near me” refers to the priests that serve Yahweh. “I will show those that come near to serve me that I am holy” or “Those who come near to serve me must treat me as holy”

This second part of Yahweh’s statement still concerns the priest, who are the ones who come near to Yahweh. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “They must glorify me before all the people” or “They must honor me in the presence of all the people” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 10:4

These are names of men. (See: INVALID translate/translate-names)

This does not mean they were literal brothers. Here “brothers” means relatives or cousins.

Leviticus 10:5

“So Mishael and Elzaphan came near”

carried the bodies of Nadab and Abihu, which still had on the priestly tunics

Leviticus 10:6

These are the names of Aaron’s sons. (See: INVALID translate/translate-names)

Yahweh is telling Aaron and his sons not to show any outward signs of grief or mourning. (See: INVALID translate/translate-symaction)

“so that you will not die”

Here “assembly” means the whole congregation of Israel, not just a group of leaders. Alternate translation: “not be angry with all the people of Israel” (See: INVALID translate/figs-synecdoche)

Here “house” represents the people. Alternate translation: “all the people of Israel” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metonymy)

“for those whom Yahweh killed with his fire”

Leviticus 10:9

Here “This” refers back to the command for the priests to not drink wine or strong drink when they enter the tent of meeting.

See how you translated these words in Leviticus 3:17.

Leviticus 10:10

You can start a new sentence here. “You must do this so that you will be able to distinguish”

The nominal adjectives “the holy” and “the common” can be stated as adjectives. Alternate translation: “between what is holy and what is common” or “between what is dedicated to God and what is ordinary” (See: INVALID translate/figs-nominaladj)

The nominal adjectives “the unclean” and “the clean” can be stated as adjectives. Alternate translation: “between what is unclean and what is clean” or “between what God will not accept and what he will accept” (See: INVALID translate/figs-nominaladj)

A person or thing that Yahweh has stated is unfit to touch is spoken of as if they were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

A person or thing that Yahweh has stated is fit to touch is spoken of as if they were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 10:12

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the burnt offerings to Yahweh” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

“for the grain offering is most holy”

Leviticus 10:13

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh commanded me to tell you” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 10:14

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “The breast and thigh that a person waved and presented to Yahweh” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

the upper part of the leg above the knee

A place that is fit to be used for God’s purposes is spoken of as if it were physically clean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “for Yahweh has given them as your share” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Here “You” refers to Aaron. (See: INVALID translate/figs-you)

Leviticus 10:15

the front part of the animal’s body below the neck

Translate this so it is understood that the portion belongs to Aaron and his sons. Alternate translation: “This portion will always be for you and your sons” (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 10:16

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the priests had burned it all” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

See how you translated these names in Leviticus 10:6.

Leviticus 10:17

Moses uses a question to rebuke Eleazar and Ithamar. This rhetorical question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: “You should have eaten…before him.” (See: INVALID translate/figs-rquestion)

“since the sin offering is most holy”

Causing Yahweh to forgive the people of Israel is spoken of as if iniquity were an object that Yahweh takes from the people. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

“in his presence”

Leviticus 10:18

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “you did not bring its blood” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 10:19

Aaron is referring to the death of his two sons.

These sacrifices were to be eaten with joy and happiness. Aaron uses a question to emphasize that Yahweh would not be pleased for him to eat the sacrifices since he is sad because of his sons’ deaths. This question may be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: “certainly, Yahweh would not have been pleased.” (See: INVALID translate/figs-rquestion)

Leviticus 11

Leviticus 11 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Laws about food

This chapter contains a list of the animals the Israelites were not allowed to eat. Further research may be needed to determine the exact location of different parts of an animal. Many of these foods are not consumed to this day because they cause diseases, but it is unclear why the other foods are prohibited.

=##### Special concepts in this chapter Eating unclean foods made a person unclean. The process of consuming these types of foods spread the uncleanliness to a person. (See: INVALID bible/kt/clean)

Leviticus 11:2

“out of all the animals”

Leviticus 11:3

Yahweh continues telling Moses and Aaron what he permits the people to eat and what he forbids them to eat.

This means a hoof that is split into two parts instead of being one whole.

This means an animal that brings its food up from its stomach and chews it again.

Leviticus 11:4

That is, they have one or the other, but not both.

The camel being unfit for the people to eat is spoken of as if it were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 11:5

Yahweh continues telling Moses and Aaron what he permits the people to eat and what he forbids them to eat.

a small animal that lives in rocky places (See: INVALID translate/translate-unknown)

These animals which God declared to be unfit for the people to eat are spoken of as if they were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 11:6

a small animal with long ears that usually lives in holes in the ground

Leviticus 11:8

“nor touch their dead bodies”

Leviticus 11:9

Yahweh continues telling Moses and Aaron what he permits the people to eat and what he forbids them to eat.

the thin, flat part that the fish uses to move through the water

the small plates that cover the body of the fish

Leviticus 11:10

“all creatures that live in the ocean or rivers that do not have fins and scales”

Yahweh commands the people to reject and despise eating these creatures. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “you must detest them” or “you must completely reject them” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 11:11

Yahweh continues telling Moses and Aaron what he permits the people to eat and what he forbids them to eat.

“detest”is to reject and despise an object. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Since you must detest them” or “Since you must completely reject them” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “you must detest their dead bodies” or “you must not touch their dead bodies” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 11:12

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “you must detest” or “you must completely reject” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 11:13

Yahweh continues telling Moses and Aaron what he permits the people to eat and what he forbids them to eat.

These are birds that are either awake at night or feed on rodents and dead animals. (See: INVALID translate/translate-unknown)

Leviticus 11:14

These are birds that are either awake at night or feed on rodents and dead animals. (See: INVALID translate/translate-unknown)

Leviticus 11:15

These are birds that are either awake at night or feed on rodents and dead animals. (See: INVALID translate/translate-unknown)

Leviticus 11:16

These are birds that are either awake at night or feed on rodents and dead animals. (See: INVALID translate/translate-unknown)

Leviticus 11:17

Yahweh continues telling Moses and Aaron what he permits the people to eat and what he forbids them to eat.

These are birds that eat rodents and insects and are awake mainly at night. (See: INVALID translate/translate-unknown)

“the large owl”

Leviticus 11:18

These are birds that eat rodents and insects and are awake mainly at night. (See: INVALID translate/translate-unknown)

Leviticus 11:19

These are birds that feed on rodents and lizards.

These are birds that eat rodents and insects and are awake mainly at night. (See: INVALID translate/translate-unknown)

Although not a bird, the bat is included in this list because it has wings and flies. It has a furry body and is awake mainly at night. It eats insects and rodents.

Leviticus 11:20

Yahweh continues telling Moses and Aaron what he permits the people to eat and what he forbids them to eat.

The word “detestable” can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “You will detest all winged insects that walk on four legs” (See: INVALID translate/figs-abstractnouns)

Here the phrase “four legs” is an idiom that means to crawl on the ground and sets these insects apart from other flying things, such as birds, that have only two feet. Alternate translation: “insects that crawl on the ground” (See: INVALID translate/figs-idiom)

Leviticus 11:22

These are small insects that eat plants and can jump. (See: INVALID translate/translate-unknown)

Leviticus 11:23

“flying insects that have four legs”

Leviticus 11:24

Yahweh begins to tell Moses and Aaron which animals the people are to consider unclean.

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “The dead bodies of these animals will make you unclean if you touch any of them” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

A person who is unacceptable for God’s purposes because he has touched one of these dead animals is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

This refers to the animals he is about to list in the following verses.

Leviticus 11:26

Yahweh continues telling Moses and Aaron which animals the people are to consider unclean.

These animals that God declared to be unfit for the people to eat are spoken of as if they were physically dirty. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

This means a hoof that is split into two parts instead of being one whole. See how you translated these in Leviticus 11:3.

This means an animal that brings its food up from its stomach and chews it again. See how you translated these in Leviticus 11:3.

A person who is unacceptable for God’s purposes because he has touched one of these animals is spoken of as if he were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 11:27

animal feet with claws

“until sunset”

Leviticus 11:29

Yahweh continues telling Moses and Aaron which animals the people are to consider unclean.

These animals that God declared to be unfit for people to touch or eat are spoken of as if they were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

a small animal with brown fur that eats birds and small animals (See: INVALID translate/translate-unknown)

These are different kinds of reptiles with four legs. (See: INVALID translate/translate-unknown)

Leviticus 11:30

These are different kinds of reptiles with four legs. (See: INVALID translate/translate-unknown)

“sand lizard”

Leviticus 11:31

Yahweh continues telling Moses and Aaron which animals the people are to consider unclean.

These animals that God declared to be unfit for people to touch or eat are spoken of as if they were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

A person who is unacceptable for God’s purposes because he has touched one of these dead animals is spoken of as if he were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

“until sunset”

Leviticus 11:32

Something that God has declared to be unfit for people to touch because one of these dead animals has fallen on it is spoken of as if it were physically unclean. It is spoken of as physically clean after it has been washed. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Something that God has declared to be fit for people to touch after it has been washed is spoken of as if it were physically clean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “however you use it, you must put it into water” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 11:34

Food becomes unacceptable for the people to eat because unclean water has fallen on it is spoken of as if it were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 11:35

dead bodies

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “You must break it to pieces” or “You must shatter it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 11:36

Yahweh continues telling Moses and Aaron which animals the people are to consider unclean.

Water that the people are permitted to drink from a spring or cistern is spoken of as if it were physically clean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

The dead body of an animal that God has declared to be unfit for the people to touch or eat is spoken of as if it were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

A person who is unacceptable for God’s purposes because he has touched the carcass of one of these animals is spoken of as if he were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 11:37

“seeds that you intend to plant”

Seeds that God has permitted the people to plant are spoken of as if they are physically clean, and those that he has not permitted are spoken of as if they were unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 11:38

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “But if you put water on the seeds” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 11:39

A person who is unacceptable for God’s purposes because he touches the body of a dead animal is spoken of as if he were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

“until sunset”

Leviticus 11:41

Yahweh continues telling Moses and Aaron which animals the people are to consider unclean.

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “you must not eat it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 11:43

Yahweh continues telling Moses and Aaron which animals the people are to consider unclean.

Yahweh repeats the same idea twice in order to strengthen the command that they are not to eat any unclean animal. (See: INVALID translate/figs-parallelism)

A person who is unacceptable for God’s purposes is spoken of as if he were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “so that you are no longer pure because of them” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 11:46

Yahweh finishes telling Moses and Aaron what he permits the people to eat and what he forbids them to eat.

Leviticus 11:47

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “for which you must distinguish between” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Animals that God declared to be unfit for the people to touch or eat are spoken of as if they were physically unclean, and those which he declared to be acceptable for the people to touch and eat are spoken of as if they were physically clean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “that you may eat…that you may not eat” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 12

Leviticus 12 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Menstruation

A woman was considered to be unclean after she began to bleed from her womb every month and after having a baby. This was because all blood was considered to be unclean. (See: INVALID bible/kt/clean and INVALID bible/kt/blood)

Leviticus 12:2

A woman whom other people must not touch because she is bleeding from her womb is spoken of as if she were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

This refers to the time of the month when a woman bleeds from her womb. (See: INVALID translate/figs-euphemism)

Leviticus 12:3

Only the priest could perform this action. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “a priest must circumcise the baby boy” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 12:4

This means that the mother will remain impure for thirty-three days.

“33 days” (See: INVALID translate/translate-numbers)

Leviticus 12:5

A woman whom other people must not touch because she is bleeding from her womb is spoken of as if she were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

“for 14 days”

This refers to the time of the month when a woman bleeds from her womb. See how you translated this in Leviticus 12:2. (See: INVALID translate/figs-euphemism)

“66 days”

Leviticus 12:6

“When the days of the mother’s purification are finished”

This refers to the different number of days for purification based on if she gave birth to a son or daughter.

Leviticus 12:7

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “this will cleanse her from her bleeding occurring during childbirth” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 12:8

Translate this so it clarifies the woman’s inability to purchase a sacrificial animal. Alternate translation: “If she does not have enough money to buy a lamb” (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

A woman whom other people may touch is spoken of as if she were physically clean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 13

Leviticus 13 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Skin disease

This chapter addresses the ways a priest was to decide if a person had a skin disease, which would make a person unclean. This was important because these diseases could have easily spread among the people in the ancient Near East. This is also true concerning things growing on clothing or things that touch a person’s skin. (See: INVALID bible/kt/priest and INVALID bible/kt/clean)

Leviticus 13:2

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “then someone must bring him” or “then he must go” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

“to one of Aaron’s sons”

Leviticus 13:3

Yahweh continues telling Moses and Aaron what the people must do.

Here “his” refers to the person with the skin disease.

a sickness that can spread easily from one person to another

“the priest must pronounce the man unclean.” The man whom other people must not touch is spoken of as if he were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 13:4

“for 7 days” (See: INVALID translate/translate-numbers)

Leviticus 13:5

Here “him” refers to the person with the skin disease.

This means if the skin disease has not increased in size or moved to other parts of the body.

“day 7” (See: INVALID translate/translate-ordinal)

“7 days” (See: INVALID translate/translate-numbers)

Leviticus 13:6

The man whom other people may touch is spoken of as if he were physically clean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

This is an area of the skin that is irritated, but the rash will not spread to other people.

Leviticus 13:7

This refers to the person with the skin disease.

Leviticus 13:8

The man whom other people must not touch is spoken of as if he were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

See how you translated these words in Leviticus 13:3.

Leviticus 13:9

The priests determined if a disease was spreading. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “someone must bring him to the priest” or “he must go to the priest” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 13:10

Here “raw flesh” could refer to open sores on the skin or it could refer to new skin that has grown, but the area around it is still diseased. Either one indicates that the skin disease is not healing properly.

Leviticus 13:11

This is a disease that continues or reoccurs over a long period of time.

The man whom other people must not touch is spoken of as if he were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 13:12

Yahweh continues telling Moses and Aaron what the people must do when someone has a skin disease.

Leviticus 13:13

The man whom other people may touch is spoken of as if he were physically clean and the man whom other people must not touch is spoken of as if he were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 13:14

Leviticus 13:15

The man whom other people must not touch is spoken of as if he were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Here “him” refers to the person with the skin disease.

See how you translated these words in Leviticus 13:10.

See how you translated these words in Leviticus 13:3.

Leviticus 13:17

The man whom other people may touch is spoken of as if he were physically clean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 13:18

Yahweh continues telling Moses and Aaron what the people must do when someone has a skin disease.

a painful area on the skin that is infected

Leviticus 13:19

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “then he must show it to the priest” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 13:20

The man whom other people must not touch is spoken of as if he were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 13:21

Yahweh continues telling Moses and Aaron what the people must do when someone has a skin disease.

Here “it” refers to the white swelling or bright spot on the skin.

Leviticus 13:22

The man whom other people must not touch is spoken of as if he were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 13:23

The man whom other people may touch is spoken of as if he were physically clean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 13:24

Yahweh continues telling Moses and Aaron what the people must do when someone has a skin disease.

Leviticus 13:25

See how you translated these words in Leviticus 13:3.

The man whom other people must not touch is spoken of as if he were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 13:26

Yahweh continues telling Moses and Aaron what the people must do when someone has a skin disease.

Here “it” refers to the burn on the person’s skin.

Leviticus 13:27

The man whom other people must not touch is spoken of as if he were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

See how you translated these words in Leviticus 13:3.

Leviticus 13:28

The man whom other people may touch is spoken of as if he were physically clean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 13:29

Yahweh continues telling Moses and Aaron what the people must do when someone has a skin disease.

Leviticus 13:30

The man whom other people must not touch is spoken of as if he were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 13:31

Yahweh continues telling Moses and Aaron what the people must do when someone has a skin disease.

Leviticus 13:32

Yahweh continues telling Moses and Aaron what the people must do when someone has a skin disease.

Leviticus 13:33

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the person must shave the hair near the sore but not the hair on the sore” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 13:34

Yahweh continues telling Moses and Aaron what the people must do when someone has a skin disease.”

Here “the disease” refers to the disease on the person’s head or chin.

The man whom other people may touch is spoken of as if he were physically clean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 13:35

Yahweh continues telling Moses and Aaron what the people must do when someone has a skin disease.

The man whom other people may touch is spoken of as if he were physically clean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 13:36

The man whom other people must not touch is spoken of as if he were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 13:37

The man whom other people may touch is spoken of as if he were physically clean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 13:38

Yahweh continues telling Moses and Aaron what the people must do when someone has a skin disease.

Leviticus 13:39

“a faded white”

See how you translated this word in Leviticus 13:6.

Here “He” refers to both men and women in general. Alternate translation: “That person is clean” (See: INVALID translate/figs-gendernotations)

The person whom other people may touch is spoken of as if he were physically clean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 13:40

Yahweh continues telling Moses and Aaron what the people must do when someone has a skin disease.

The person whom other people may touch is spoken of as if he were physically clean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 13:42

Yahweh continues telling Moses and Aaron what the people must do when someone has a skin disease.

See how you translated these words in Leviticus 13:3.

Leviticus 13:44

The person whom other people must not touch is spoken of as if he were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 13:45

Yahweh continues telling Moses and Aaron what the people must do when someone has a skin disease.

The person whom other people must not touch is spoken of as if he were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 13:46

The camp is the area where the majority of Israelites lived. The unclean person was not permitted to live among them because his disease may spread to others.

Leviticus 13:47

“A garment that has mildew on it” or “A garment that mildews”

to become impure because something harmful has been added to it

a fungus, often white in color, that grows on things that are damp or moist

Leviticus 13:48

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “or anything that someone has woven or knitted” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 13:49

“if there is greenish or reddish mildew in the garment”

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the owner must show it to a priest” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 13:50

“7 days” (See: INVALID translate/translate-numbers)

Leviticus 13:51

“Seventh” is the ordinal number for 7. Alternate translation: “day 7” (See: INVALID translate/translate-ordinal)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “anything in which a person uses leather” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Something that God has declared to be unfit for people to touch is spoken of as if it were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 13:52

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “anything on which he found the harmful mildew” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

The harmful mildew could cause disease in a person who comes in contact with the item.

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “He must burn the item completely” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 13:54

“then the priest will command the owners” Here the priest is telling the people what to do with household items that were possibly infected.

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “in which they found the mildew” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 13:55

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “after they washed the mildewed item” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Something that God has declared to be unfit for people to touch is spoken of as if it were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Here “you” does not refer to the priest specifically. It just means someone must burn the object.

Leviticus 13:56

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “after the owner washed it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 13:57

Here “you” does not refer to the priest specifically. It just means someone must burn the item.

Leviticus 13:58

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “if the owner washes it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “then the owner must wash it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Something that God has declared to be fit for people to touch is spoken of as if it were physically clean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 13:59

See how you translated these words in Leviticus 13:47-48.

“so that a priest may declare it”

Something that God has declared to be fit for people to touch is spoken of as if it were physically clean and something that God has declared to be unfit for people to touch is spoken of as if it were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 14

Leviticus 14 General Notes

Structure and formatting

This chapter is a continuation of the material in the previous chapter.

Special concepts in this chapter

Skin disease and mildew

This chapter addresses the ways a priest was to decide if a person had a skin disease, which would make a person unclean. This was important because these diseases could have easily spread among the people in the ancient Near East. This was also true for the things which could have touched a person’s skin. This chapter explains how the priest was to treat the person suffering with a skin disease. (See: INVALID bible/kt/priest and INVALID bible/kt/clean)

Leviticus 14:1

Yahweh tells Moses and Aaron what the people must do when someone is cleansed of a skin disease.

Leviticus 14:2

This refers to the day on which the priest declares the person to be ritually clean.

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Someone must bring him to the priest” or “He must go to the priest” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 14:3

Yahweh continues telling Moses and Aaron what the people must do when someone is cleansed of a skin disease.

See how you translated these words in Leviticus 13:3.

Leviticus 14:4

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the person he is cleansing” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Birds that God allowed the people to eat and offer as sacrifices are spoken of as if they were physically clean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

“red yarn”

an herb with a pleasant smell that was used for medicine (See: INVALID translate/translate-unknown)

Leviticus 14:6

Yahweh continues telling Moses and Aaron what the people must do when someone is cleansed of a skin disease.

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the bird that the person killed” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 14:7

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the person he is cleansing” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

The person whom other people may touch and who is acceptable for God’s purposes is spoken of as if he were physically clean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 14:8

Yahweh tells Moses and Aaron what the people must do when someone is cleansed of a skin disease.

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “The person whom the priest is cleansing” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

The person whom other people may touch is spoken of as if he were physically clean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 14:10

Here “he” refers to the man who was cleansed.

One ephah is 22 liters. (See: INVALID translate/translate-bvolume)

One log is 0.31 liters. (See: INVALID translate/translate-bvolume)

Leviticus 14:11

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the person he is cleansing” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 14:12

One log is 0.31 liters. (See: INVALID translate/translate-bvolume)

Leviticus 14:13

This phrase clarifies the previous phrase and further defines where the priest was to kill the lamb.

Leviticus 14:14

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the person he is cleansing” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 14:15

One log is 0.31 liters. (See: INVALID translate/translate-bvolume)

Leviticus 14:16

“sprinkle some of the oil…in Yahweh’s presence.” There is no indication of what the priest sprinkled the oil on.

Leviticus 14:17

“the rest of the oil that is in his hand”

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the person whom he is cleansing” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 14:18

“in Yahweh’s presence”

Leviticus 14:19

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the person he is cleansing” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 14:20

The person whom other people may touch is spoken of as if he were physically clean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 14:21

Yahweh continues telling Moses and Aaron what the people must do when someone is cleansed of a skin disease.

“does not have enough money to buy”

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “that the priest will wave…for him” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

One-tenth of an ephah is 22 liters. (See: INVALID translate/translate-bvolume)

One log is 0.31 liters. (See: INVALID translate/translate-bvolume)

Leviticus 14:24

One log is 0.31 liters. (See: INVALID translate/translate-bvolume)

Leviticus 14:25

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the one he is cleansing” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 14:26

Yahweh continues telling Moses and Aaron what the people must do when someone is cleansed of a skin disease.

Leviticus 14:27

“sprinkle…some of the oil…in Yahweh’s presence.” There is no indication of what the priest sprinkled the oil on.

Leviticus 14:28

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the one he is cleansing” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 14:30

“The priest must offer”

Leviticus 14:31

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the one he is cleansing” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 14:32

See how you translated these words in Leviticus 13:3.

Translate this so it is clear that the person does not have enough money to purchase a standard offering. Alternate translation: “who does not have enough money to buy” (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 14:34

Here “you” refers to the people of Israel. (See: INVALID translate/figs-you)

See how you translated this word in Leviticus 13:47.

The word “possession” can be translated as a verb. Alternate translation: “in the land that you possess” (See: INVALID translate/figs-abstractnouns)

Leviticus 14:36

Once the priest declared the house to be unclean, everything in the house became unclean, as well. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “so that he does not need to declare anything left in the house to be unclean” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

The house that Yahweh has stated is unfit for people to touch or live in is spoken of as if it were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 14:37

This means the priest is to determine whether mildew has gone deeper that just the surface of the walls.

Leviticus 14:40

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “in which they found the mildew” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

A place that is unfit for people to occupy or to be used for God’s purposes is spoken of as if it were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 14:41

Here “He” refers to the priest.

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “that the owner scrapes all the inside walls” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This refers to the material with mildew on it. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the contaminated material that they scraped off” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

A place that is unfit for people to occupy or to be used for God’s purposes is spoken of as if it were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 14:42

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the stones that they removed” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

“they must cover the stones with new clay”

Leviticus 14:43

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “in the house after the owner takes away the stones, scrapes the walls, and covers the new stones with clay” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 14:44

A house that is unfit for people to occupy is spoken of as if it were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 14:45

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “They must tear the house down” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “They must carry away the stones, timber, and all the plaster in the house” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 14:46

A person whom other people may not touch and who is not acceptable for God’s purposes because he has entered the house is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

“until sunset”

Leviticus 14:48

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the owner put new clay on the stones” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

A place that is fit for people to occupy is spoken of as if it were physically clean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 14:49

See how you translated these words in Leviticus 14:4.

Leviticus 14:51

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the blood of the bird that he killed” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 14:52

“The priest will make the house ritually clean”

Leviticus 14:53

A house that is fit for people to occupy is spoken of as if it were physically clean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 14:54

See how you translated these words in Leviticus 13:3.

Leviticus 14:55

See how you translated this word in Leviticus 13:47.

Leviticus 14:56

See how you translated this word in Leviticus 13:6.

Leviticus 14:57

People and items that other people may not touch are spoken of as if they were physically unclean, and those which people may touch are spoken of as if they were physically clean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 15

Leviticus 15 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Bodily fluid

This chapter discusses fluids that come out of the body. These fluids caused a person to be unclean because of their potential to cause diseases. (See: INVALID bible/kt/clean)

Cleanliness

While these rules about cleanliness are intended to benefit the Israelites and promote their health, they also were about making Israel into a separate and holy nation, different from the rest of the world. (See: INVALID bible/kt/holy)

Leviticus 15:2

This refers to the man’s private parts. (See: INVALID translate/figs-euphemism)

The person whom other people may not touch is spoken of as if he were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 15:3

“his body is unclean” or “he is unclean”

Leviticus 15:4

The bed or anything that the man sits on that other people must not touch are spoken of as if they were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 15:5

The person whom other people may not touch is spoken of as if he were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

“until sunset”

Leviticus 15:6

The person whom other people may not touch is spoken of as if he were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

“until sunset”

Leviticus 15:7

“who touches any part of the body”

Leviticus 15:8

The person whom other people may touch is spoken of as if he were physically clean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

The person whom other people may not touch is spoken of as if he were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 15:9

A saddle is a leather seat that a person puts on the back of a horse in order to ride it.

Something that Yahweh has stated is unfit to touch is spoken of as if it were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 15:10

Yahweh continues telling Moses and Aaron what the people must do to avoid infection.

This refers to the person with the infected fluid.

The person whom other people may not touch is spoken of as if he were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

“until sunset”

Leviticus 15:11

“Whomever the person with the infected flow touches”

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the person whom he touched” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 15:12

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Someone must break any clay pot that the one with such a flow of fluid touches” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “someone must rinse every wooden container in water” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 15:13

The man recovering from his sickness is spoken of as if he becomes physically clean. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “recovers from his flow” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor and INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

The man whom other people may touch is spoken of as if he were physically clean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 15:16

People and objects that other people must not touch are spoken of as if they were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

“until sunset”

Leviticus 15:17

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Someone must wash with water every garment or leather on which there is semen” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 15:18

This is a euphemism. Alternate translation: “man has sexual relations with a woman” (See: INVALID translate/figs-euphemism)

Leviticus 15:19

This word refers to the time when blood flows from a woman’s womb.

“she will continue to be impure”

People and objects that other people must not touch are spoken of as if they were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 15:20

These words refer to the time when blood flows from a woman’s womb.

Leviticus 15:21

This refers to the woman who is menstruating.

The person whom other people may not touch is spoken of as if he were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

“until sunset”

Leviticus 15:24

This is a polite way of speaking of sexual relations. You may have to use other words in your translation. Alternate translation: “If any man has sexual relations with her” (See: INVALID translate/figs-euphemism)

“her unclean flow” or “the blood from her womb”

People and objects that other people must not touch are spoken of as if they were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 15:25

This means that if the woman bleeds from her womb at any time other than her regular menstruation time, she is still unclean just like during her menstruation.

People whom other people may not touch are spoken of as if they were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 15:26

Objects that other people must not touch are spoken of as if they were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 15:27

People whom other people may not touch are spoken of as if they were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 15:28

The word “she” refers to the woman who is menstruating.

The woman recovering from her bleeding is spoken of as if she becomes physically clean. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “recovers from her flow of blood” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor and INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

The woman whom other people may touch is spoken of as if she were physically clean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 15:29

“she will take for herself”

Leviticus 15:30

“her flow of blood that makes her unclean”

Leviticus 15:31

Yahweh speaks of preventing the people from becoming unclean as if it were keeping the people at a safe distance from uncleanness. The abstract noun “uncleanness” can be stated as “unclean.” Alternate translation: “This is how you must prevent the people of Israel from becoming unclean” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor and INVALID translate/figs-abstractnouns)

People whom other people may not touch and who are not acceptable for God’s purposes are spoken of as if they were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 15:32

“These are the things that must be done”

People whom other people may not touch are spoken of as if they were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 15:33

People whom other people may not touch are spoken of as if they were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

“who is menstruating” or “who is bleeding from her womb”

This is a polite way of speaking of sexual relations. You may have to use other words in your translation. Alternate translation: “who has sexual relations with” (See: INVALID translate/figs-euphemism)

Leviticus 16

Leviticus 16 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Holiness

Because Yahweh is holy, he can only be approached in a certain way. This could only happen on a specific day, by a specific person, and only after they offered the proper sacrifice to make themselves clean. (See: INVALID bible/kt/holy and INVALID bible/kt/clean)

Day of Atonement

This chapter gives rules for what the high priest had to do on the Day of Atonement. This was the most important day in Judaism. This is when he interceded for the sins of the people of Israel. (See: INVALID bible/kt/highpriest and INVALID bible/kt/atonement and INVALID bible/kt/sin)

Leviticus 16:1

This refers to Nadab and Abihu. They died because they brought fire to Yahweh that he did not approve (Leviticus 10:1-2).

Leviticus 16:3

“This is how”

Leviticus 16:4

clothing worn next to the skin under the outer clothes

a piece of cloth that ties around the waist or chest

head covering made from wrapped strips of cloth

Leviticus 16:5

“from the congregation”

Leviticus 16:6

“the sin offering for himself”

Leviticus 16:8

“the goat that is sent away.” Aaron was to have someone set the goat free in the wilderness.

Leviticus 16:9

“which the lot designated”

Leviticus 16:10

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “But Aaron must bring the goat…alive before Yahweh” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 16:11

Yahweh continues telling Moses what Aaron must do on the Day of Atonement.

Aaron would catch the blood of the bull in a bowl so he could later sprinkle it on the atonement lid. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 16:12

a container for fire and incense, used by the priests

“sweet-smelling incense.” This refers to the smell and not to the taste of the incense.

Leviticus 16:14

This is the blood Aaron caught with a bowl in Leviticus 16:11.

He used his finger to splash the blood.

He put the blood on the top part of the lid. He also put it on the side of the lid that was towards him as he entered the most holy place.

Possible meanings are 1) “below the atonement lid onto the chest” or 2) “onto the ground in front of the atonement lid.”

Leviticus 16:15

Yahweh continues telling Moses what Aaron must do on the Day of Atonement.

Aaron sprinkled the blood in the same manner that he did with the bull’s blood. See how you translated the previous instructions in Leviticus 16:14.

Leviticus 16:16

The sins of the people of Israel made the holy place unclean.

These words mean basically the same thing. They emphasize that the people have committed all kinds of sins.

Sinful actions which make people unacceptable to Yahweh are spoken of as if they were physically unclean actions. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

The phrase “their unclean actions” represents the people who commit sinful actions. Alternate translation: “in the presence of people who commit sinful actions” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metonymy)

Leviticus 16:18

This is the altar of sacrifice just inside the courtyard of the tabernacle.

Like the holy place and tent of meeting, the altar is unclean because of the sins of the people.

“the projections at the corners of the altar.” This refers to the corners of the altar. They are shaped like the horns of an ox. See how you translated this in Leviticus 4:7.

Leviticus 16:19

The altar being fit to be used for God’s purposes is spoken of as if it were physically clean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

The altar being dedicated to Yahweh is spoken of as if it were physically separated from the sins of the people. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Sinful actions which make people unacceptable to Yahweh are spoken of as if they were physically unclean actions. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 16:20

This goat is called the scapegoat in verse Leviticus 16:10.

Leviticus 16:21

“confess over the goat”

Aaron’s actions here were a symbolic transfer of the people’s sin to the goat as a sign that the goat would bear the punishment for their guilt. (See: INVALID translate/translate-symaction)

These all mean basically the same thing. Aaron is confessing every kind of sin that the people committed.

Leviticus 16:23

These were the special garments Aaron wore only when he entered the most holy place.

Leviticus 16:24

Here “holy place” does not refer to the tent of meeting. This was a different place set aside for him to bathe himself.

These are the clothes that Aaron wore for his ordinary duties.

Leviticus 16:25

“Aaron must burn”

Leviticus 16:26

The man was unclean because of his contact with the scapegoat, which carried the sin of the people.

“the goat that is sent away.” See how you translated this in Leviticus 16:8.

Leviticus 16:27

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “whose blood Aaron brought” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “someone must carry” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

“their skins.” Here “their” refers to the bull and the goat.

Leviticus 16:29

The word “you” is plural and refers to the people of Israel. (See: INVALID translate/figs-you)

This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. The tenth day is near the end of September on the western calendar. (See: INVALID translate/translate-hebrewmonths and INVALID translate/translate-ordinal)

Leviticus 16:30

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Aaron will make atonement for you” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

People who are acceptable for God’s purposes are spoken of as if they were physically clean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 16:31

This is not the same as the Sabbath they observed every week on the seventh day. This was a special Sabbath on the Day of Atonement.

Leviticus 16:32

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the one they will anoint and ordain” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

When the high priest died, one of his sons would replace him.

These are special clothes the high priest must wear when he enters the most holy place.

Leviticus 16:33

“for all the people of Israel”

Leviticus 16:34

Yahweh finishes telling Moses what the people must do on the Day of Atonement.

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “And Moses did as Yahweh commanded” or “And Aaron did as Yahweh commanded Moses” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 17

Leviticus 17 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Sacrifices

Sacrifices could only be offered by the priests at the temple. Any other sacrifice was strictly prohibited. This was probably intended to ensure that the people were only offering sacrifices to Yahweh and not to another god. (See: INVALID bible/kt/priest and INVALID bible/kt/falsegod)

Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

“The life of each creature is its blood”

It is unclear why the life is described as being in the blood. It is possible that diseases were more common in the blood and this is why it was prohibited. Blood is also necessary for life to continue in a creature. (See: INVALID bible/kt/life and INVALID bible/kt/blood)

Leviticus 17:4

“before Yahweh’s tabernacle”

A person being excluded from his community is spoken of as if he had been cut off from his people, as one would cut a piece of cloth or cut a branch from a tree. This can be translated in active form. See how you translated this in Leviticus 7:20. Alternate translation: “that person may no longer live among his people” or “you must separate that person from his people” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor and INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 17:5

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “to the priest so he may sacrifice them” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 17:7

The people being unfaithful to Yahweh by worshiping false gods is spoken of as if they were acting like a man who betrays his wife by committing adultery. Alternate translation: “for which they are unfaithful to Yahweh” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

See how you translated this phrase in Leviticus 3:17.

Leviticus 17:9

A person being excluded from his community is spoken of as if he had been cut off from his people, as one would cut a piece of cloth or cut a branch from a tree. This can be translated in active form. See how you translated this in Leviticus 7:20. Alternate translation: “that person may no longer live among his people” or “you must separate that person from his people” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor and INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 17:10

This idiom means he “firmly decided.” Alternate translation: “I have made up my mind to oppose that person” (See: INVALID translate/figs-idiom)

“will stare angrily at”

A person being excluded from his community is spoken of as if he had been cut off from his people, as one would cut a piece of cloth or cut a branch from a tree. Alternate translation: “I will not permit that person to live among his people any longer” or “I will separate that person from his people” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 17:11

This means God uses the blood to atone for the sins of the people because the blood is life. The people should not consume the blood because it has this special purpose.

Leviticus 17:12

Here “I” refers to Yahweh.

“no one among you may eat meat with blood in it”

Leviticus 17:13

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “that I have said they may eat” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

“cover the blood with dirt”

Leviticus 17:14

This means that the blood is enables the creature to be alive. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. Alternate translation: “each creature is able to live because of its blood” (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

A person being excluded from his community is spoken of as if he had been cut off from his people, as one would cut a piece of cloth or cut a branch from a tree. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Whoever eats blood may no longer live among his people” or “You must separate from his people anyone who eats blood” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor and INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 17:15

Yahweh continues speaking.

An animal being killed by wild animals is spoken of as if the wild animals tore the animal to pieces. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “that wild animals have killed” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor and INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

“is an Israelite”

The person whom other people may not touch is spoken of as if he were physically unclean and the person whom other people may touch is spoken of as if he were physically clean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

“until sunset”

Leviticus 17:16

A person’s guilt is spoken of as if it were a physical object that the person carries. Here the word “guilt” represents the punishment for that guilt. Alternate translation: “then he is responsible for his own guilt” or “then I will punish him for his sin” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor and INVALID translate/figs-metonymy)

Leviticus 18

Leviticus 18 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Uncovering nakedness

To “uncover nakedness” is a euphemism for having sexual relations with someone. This chapter gives many examples of people with whom Israelites were not to have sexual relations.

Leviticus 18:4

These two phrases mean basically the same thing and emphasize that the people must obey everything that Yahweh has commanded them to do. You can translate this parallelism into one statement that conveys the requirement to keep all of Yahweh’s commands. Alternate translation: “You must obey all of my laws and commandments” (See: INVALID translate/figs-parallelism)

Obeying Yahweh’s commandments is spoken of as if the commandments were a path on which the person walks. Alternate translation: “so that you conduct your behavior according to them” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 18:6

This is a euphemism. Alternate translation: “to have sexual relations” (See: INVALID translate/figs-euphemism)

Leviticus 18:7

This is a euphemism. Alternate translation: “Do not have sexual relations with” (See: INVALID translate/figs-euphemism)

This is a euphemism. Alternate translation: “you must not have sexual relations with her” (See: INVALID translate/figs-euphemism)

Leviticus 18:8

Sometimes men had more than one wife. God did not allow a son to have sexual intercourse with any woman married to his father.

“you are dishonoring your father”

Leviticus 18:9

This is a euphemism. See how this is translated in Leviticus 18:7. Alternate translation: “Do not have sexual relations with” (See: INVALID translate/figs-euphemism)

This means a man cannot have sexual intercourse with his sister if they have the same parents or even if she has a different mother or father.

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “whether she grew up at your home or far away from you” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 18:10

“you will dishonor both them and yourself”

Leviticus 18:11

Possible meanings are 1) “your half-sister” or 2) “your stepsister.” Here the man does not have the same father or mother as the woman. They became brother and sister when their parents married.

Leviticus 18:12

This is a euphemism. See how this is translated in Leviticus 18:7. Alternate translation: “Do not have sexual relations with” (See: INVALID translate/figs-euphemism)

Leviticus 18:14

You may have to make explicit the purpose of the approach. Alternate translation: “do not go to his wife in order to have sexual intercourse with her” (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 18:15

This is a euphemism. See how this is translated in Leviticus 18:7. Alternate translation: “Do not have sexual relations with” (See: INVALID translate/figs-euphemism)

This is a euphemism. Alternate translation: “you must not have sexual relations with her” (See: INVALID translate/figs-euphemism)

Leviticus 18:16

“if you do that, you will also dishonor your brother”

Leviticus 18:17

This is a euphemism. See how this is translated in Leviticus 18:7. Alternate translation: “Do not have sexual relations with” (See: INVALID translate/figs-euphemism)

“to have sexual relations with her”

Leviticus 18:19

“to have sexual relations with her”

This is the time every month when a woman bleeds from her womb.

Leviticus 18:20

“any man’s wife”

Leviticus 18:21

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must not do that would defile them.

The phrase “to pass through the fire” means to burn something with fire as a sacrifice. Alternate translation: “You must not burn your children alive” (See: INVALID translate/figs-idiom)

Here the word “profane” means to dishonor. The word “name” represents God himself. Alternate translation: “you must not dishonor your God” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metonymy)

Leviticus 18:22

This is a polite way of speaking of sexual relations. You may have to use other words in your translation. Alternate translation: “Do not have sexual relations with” (See: INVALID translate/figs-euphemism)

Here “detestable” refers to a violation of the natural order of things as Yahweh intended them to be.

Leviticus 18:23

This is a euphemism. Alternate translation: “to have sexual relations with it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-euphemism)

Leviticus 18:24

This refers to the people groups already living in Canaan. Translate this so the term “nations” is clarified as people. Alternate translation: “the people of the nations defiled themselves” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metonymy)

Leviticus 18:25

“The people defiled the land”

Yahweh forcibly removing the people from the land is spoken of as if the land were a person who vomited the people out. Alternate translation: “I forcibly removed the people from the land, like a person vomits up food” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor and INVALID translate/figs-personification)

Leviticus 18:26

“any of these disgusting things”

Leviticus 18:27

This refers to “these detestable things.”

Leviticus 18:28

“Therefore be careful to obey me”

Yahweh forcibly removing the people from the land is spoken of as if the land were a person who vomited the people out. See how you translated this metaphor in Leviticus 18:25. Alternate translation: “so that I do forcibly remove you from the land…as I forcibly removed the people” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor and INVALID translate/figs-personification)

Leviticus 18:29

Yahweh finishes telling Moses what the people must not do.

People being excluded from the community is spoken of as if they had been cut off from their people, as one would cut a piece of cloth or cut a branch from a tree. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the persons…may no longer live among their people” or “you must separate the persons…from their people” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor and INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 18:30

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “which the people did here before you came” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Here “them” refers to the detestable customs.

Leviticus 19

Leviticus 19 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Obeying Yahweh

Being holy meant obeying Yahweh in all matters of a person’s life. It is not limited to offering correct sacrifices. The law helped to establish righteousness in a person’s life, as well as justice in Israel. In Israel, these concepts are closely related. (See: INVALID bible/kt/holy and INVALID bible/kt/righteous and INVALID bible/kt/justice)

Leviticus 19:3

“observe my Sabbaths” or “respect my day of rest”

Leviticus 19:4

Worshiping idols is spoken of as if it were physically turning towards them. Alternate translation: “Do not begin to worship worthless idols” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 19:5

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do.

This can be translated in active form. Possible meanings are 1) Yahweh will accept the person offering the sacrifice. Alternate translation: “you must offer it properly so that I will accept you” or 2) Yahweh will accept the sacrifice from the person. Alternate translation: “you must offer it properly so that I will accept your sacrifice” (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit and INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 19:6

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “You must eat it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “you must burn it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 19:7

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “If you eat any of it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

To eat the offering after the designated time is against God and increases the guilt the offering was to cover. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “You may not accept it for eating” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 19:8

A person’s guilt is spoken of as if it were a physical object that the person carries. Here the word “guilt” represents the punishment for that guilt. Alternate translation: “everyone…is responsible for his own guilt” or “Yahweh will punish everyone…for his sin” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor and INVALID translate/figs-metonymy)

A person being excluded from his community is spoken of as if he had been cut off from his people, as one would cut a piece of cloth or cut a branch from a tree. This can be translated in active form. See how you translated this in Leviticus 7:20. Alternate translation: “that person may no longer live among his people” or “you must separate that person from his people” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor and INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 19:9

“When you gather your crops, do not gather all the way to the edges of your fields”

This refers to the practice of going back over the fields a second time to gather any produce that remained after the first time. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “and do not go back and pick up all that you left behind” (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 19:12

“Do not use my name to swear about something that is not true”

Leviticus 19:13

Here “neighbor” means “anyone.” The meaning of this can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “Do not hurt or rob anyone” (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Yahweh commands the employer to pay his servant promptly when his work is done that day. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 19:15

This double negative is used for emphasis. It can be expressed in a positive way. Alternate translation: “Always judge rightly” (See: INVALID translate/figs-litotes)

The words “poor” and “important” are two extremes, which together mean “anyone.” You can translate this to clarify the terms. Alternate translation: “You must not show favoritism to anyone based on how much money they have” (See: INVALID translate/figs-merism)

“judge everyone according to what is right”

Leviticus 19:16

untrue, hurtful messages about other people

Leviticus 19:17

Continually hating a person is spoken of as if it were hating a person in the heart. Alternate translation: “Do not continually hate your brother” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

“You must correct a person who is sinning”

Leviticus 19:19

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do.

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “clothing that someone made from two kinds of material” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 19:20

This is a euphemism. Alternate translation: “has sexual relations with” (See: INVALID translate/figs-euphemism)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “who is engaged to marry another man” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “but whom her future husband has not ransomed or given her freedom” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “you must punish them” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “You must not kill them” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 19:21

“A man must bring a ram as a guilt offering to Yahweh to the entrance of the tent of meeting”

Leviticus 19:22

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will forgive the sin which he has committed” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 19:23

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do.

Yahweh repeats the prohibition in order to emphasize it and to clarify that it is in force for the first three years that the tree bears fruit. Translate this to clarify the period of time the trees must be left alone. Alternate translation: “then you must not eat the fruit of the trees for the first three years” (See: INVALID translate/figs-parallelism)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “you must regard the fruit they produce as something that I have forbidden you to eat” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “I have forbidden the fruit to you” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “You must not eat it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 19:29

Here the words “nation” and “land” represent the people who live there. Many people practicing prostitution and other wicked deeds is spoken of as if the they have fallen into or become full of those things. Alternate translation: “the people will begin to practice prostitution and many wicked things” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metonymy and INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 19:31

Possible meanings are 1) that “the dead” and “spirits” are two different things or 2) that this is a doublet that means “the spirits of dead people.” (See: INVALID translate/figs-doublet)

“Do not seek those people out. If you do, they will defile you”

Leviticus 19:32

Standing up in front of someone is a sign of respect. (See: INVALID translate/translate-symaction)

This refers to a person whose hair has turned gray from age, or “an old person.”

Leviticus 19:35

This prohibits the practice of intentionally using instruments that give inaccurate readings when measuring things.

Leviticus 19:36

This was a measurement for grain. (See: INVALID translate/translate-bvolume)

This was a measurement for liquids. (See: INVALID translate/translate-bvolume)

Leviticus 19:37

These phrases mean the same thing and emphasize the command for obedience. (See: INVALID translate/figs-doublet)

Leviticus 20

Leviticus 20 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Punishments for serious sins

This chapter compiles a list of serious sins. The most serious sins are punished by death. (See: INVALID bible/kt/sin and INVALID bible/other/death)

Important figures of speech in this chapter

Euphemism

“To see someone’s nakedness” means to live as husband wife. (See: INVALID translate/figs-euphemism)

Metaphor

The phrase “you must carry your own guilt” is a metaphor. It is unknown what this means, but it is possible it indicates a penalty of death.

Leviticus 20:2

Those who worshiped Molech sacrificed their children to him by means of fire. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “kills any of his children as a sacrifice to Molech” (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the people in the land must stone him to death” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 20:3

This idiom means he “firmly decided.” Alternate translation: “I have made up my mind to oppose that man” (See: INVALID translate/figs-idiom)

“will stare angrily at”

“he has sacrificed his child”

“and by doing that, he has defiled my holy place and profaned my holy name”

God’s name represents God and his reputation. Alternate translation: “dishonor my reputation” or “dishonor me” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metonymy and INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 20:4

The phrase “to close their eyes” implies they “cannot see.” This speaks of ignoring something as not seeing. Alternate translation: “disregard” or “ignore” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metonymy)

Leviticus 20:5

This phrase compares those who are unfaithful to Yahweh to prostitutes. Alternate translation: “who is unfaithful to Yahweh” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 20:6

This phrase compares the unfaithful people to prostitutes. Alternate translation: “by doing that, they seek advice from the spirits rather than from me” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

This idiom means he “firmly decided.” Alternate translation: “I have made up my mind that I will oppose that person” (See: INVALID translate/figs-idiom)

“will stare angrily at”

Leviticus 20:8

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do.

The words “keep” and “carry out” mean basically the same thing. They are used together in order to emphasize that the people must obey God. (See: INVALID translate/figs-parallelism)

Leviticus 20:9

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “you must surely put to death” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 20:10

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “you must certainly put both of them to death” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 20:11

This is a polite way of saying that he had sex with his father’s wife. Some languages use more direct phrases such as “has sex with his father’s wife.” (See: INVALID translate/figs-euphemism)

Leviticus 20:12

Here God calls a man having sex with his son’s wife a “perversion”, a serious sin. See how you translated “perversion” in Leviticus 18:23.

Leviticus 20:13

This is a euphemism. Alternate translation: “had sexual relations with” (See: INVALID translate/figs-euphemism)

The way he treats the man is the same way he would treat a woman. Alternate translation: “just like he would with a woman” (See: INVALID translate/figs-simile)

“something detestable” or “something detestable”

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “You must surely put them to death” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 20:14

This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “You must burn to death both the man and the women” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 20:15

This is a euphemism. Alternate translation: “has sexual relations with” (See: INVALID translate/figs-euphemism)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “you must surely put him to death” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 20:16

This is a polite way of speaking of sexual relations. You may have to use other words in your translation. Alternate translation: “has sexual relations with it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-euphemism)

Both clauses mean the same thing. They emphasize that the woman and animal must die. (See: INVALID translate/figs-parallelism)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “You must certainly put them to death” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 20:17

Possible meanings are 1) this is a euphemism. Alternate translation: “has sexual relations with” or 2) it simply means “to marry.” (See: INVALID translate/figs-euphemism)

This means a man cannot have sexual intercourse with his sister, even if she has a different mother or father. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “whether it is his full sister or half-sister” (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

“they have sexual relations”

This is a euphemism. Alternate translation: “has had sexual relations with” (See: INVALID translate/figs-euphemism)

This phrase means the man is responsibile for his sin. Alternate translation: “He is responsible for his sin” or “You must punish him” (See: INVALID translate/figs-idiom)

Leviticus 20:18

A person being excluded from his community is spoken of as if he had been cut off from his people, as one would cut a piece of cloth or cut a branch from a tree. This can be translated in active form. See how you translated this idea in Leviticus 7:20. Alternate translation: “that person may no longer live among his people” or “you must separate that person from his people” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor and INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

the time every month when a woman bleeds from her womb

This phrase compares having sex with a woman during her menstrual period to removing the cover off of something that should remain hidden. The fact that this was a shameful thing to do can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “he has done a shameful thing by uncovering the flow of her blood” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor and INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

This is a euphemism. Alternate translation: “a man has sexual relations with a woman” (See: INVALID translate/figs-euphemism)

It can be stated clearly why this must be done. Alternate translation: “Because they have done this shameful thing, both the man and woman must be cut off” (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 20:19

This is a polite way of speaking of sexual relations. You may have to use other words in your translation. Alternate translation: “You must not have sexual relations with your mother’s sister” (See: INVALID translate/figs-euphemism)

The idiom “carry your own guilt” means “you are responsible for your own sin.” Alternate translation: “You are responsible for your sin” or “I will punish you” (See: INVALID translate/figs-idiom)

Leviticus 20:20

This is a polite way of speaking of sexual relations. You may have to use other words in your translation. Alternate translation: “man has sexual relations with his aunt” (See: INVALID translate/figs-euphemism)

Leviticus 20:21

This is a euphemism. Alternate translation: “If a man marries his brother’s wife” (See: INVALID translate/figs-euphemism)

Many versions of the Bible translate this as “they will die childless.”

Leviticus 20:22

This phrase describes the land as a vomiting person who needs to reject bad food. Instead of rejecting bad food, the land rejects the people and removes them. See how you translated this metaphor in Leviticus 18:25. Alternate translation: “the land to which I am bringing you will not reject you” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor and INVALID translate/figs-personification)

Leviticus 20:23

Doing the actions of idol worshipers is spoken of as walking in their ways. Alternate translation: “you must not follow” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

“remove”

Leviticus 20:24

The phrase “flowing with milk and honey” means “that is rich and productive with enough food for everyone.” Alternate translation: “a land that is excellent for cattle and farming” or “a productive land” (See: INVALID translate/figs-idiom)

Leviticus 20:26

“I have distinguished you” or “I have set you apart”

Leviticus 20:27

“attempts to communicate with”

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “they must certainly put to death” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 21

Leviticus 21 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Priests must be holy

Priests must be separate from the rest of the world. Priests should not do anything that would be unclean. They also cannot be unclean because of a birth defect, and they must not marry an unclean woman. (See: INVALID bible/kt/priest and INVALID bible/kt/holy and INVALID bible/kt/clean)

Leviticus 21:1

A person who is not acceptable for God’s purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

“among the Israelites”

Leviticus 21:3

This can also be translated as “young woman”

Leviticus 21:5

It is impossible to be certain what the writer intended here. Possible meanings are 1) shave off certain parts of their beards or 2) cut or shave any part of their beards.

Leviticus 21:6

“They must be set apart”

This word “name” is used to represent Yahweh’s character. Alternate translation: “not disgrace God’s reputation” or “not disgrace their God” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metonymy)

Here “bread” represents food in general. Yahweh does not actually eat these offerings. It is the sincerity of those offering the food that pleases God. (See: INVALID translate/figs-synecdoche)

Leviticus 21:7

“The priests must not”

“for they are set apart”

Leviticus 21:8

“You people must treat the priest as holy”

Here “bread” represents food in general. Yahweh does not actually eat these offerings. Translate this in a way that makes it clear that Yahweh does not actually eat the food. (See: INVALID translate/figs-synecdoche)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “You must regard him as holy” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 21:9

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “You must burn her to death” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 21:10

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the priests must do.

This is a reference to the anointing oil used in the ceremony consecrating a new the high priest. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “on whose head they poured anointing oil and consecrated him” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Loose hair and torn clothes were signs of mourning. The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 21:12

This does not mean the high priest could never leave. God did not allow him to leave in order to grieve over someone who died. (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 21:14

“from among his own tribe, the tribe of Levi”

Leviticus 21:15

By marrying an unholy or ungodly woman, the priest would have children unworthy to be priest. Alternate translation: “that he will not have unworthy children by marrying an ungodly woman” (See: INVALID translate/figs-idiom)

Leviticus 21:17

The full meaning of this statement can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “he must not come to burn the burnt offering of food on God’s altar” (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 21:18

A priest had to meet specific physical standards in order to approach Yahweh. This does not imply that physical defects were the result of immorality or that all people with physical defects are unable to approach Yahweh.

“one whose body or face is deformed”

Leviticus 21:21

Here “bread” represents food in general. Alternate translation: “to make burnt offering of food on God’s altar” (See: INVALID translate/figs-synecdoche)

Leviticus 21:22

Here “he” refers to the priest with the bodily defect.

“eat the food offering of his God.” Parts of the sacrifices belonged to the priests and could be eaten.

This also refers to the food that was sacrificed. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. Alternate translation: “some of the sacrifices offered in the most holy place or some of the sacrifices offered in the holy place” (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 21:24

“to Aaron’s sons”

Leviticus 22

Leviticus 22 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Holy things

Priests who are unclean must not touch any holy thing. The things in the temple and involved in sacrifices must remain clean. An unclean priest would cause anything he touched to become unclean. (See: INVALID bible/kt/priest and INVALID bible/kt/clean and INVALID bible/kt/holy)

Leviticus 22:2

“tell them when they should keep away from the holy things.” Yahweh is about to describe situations where a priest is unclean and not allowed to touch holy things.

The word “profane” here means to dishonor. The word “name” represents Yahweh’s character. Alternate translation: “dishonor my reputation” or “dishonor me” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metonymy)

Leviticus 22:3

“from now on”

A person who is not acceptable for God’s purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

A priest no longer being able to serve Yahweh is spoken of as if that person had been cut off from Yahweh’s presence, as one would cut a piece of cloth or cut a branch from a tree. This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “that person will no longer be able to serve as a priest” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor and INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 22:4

a disease on the skin easily spread from one person to another

“a bodily discharge”

This is a polite way of referring to a man’s private parts. See how you translated a similar phrase in Leviticus 15:1. Alternate translation: “from his private parts” (See: INVALID translate/figs-euphemism)

A person who is acceptable for God’s purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically clean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Something that Yahweh has said is unfit to touch or eat is spoken of as if it were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

“by touching a dead body”

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the sacrifices that someone has offered to Yahweh” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 22:5

This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “or whoever is unclean from touching a creeping animal or from touching another unclean person” (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 22:6

A person who is not acceptable for God’s purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically unclean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

“until sunset”

Leviticus 22:7

“the priest will then be considered clean.” A person who is acceptable for God’s purposes is spoken of as if the person were physically clean. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 22:8

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “that someone found dead or that a wild animal has killed” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 22:10

Yahweh continues telling Moses what Aaron and his sons must do.

Leviticus 22:12

The word “contribution” can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “the holy offerings which people have contributed” (See: INVALID translate/figs-abstractnouns)

Leviticus 22:14

Possible meanings are 1) that the person had to replace the food that he had eaten with the same kind of food or 2) that the person had to pay money to the priest for the food that he had eaten.

This is one part out of five equal parts. (See: INVALID translate/translate-fraction)

Leviticus 22:15

The phrase “raised high” refers to a symbolic gesture of respect that represents offering something to Yahweh. It means basically the same thing as “presented.” Alternate translation: “that they have offered” (See: INVALID translate/translate-symaction and INVALID translate/figs-doublet)

Leviticus 22:16

Sin is spoken of as if it were an object that people can carry. Possible meanings are 1) they would be responsible for the sin and so become guilty. Alternate translation: “they would be guilty for the sin that they committed” or 2) the word “sin” is a metonym for punishment for the sin that they committed. Alternate translation: “they would receive the punishment because they are guilty” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor and INVALID translate/figs-metonymy)

Leviticus 22:18

“a foreigner”

Leviticus 22:19

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “if Yahweh is to accept it” or “if I, Yahweh, am to accept it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 22:21

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “for me to accept it” or “for Yahweh to accept it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 22:22

These words refer to defects caused by accidents.

These refer to types of skin diseases.

Leviticus 22:23

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “I will not accept” or “Yahweh will not accept” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

These words refer to defects the animal has from birth.

Leviticus 22:25

Here “bread” represents food in general. God did not actually eat the sacrifices. Priests would offer the sacrifice on God’s altar, and they would eat some of the meat. Alternate translation: “must not present an animal as a food offering to your God” (See: INVALID translate/figs-synecdoche)

The word “hand” represents the whole person. It is implied that Israelites could not use animals as a sacrifice to God if they bought it from a foreigner, because foreigners castrated their animals making them unacceptable to God. Alternate translation: “that a foreigner has given you, because they castrate their animals” (See: INVALID translate/figs-synecdoche and INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will not accept them from you” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 22:27

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “you may accept it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “for a burnt offering” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 22:30

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “You must eat it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “that you sacrificed it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 22:31

The words “keep” and “carry out” mean the same thing. They emphasize that the people must obey God’s commands. Alternate translation: “obey my commandments” (See: INVALID translate/figs-doublet)

Leviticus 22:32

Here the word “name” represents Yahweh himself and his reputation and “profane” means to remove the honor that belongs to God as Creator and Lord of the universe. Alternate translation: “You must not dishonor me, for I am holy” or “You must not dishonor my holy reputation” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metonymy)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “The people of Israel must acknowledge me as holy” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 23

Leviticus 23 General Notes

Structure and formatting

The feasts

The people should celebrate the Sabbath, the Passover, the Feast of First Fruits, the Feast of Weeks, the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Booths. These feasts were important for the religious life of Israel. They were a part of proper worship of Yahweh and the identity of Israel. (See: INVALID bible/kt/sabbath, INVALID bible/kt/passover and INVALID bible/other/firstfruit and INVALID bible/kt/atonement)

Leviticus 23:2

These were festivals that the Lord had appointed times for. The people were to worship him at these festivals. Alternate translation: “the festivals for Yahweh” or “Yahweh’s festivals”

Leviticus 23:3

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do on special days and times.

This is something the people must do habitually. After every six days in which they can work, they must rest on the seventh day.

The requirement that people assemble to worship God on that day is spoken of as if that day were the assembly. Alternate translation: “a holy day, when you must assemble together to worship me” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metonymy)

Leviticus 23:4

“at their proper times”

Leviticus 23:5

The first month of the Hebrew calendar marks when Yahweh brought the Israelites out of Egypt. The fourteenth day is around the beginning of April on the Western calendar. (See: INVALID translate/translate-hebrewmonths and INVALID translate/translate-ordinal)

“at sunset”

Leviticus 23:6

The “same month” is the first month of the Hebrew calendar (verse 5). It was in the first month that Yahweh brought the Israelites out of Egypt. The fifteenth day are around the beginning of April on the Western calendar. (See: INVALID translate/translate-hebrewmonths and INVALID translate/translate-ordinal)

Leviticus 23:7

“You must set apart the first day to gather together” or “You must treat the first day as different and gather together”

Leviticus 23:8

They would present it to Yahweh by burning it on the altar.

The requirement that people assemble on that day is spoken of as if that day were the assembly. Being set apart to Yahweh means that when they assemble, they must worship Yahweh. Alternate translation: “The seventh day is a day when you must assemble together to worship Yahweh” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metonymy)

Leviticus 23:11

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “for Yahweh to accept it” or “and I will accept it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 23:12

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do.

Leviticus 23:13

An ephah is 22 liters. Alternate translation: “four and a half liters” (See: INVALID translate/translate-bvolume)

A hin is 3.7 liters. Alternate translation: “one liter” (See: INVALID translate/translate-bvolume)

Leviticus 23:14

“nor cooked or uncooked grain”

This means that they and their descendants must obey this command forever. See how you translated this in Leviticus 3:17.

Leviticus 23:15

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do.

Leviticus 23:16

“50 days” (See: INVALID translate/translate-numbers)

This is the ordinal for number seven. See: INVALID translate/translate-ordinal

Leviticus 23:17

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do.

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “that you have made from two-tenths of an ephah of flour and then baked with yeast” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This is approximately 4.5 liters. Alternate translation: “four and a half liters” (See: INVALID translate/translate-bvolume)

Leviticus 23:18

The Lord’s pleasure with the aroma represents his pleasure with the person who burns the offering. Alternate translation: “Yahweh will be pleased with you” or “that pleases the Yahweh” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 23:19

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do.

Leviticus 23:22

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do.

“When you gather your crops, do not gather them all the way to the edges of your fields”

Leviticus 23:24

This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. The first day is near the middle of September on Western calendars. (See: INVALID translate/translate-hebrewmonths and INVALID translate/translate-ordinal)

a period of time that was only for worship and not for work

Leviticus 23:25

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “you must offer a sacrifice that you make by fire to Yahweh” or “you must burn an offering on the altar to Yahweh” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 23:27

This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. The tenth day is near the end of September on Western calendars. (See: INVALID translate/translate-hebrewmonths and INVALID translate/translate-ordinal)

On this day each year the high priest made a sacrifice to Yahweh so that Yahweh would forgive all the sins of the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “the Day of Sacrifice for Forgiveness” (See: INVALID translate/translate-unknown)

Leviticus 23:28

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do every year.

Leviticus 23:29

Being excluded is spoken of as being cut off. See how you translated this idea in Leviticus 7:20. Alternate translation: “must be excluded from his people” or “you must separate that person from his people” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor and INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 23:30

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do every year.

“on the Day of Atonement”

Leviticus 23:31

This means that they and their descendants must obey this command forever. See how you translated a similar phrase in Leviticus 3:17.

Leviticus 23:32

This is not the same as the Sabbath they observed every week on the seventh day. This was a special Sabbath on the Day of Atonement.

In this case humbling themselves implies that they would not eat any food. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “you must humble yourselves and eat nothing” (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

This refers to the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. The ninth day is near the end of September on Western calendars. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “the ninth day of the seventh month” (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

“From sunset to sunset on the next day”

Leviticus 23:34

This is near the beginning of October on Western calendars. (See: INVALID translate/translate-hebrewmonths and INVALID translate/translate-ordinal)

This is a celebration during which the people of Israel lived in temporary shelters for seven days as a way to remember the time they spent living in the wilderness after they left Egypt. (See: INVALID translate/translate-unknown)

Leviticus 23:35

Yahweh is giving instructions for the Festival of Shelters.

Leviticus 23:37

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do every year.

This refers to the festivals mentioned in 23:1-36.

Leviticus 23:39

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do every year.

This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. The fifteenth day is near the beginning of October on Western calendars. (See: INVALID translate/translate-hebrewmonths and INVALID translate/translate-ordinal)

The word “fruits” here represents various kinds of crops. Alternate translation: “after you have gathered the crops” (See: INVALID translate/figs-synecdoche)

Leviticus 23:40

Yahweh continues his instructions for the Festival of Shelters.

Possible uses for these branches are 1) to make temporary shelters or 2) to wave them as part of their joyous celebration. Some translations state their use clearly; other translations leave it implicit. (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

trees with long, narrow leaves, which grow near water (See: INVALID translate/translate-unknown)

Leviticus 23:42

Yahweh continues his instructions for the Festival of Shelters.

Leviticus 23:43

“Generation after generation” here is an idiom that refers to each generation that lives after another. Alternate translation: “your descendants belonging to all future generations may learn” or “all your descendants may learn forever” (See: INVALID translate/figs-idiom)

Leviticus 24

Leviticus 24 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Cursing God

The punishment for someone who curses God is to have stones thrown at him until he is dead. This was acceptable in ancient Israel, but it is no longer considered acceptable. (See: INVALID bible/kt/curse)

Leviticus 24:1

God gives Moses instructions about the things in the tent of meeting.

Leviticus 24:2

“pure olive oil”

This refers to the lamp or lamps in Yahweh’s sacred tent. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “the lamp in the tent of meeting” (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 24:3

God continues giving Moses instructions about the things in the tent of meeting.

The phrase “covenant decrees” represents either the tablets that the decrees were written on or the box that the tablets were put in. These were kept in the very holy place, which was the room behind the curtain in the tent of meeting. Alternate translation: “Outside the curtain that is in front of the tablets of the covenant decrees” or “Outside the curtain that is in front of the box of the covenant” (See: INVALID translate/figs-synecdoche)

This was a thick fabric hung as a wall. It was not like a light window curtain.

“from sunset to sunrise” or “all night”

This means that they and their descendants must obey this command forever. See how you translated a similar phrase in Leviticus 3:17.

Leviticus 24:5

God continues giving Moses instructions about the things in the tent of meeting.

This is about 4.5 liters. Alternate translation: “four and a half liters” (See: INVALID translate/translate-bvolume)

Leviticus 24:6

This table is in the holy place, which is before the most holy place.

Leviticus 24:7

God continues giving Moses instructions about the things in the tent of meeting.

The incense was probably next to the loaves, rather than directly on the loaves. Alternate translation: “You must put pure incense next to the loaves in each row” (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

What the incense would represent can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “to represent the loaves as an offering” or “to be an offering that represents the loaves” (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “You will burn the incense for Yahweh” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 24:9

“This bread that is offered”

“for they took it from the offerings”

“the burnt offerings to Yahweh” or “the offerings that you burn to Yahweh”

Leviticus 24:10

This phrase marks a new section of the book.

Leviticus 24:11

Both of these phrases mean basically the same thing. Alternate translation: “blasphemed Yahweh by cursing him” or “said terrible things about Yahweh” (See: INVALID translate/figs-parallelism)

This is the name of a woman. (See: INVALID translate/translate-names)

This is the name of a man. (See: INVALID translate/translate-names)

Leviticus 24:14

They were to put their hands on his head to show that he was the guilty one. (See: INVALID translate/translate-symaction)

Leviticus 24:15

God continues telling Moses what they must do to the man who cursed God.

Suffering for sin is spoken of if a person were to carry his guilt. Alternate translation: “must suffer for his sin” or “must be punished (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 24:16

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the people must surely put him to death” or “the people must surely kill him” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 24:17

God continues telling Moses what the people must do when someone does something bad.

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “You must certainly put to death anyone who kills another person” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 24:18

How he would pay it back can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “must pay it back by giving him a live animal” (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

This is an idiom that means that one life would replace the other. Alternate translation: “one life to replace the other life” or “to replace the one that he killed” (See: INVALID translate/figs-idiom)

Leviticus 24:19

God continues telling Moses what the people must do when someone does something bad.

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “you must do to him” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 24:20

These phrases emphasize that a person should receive the same harm he did to someone else.

This refers to broken bones. Alternate translation: “broken bone for broken bone” or “If he breaks someone’s bone, one of his bones must be broken” or “If he breaks someone’s bone, they will break one of his bones” (See: INVALID translate/figs-idiom)

This refers to eyes being seriously injured or gouged out. Alternate translation: “If he destroys someone’s eye, one of his bones must be destroyed” or “If he destroys someone’s eye, they will destroy his eye” (See: INVALID translate/figs-idiom)

This refers to teeth being knocked out of the mouth. Alternate translation: “If he knocks out someone’s tooth, one of his teeth must be knocked out” or “If he knocks out someone’s tooth, they will knock out one of his teeth” (See: INVALID translate/figs-idiom)

Leviticus 24:21

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “they must put to death anyone who kills a person” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 24:23

“obeyed the command”

Leviticus 25

Leviticus 25 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Over-farming

There is a provision made in this chapter to prevent over-farming of the land. If a land is farmed every year with the same crops, it will quickly become unable to grow anything.

Sabbath and Jubilee Years

Every seventh year, the land should not be planted. Every fiftieth year Israelite slaves must be freed and all land that has been bought returned to its original owners. This prevented people from getting trapped by their poverty.

Leviticus 25:2

The land is spoken of as if it were a person that could obey the Sabbath by resting. Just as the people had to rest every seventh day, people were to honor God by not farming the land every seventh year. Alternate translation: “you must obey the Sabbath law by letting the land rest every seventh year for Yahweh” or “you must obey Yahweh’s Sabbath by not farming the land every seventh year” (See: INVALID translate/figs-personification and INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 25:3

To prune a vineyard is to cut the branches and vines to help the fruit grow better.

Leviticus 25:4

Not farming the land is spoken of as letting the land rest. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “you must observe a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land” or “you must obey the Sabbath law by not farming the land every seventh year” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive and INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 25:5

Yahweh will not allow the owner of a field to organize his workers and harvest the land as he does the other six years. However, Yahweh will allow individuals to go through the fields to pick and eat the fruit they find.

This means that no one has taken care of the vines and cut them as they do during the other six years. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “your vines that you do not prune” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 25:6

“whatever grows on the unworked land”

This means that no one has taken care of the gardens or farms as they do during the other six years. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “your gardens that you do not tend” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 25:7

“whatever grows on the land”

Leviticus 25:8

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do.

“they will be seven sets of seven years”

“49 years” (See: INVALID translate/translate-numbers)

Leviticus 25:9

On this day each year the high priest would make a sacrifice to Yahweh so that Yahweh would forgive all the sins of the people of Israel. See how you translated this in Leviticus 23:27.

Leviticus 25:10

This is an ordinal number. Alternate translation: “year 50” (See: INVALID translate/translate-numbers)

The Jubilee was a year when the Jews had to return land to its’ original owners and set slaves free. Alternate translation: “a year of restoration for you” or “a year for you to return land and free slaves”

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “you must return property and slaves” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 25:11

“a year of restoration” or “a year for you to return the land.” It can be stated clearly who they were returning the land to. Alternate translation: “a year for you to return the land to me” (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 25:12

Yahweh did not allow the land owner to organize his workers and harvest the land as he did the other six years. However, he did allow individuals to go through the fields and eat what they find.

Leviticus 25:13

“this year of restoration” or “this year to return land and free slaves”

Leviticus 25:15

God continues telling Moses what the people must do.

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “that you can harvest” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

“the next year of restoration” or “the next year to return land”

Leviticus 25:18

All of these phrases mean basically the same thing. They emphasize that the people must obey everything Yahweh says. (See: INVALID translate/figs-parallelism)

Leviticus 25:19

This means that they would eat enough until their stomach was full. Alternate translation: “you will eat till you are full” or “you will eat plenty” (See: INVALID translate/figs-idiom)

Leviticus 25:20

Here “You” refers to the people of Israel. (See: INVALID translate/figs-you)

Leviticus 25:21

God speaks of his blessing as if it were a person that could obey him. Alternate translation: “I will send my blessing on you” or “I will bless you” (See: INVALID translate/figs-personification)

Leviticus 25:22

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “from the food you store” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 25:23

Yahweh continues speaking.

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “You must not sell your land permanently to another person” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 25:24

The noun “redemption” can be expressed with the verbs “redeem” or “buy back.” Alternate translation: “You must remember that the original owner has the right to redeem the land whenever he wants” (See: INVALID translate/figs-abstractnouns)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “you must allow the family from whom you bought the land to buy it back” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 25:27

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “he sold the land” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “repay to the purchaser who bought it the money the purchaser would have made” (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 25:28

“the year of restoration” or “the year to return land.” See how you translated it in Leviticus 25:10.

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the one who had bought it will return the land” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

“will go back to his land”

Leviticus 25:29

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “after he sold it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

The noun “redemption” can be expressed with the verbs “redeem” or “buy back.” Alternate translation: “the right to redeem it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-abstractnouns)

Leviticus 25:30

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “If he or his family does not redeem the house” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “The man who bought that house will not have to return it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

“the year of restoration” or “the year to return land and free slaves”

Leviticus 25:31

Some villages did not have a wall around them.

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “You may buy back those houses, and those who bought them must return them” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

“the year of restoration” or “the year to return land and free slaves”

Leviticus 25:32

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the houses that the Levites own in their cities” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the Levites may redeem them at any time” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 25:33

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the one who bought the house in the city where it is located must return it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

“the year of restoration” or “the year to return land and free slaves”

The land of Canaan was divided up among the people of Israel, but of that land, the Levites were only given 48 cities with the fields around them. Alternate translation: “their part of the land that the Israelites possessed” or “their property in the land of Israel”

Leviticus 25:34

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “But the Levites must not sell the fields around their cities” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 25:35

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do.

Leviticus 25:36

“Do not make him pay you back more than what you lend him”

Leviticus 25:39

The owner was to treat the Israelite with more respect than he would treat a slave.

Leviticus 25:40

The owner was to treat the Israelite with more respect than he would treat a slave.

“the year of restoration” or “the year to return land and free slaves”

Leviticus 25:42

God continues telling Moses what he must tell the people.

“your fellow countrymen are my servants”

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “You must not sell them as slaves” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 25:44

“you may buy slaves from those nations”

Leviticus 25:48

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “after the foreigner buys your fellow Israelite, someone in the Israelite’s family may buy him back” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 25:50

An Israelite could be a slave only until the year of Jubilee. These instructions are for when an Israelite wanted to buy back his freedom before the year of Jubilee.

“the year of restoration” or “the year to return land and to free slaves”

The verb “figured” can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “They must figure the price of his redemption” or “They must figure how much to pay for the foreigner to set the Israelite free” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

If the Israelite bought back his freedom, the foreigner would have to hire a servant to do the work that the Israelite would have done but will not. The verbs “paid” and “hired” can be expressed in active form. Alternate translation: “according to the rate a person would pay to hire a servant” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

“for the number of years until the jubilee that the Israelite would have continued to work but will not”

Leviticus 25:51

“the Israelite slave must pay back”

Leviticus 25:53

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “The foreigner who bought him as a slave must treat him” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “no one treats him badly” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 25:54

This can be stated in active form, and who he is to be redeemed from can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “If no one redeems him by these means from the one who bought him as a slave” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive and INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

“in this way”

The Israelite slave and his children would serve the foreigner until the year of Jubilee, and then the foreigner would have to set the Israelite and his children free.

Leviticus 25:55

“For it is to me that the people of Israel are servants.” This is the reason that God wanted the Israelites to be set free in the year of jubilee. They were his servants. They were not permitted to be anyone else’s permanent slave.

Leviticus 26

Leviticus 26 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Worship only Yahweh

If people obey God and worship only him, he will bless and protect them. If people disobey his law and if they worship other gods, then he will severely punish them to help them to repent and begin obeying him. This takes the form of a promise. (See: INVALID bible/kt/lawofmoses and INVALID bible/kt/repent and INVALID bible/kt/promise)

Leviticus 26:1

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do.

Leviticus 26:2

“obey the rules for my Sabbaths”

Leviticus 26:3

These are three ways of saying the same thing. They emphasize that the people must obey everything that God commands them to do. Alternate translation: “If you carefully obey my laws and commands” (See: INVALID translate/figs-parallelism)

Behaving according to the laws is spoken of as if they were to walk in the laws. Alternate translation: “If you behave according to my laws” or “if you live according to my laws” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 26:5

Here bread represents food. “To the full” means until their stomachs were full of food. Alternate translation: “will eat food until you are full” or “will have plenty of food to eat” (See: INVALID translate/figs-synecdoche and INVALID translate/figs-idiom)

Leviticus 26:6

“I will cause there to be peace in the land”

Here the word “sword” represents enemy armies or enemy attacks. Alternate translation: “no armies will attack you” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metonymy)

Leviticus 26:7

Here “falling” represents dying, and “the sword” represents either attacking people with a sword or battle in general. Alternate translation: “they will die when you attack them with the sword” or “you will kill them in battle” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 26:8

This means the Israelites will have victory against larger armies.

“5…100…10,000” (See: INVALID translate/translate-numbers)

Leviticus 26:9

“I will show you favor” or “I will bless you”

These two phrases refer to God causing them to have many descendants so they become a large group. (See: INVALID translate/figs-doublet)

God speaks of them having many children as if they were trees that bear a lot of fruit. Alternate translation: “cause you to have many children” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 26:10

“You will have enough food stored to eat for a long time” or “you will have enough food to store and eat it for a long time”

Leviticus 26:11

“I will put my dwelling place among you”

“I will accept you”

Leviticus 26:12

Walking among them represents living with them. Alternate translation: “I will live with you” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 26:13

God speaks of their slavery as if they had to wear a yoke that animals wear in order to do hard work. Breaking the bars of the yoke represents setting them free. Alternate translation: “I have set you free from the hard labor they made you do” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 26:14

Yahweh is telling Moses what will happen if the people do not obey his commands.

Leviticus 26:16

The phrase “these things” refers to the things listed in Leviticus 26:14-15.

Here “terror” represents the things that will cause them to be terrified. Alternate translation: “I will send disasters that will terrify you” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

“will slowly take away your life” or “will slowly make you die.” It is the diseases and the fever that will do this.

The phrase “for nothing” means that they would get nothing from their work. Alternate translation: “You will plant your seeds in vain” or “You will plant your seeds, but you will not get anything from them” (See: INVALID translate/figs-idiom)

Leviticus 26:17

This idiom means he “firmly decided.” Alternate translation: “I have made up my mind to oppose you” (See: INVALID translate/figs-idiom)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “your enemies will defeat you” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 26:18

Here “seven times” is not literal. It means Yahweh will increase the severity of his punishment. (See: INVALID translate/figs-idiom)

Leviticus 26:19

Using force to cause them not to be proud is spoken of as if he were to break their pride. Alternate translation: “I will punish you and so end the pride that you feel about your power” or “I will punish you so that you will no longer be proud of your power” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

This means God will stop the rain from falling from the sky. This will make the ground hard so that people cannot plant seed or grow crops. (See: INVALID translate/figs-simile)

Leviticus 26:20

Working very hard is spoken of as if they were to use all their strength until they had no more strength. The phrase “for nothing” means that they would get nothing from working so hard. Alternate translation: “You will work very hard in vain” or “You will work very hard, but you will not receive anything good from working so hard” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor and INVALID translate/figs-idiom)

Leviticus 26:21

Walking represents behavior. Walking against God represents opposing him or rebelling against him. Alternate translation: “rebel against me” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

The abstract noun “blows” can be stated as the verb “hit.” Alternate translation: “I will hit you seven times as much” (See: INVALID translate/figs-abstractnouns)

Yahweh causing disasters to happen to the Israelites is spoken of as if he would strike them with blows or hit them. Alternate translation: “I will cause seven times as many disasters to come against you” or “I will punish you seven times more severely” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Here “seven times” is not literal. It means Yahweh will increase the severity of his punishment. (See: INVALID translate/figs-idiom)

The noun “sins” can be expressed with the verb “sin.” Alternate translation: “according to how much you have sinned” (See: INVALID translate/figs-abstractnouns)

Leviticus 26:22

Stealing represents attacking or attacking and dragging them away. Alternate translation: “which will attack your children” or “which will drag your children away” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

“So no one will travel on your roads.” Deserted means that there is no one there.

Leviticus 26:23

“If when I punish you like this” or “If I discipline you like this and”

Accepting his correction represents responding rightly to it. In this case responding rightly to it is choosing to obey him. Alternate translation: “you still do not listen to my correction” or “you still do not obey me” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Walking represents behavior. Walking in opposition to him means opposing him or fighting against him. Alternate translation: “oppose me” or “fight against me” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 26:24

Walking represents behavior. Walking in opposition to them means opposing them or fighting against them. Alternate translation: “I also will oppose you” or “I also will fight against you” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

The number 7 represents completeness. Alternate translation: “I will personally punish you many times” or “I myself will punish you most severely”

The noun “sins” can be expressed with the verb “sin.” Alternate translation: “because you continue to sin against me” (See: INVALID translate/figs-abstractnouns)

Leviticus 26:25

Here the word “sword” represents an army or an attack from an army. Alternate translation: “I will bring an enemy army against you” or “I will cause an enemy army to attack you” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metonymy)

“that will punish you”

“for disobeying the covenant” or “because you disobey the covenant”

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “You will gather together” or “You will hide” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Here “into the hand” means “into the control” and refers to defeat by their enemy. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “I will deliver you into the hand of your enemy” or “I will allow your enemy to control you” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metonymy and INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 26:26

Destroying the food that people have stored or stopping people from being able to get it is spoken of as cutting off the supply of food. Alternate translation: “When I destroy the food you have stored” or “When I stop you from being able to get food” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

This implies that there will be so little flour that one small oven will be able to hold all the bread that many women can put into it.

This means there will be so little food that they will have to measure how much each person gets.

Leviticus 26:27

Listening represents obeying what he has said. Alternate translation: “If you do not obey me” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metonymy)

Walking represents behavior. Walking against someone represents opposing him or fighting against him. Alternate translation: “to oppose me” or “to fight against me” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 26:28

Walking represents behavior. Walking against someone represents opposing him or fighting against him. Alternate translation: “I will oppose you” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Here “seven more times” is not literal. It means Yahweh will increase the severity of his punishment. (See: INVALID translate/figs-idiom)

Leviticus 26:30

Because God would send an army to do these things, he speaks as if he would do them. Alternate translation: “I will send an enemy army to destroy…cut down…throw your corpses” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metonymy)

“your dead bodies”

God speaks of idols not being alive as if they had been alive and then died. Alternate translation: “your lifeless idols” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 26:31

Because God would send armies to do these things, he speaks as if he would do them. Alternate translation: “I will send enemy armies to turn your cities into ruins and destroy your sanctuaries” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metonymy)

These were places where people worshiped idols instead of God.

Normally the Lord’s pleasure with the aroma represents his pleasure with those who burn the offering. But in this case, people would burn offerings, but God would not be pleased with them. Alternate translation: “You will burn offerings, but I will not be pleased with you” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 26:33

This represents sending armies to attack them. Alternate translation: “I will send enemy armies to attack you” or “I will send enemy armies to attack you with their swords” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metonymy)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “You will abandon your land, and your enemies will destroy your cities” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 26:34

The people were supposed to obey the Sabbath law by not farming the land every seventh year. God speaks about this as if the land were a person that would obey the Sabbath law and rest. Alternate translation: “Then the land will rest according to the Sabbath law” or “Then, as required by the Sabbath law, the land will not be farmed” (See: INVALID translate/figs-personification)

Leviticus 26:35

God speaks about the land not being farmed as if it were a person that would rest. Alternate translation: “it will not be farmed” (See: INVALID translate/figs-personification)

Leviticus 26:36

Sending fear into their hearts represents making them afraid. Alternate translation: “I will make you terribly afraid” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

The sword represents either someone who is ready to kill using a sword or an attack from an enemy army. Alternate translation: “as though you were fleeing from someone who was chasing you with a sword” or “as though you were fleeing from an enemy army” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metonymy)

Leviticus 26:37

Yahweh continues describing what will happen to the Israelites when they are forced to go to their enemies’ countries.

The sword represents either someone who is ready to kill using a sword or an attack from an enemy army. Alternate translation: “as though you were running away from someone who was chasing you with a sword” or “as though you were running away from an enemy army” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metonymy)

Standing before the enemies represents not falling when the enemies attack and fighting against them. Alternate translation: “to resist your enemies when they attack you” or “to fight back against your enemies” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metonymy)

Leviticus 26:38

Yahweh speaks about the enemies’ land as if it were a wild animal that would eat the Israelites. The word “devour” emphasizes that most of the Israelites will die there. Alternate translation: “you will die in your enemies’ land” (See: INVALID translate/figs-personification)

Leviticus 26:39

“Those of you who do not die”

Wasting away in their sins represents wasting away because of their sins.

Here “their fathers” represents their ancestors. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metonymy)

Leviticus 26:40

The word “fathers” represents their ancestors. (See: INVALID translate/figs-metonymy)

“the way that they were unfaithful to me and tuned against me after I had been so good to them”

Leviticus 26:41

This represents opposing them. Alternate translation: “to oppose them” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Here the term “uncircumcised hearts” refers to the whole person. Alternate translation: “if they will be humble instead of stubbornly disobedient” (See: INVALID translate/figs-synecdoche)

Leviticus 26:42

“Call to mind” here is an idiom meaning “intentionally remember.” Here it represents fulfilling his covenant. Alternate translation: “then I will fulfill the covenant I made with Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham” (See: INVALID translate/figs-idiom and INVALID translate/figs-metonymy)

“Call to mind” here is an idiom meaning “intentionally remember.” Here it represents fulfilling his promise concerning the land. Alternate translation: “I will fulfill my promise about the land” (See: INVALID translate/figs-idiom and INVALID translate/figs-metonymy)

Leviticus 26:43

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “The people of Israel will abandon their land” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Yahweh speaks about the land as if it were a person who is happy about resting, because no one will be planting seed or growing crops on it. This will allow the land to become more fertile. Alternate translation: “so it will benefit from the Sabbaths” (See: INVALID translate/figs-personification)

Leviticus 26:44

This concludes Yahweh’s message to Moses at Mount Sinai regarding the blessings for obedience and the punishments for disobedience.

Leviticus 26:45

“Call to mind” here is an idiom meaning “intentionally remember.” Here it represents fulfilling his covenant. Alternate translation: “I will fulfill the covenant with their ancestors” (See: INVALID translate/figs-idiom and INVALID translate/figs-metonymy)

This represents the knowledge of the nations. Alternate translation: “in the knowledge of the nations” or “and the nations knew about it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metonymy)

This represents the people of the nations. Alternate translation: “the people of the nations” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metonymy)

Leviticus 27

Leviticus 27 General Notes

Special concepts in this chapter

Dedicated to Yahweh

This chapter records the manner in which people make vows of dedication to Yahweh. There are many reasons why a person would dedicate something to Yahweh. (See: INVALID bible/kt/vow)

Leviticus 27:2

In this case the vow would involve giving oneself or another person to God. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “If anyone vows to give someone to Yahweh” (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Instead of giving the person, he would give the Lord a certain amount of silver. AT “use the following values as your gift to the Lord in place of the person” or “give the Lord the following amounts of silver instead of the person” (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 27:3

“The amount to pay” or “You must pay”

“20…60…50” (See: INVALID translate/translate-numbers)

If it is necessary to use modern weight units, here are two ways of doing it. Alternate translation: “fifty pieces of silver, each of which weighs ten grams” or “five hundred grams of silver” (See: INVALID translate/translate-bweight)

There were shekels of different weights. This is the one that people had to use in the sanctuary of the sacred tent. It weighed about 11 grams. Alternate translation: “Use the kind of shekel that is used in the sanctuary” or “When you weigh the silver, use the weight that is used in the sanctuary” (See: INVALID translate/translate-bweight)

Leviticus 27:4

If it is necessary to use modern weight units, here are two ways of doing it. Alternate translation: “thirty pieces of silver, each of which weighs ten grams” or “three hundred grams of silver” (See: INVALID translate/translate-bweight)

“30” (See: INVALID translate/translate-numbers)

Leviticus 27:5

“3” (See: INVALID translate/translate-numbers)

“the amount to pay” or “you must pay”

If it is necessary to use modern weight units, here are two ways of doing it. Alternate translation: “twenty pieces of silver” or “two hundred grams of silver” (See: INVALID translate/translate-bweight)

The phrases “of that age” and “your standard value must be” are left out, but are meant to be understood. Alternate translation: “for the female of that age your standard value must be ten shekels” (See: INVALID translate/figs-ellipsis)

If it is necessary to use modern weight units, here are two ways of doing it. Alternate translation: “ten pieces of silver” or “one hundred grams of silver” (See: INVALID translate/translate-bweight)

Leviticus 27:6

If it is necessary to use modern weight units, here are two ways of doing it. Alternate translation: “five pieces of silver” or “fifty grams of silver” (See: INVALID translate/translate-bweight)

“5…3” (See: INVALID translate/translate-numbers)

If it is necessary to use modern weight units, here are two ways of doing it. Alternate translation: “three pieces of silver” or “thirty grams of silver” (See: INVALID translate/translate-bweight)

Leviticus 27:7

“sixty years old and older”

“60…15…10” (See: INVALID translate/translate-numbers)

If it is necessary to use modern weight units, here are two ways of doing it. Alternate translation: “fifteen pieces of silver” or “150 grams of silver” (See: INVALID translate/translate-bweight)

The phrases “of that age” and “your standard value must be” are left out, but are meant to be understood. Alternate translation: “for a female of that age your standard value must be ten shekels” (See: INVALID translate/figs-ellipsis)

Leviticus 27:8

This can be stated in active form. AT “he must present to the priest the person he is giving” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 27:9

Yahweh continues telling Moses what the people must do.

“set apart to Yahweh”

Leviticus 27:10

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “both it and the one he exchanges it for” or the animals can be referred to simply as “both animals” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 27:11

If Yahweh will not accept a certain animal as an offering, the animal is spoken of as if it were physically dirty. It may be unclean because it is a certain kind of animal or because it has a defect. Alternate translation: “is in fact one that Yahweh will not accept” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 27:12

This is the value the animal is normally worth when someone buys or sells it.

Leviticus 27:13

“wishes to buy it back”

Leviticus 27:15

A “fifth” is a part of something that is divided into five equal parts. Alternate translation: “he must divide the value of the house into five equal parts, add the amount equal to one of those parts, and pay all of it” (See: INVALID translate/translate-fraction)

Leviticus 27:16

Here “a homer of barley” represents a piece of land that would need one homer of barley in order to plant on all of it. Alternate translation: “a piece of land that requires one homer of barley in order to plant all of it will be valued at” or ‘the value of land that requires one homer of barley will be” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metonymy)

A homer is 220 liters. (See: INVALID translate/translate-bvolume)

If it is necessary to use modern weight units, here are two way of doing it. Alternate translation: “fifty pieces of silver, each of which weighs ten grams” or “five hundred grams of silver” (See: INVALID translate/translate-bweight and INVALID translate/translate-numbers)

Leviticus 27:17

This occurs every 50 years. See how you translated “Jubilee” in Leviticus 25:10.

“Stand” represents “remain” or “remain the same.” Alternate translation: “its value will remain the same” or “its value will be the full amount” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metaphor)

Leviticus 27:18

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “he must reduce the estimated value” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 27:20

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “he can no longer buy it back” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

The time for redeeming the field can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: If he does not redeem the field before the year of Jubilee” (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

Leviticus 27:21

“in the year of restoration” or “the year for you to return land and free slaves.” This was a year when the Jews had to return land to its original owners and set slaves free See how you translated it in Leviticus 25:13

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “that someone has completely given to Yahweh” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 27:24

These two phases refer to the same person. Normally the land would be bought from its owner.

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the man who sold it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 27:25

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “The priests must determine the estimated values” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

There were shekels of different weights. This is the one that people had to use in the sanctuary of the sacred tent. (See: INVALID translate/translate-bweight)

The purpose of this sentence is to tell how much the sanctuary shekel weighs. The gerah was the smallest unit of weight that the Israelites used. Alternate translation: “One shekel must equal twenty gerahs” (See: INVALID translate/translate-bweight)

If it is necessary to use modern weight units, here is a way to do it. Alternate translation: “One shekel must weigh ten grams” (See: INVALID translate/translate-numbers and INVALID translate/translate-bweight)

Leviticus 27:26

“No one may set apart to Yahweh”

Leviticus 27:27

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “he must add a fifth to that value” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “If the person does not buy back the animal” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the priest must sell it at the set value” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 27:28

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “No one may sell or redeem anything a man has devoted to Yahweh, from all that he has, whether it is a human, an animal, or his family land” or “If a man devotes to Yahweh anything he has, whether human or animal, or his family land, no one may sell or redeem it” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

“Everything that anyone devotes to Yahweh is very holy to Yahweh”

Leviticus 27:29

This can be stated in active form. “No one may pay a ransom” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “for any person whom Yahweh has devoted to destruction” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Why a person would be devoted to destruction can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “for any person whom Yahweh has determined should die because of his sin” (See: INVALID translate/figs-explicit)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “you must put that person to death” or “you must kill that person” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 27:31

“If a man wants to buy back any of his tithe”

Leviticus 27:32

This refers to the way they would count their animals. Alternate translation: “when you count your animals by raising your shepherd rod and having them walk under it to the other side” or “when you count the animals” (See: INVALID translate/figs-metonymy)

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “you must set apart one-tenth to Yahweh” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

“every tenth animal”

Leviticus 27:33

“then both animals”

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “He cannot redeem it” or “He cannot buy it back” (See: INVALID translate/figs-activepassive)

Leviticus 27:34

This is a summary statement. It refers to the commandments that were given in the past chapters.

open-licensed biblical content

Leviticus

Leviticus front

Introduction to Leviticus

Part 1: General Introduction

Outline of Leviticus

What is the book of Leviticus about?

How should the title of this book be translated?

Who wrote the book of Leviticus?

What is the meaning of “holy” and “holiness” in the book of Leviticus?

What are the important narrative features of Leviticus?

Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts

Why did the Israelites need so many rules about sacrificing animals?

Why was the priesthood important in the book of Leviticus?

How did the Israelite’s rules for worshiping God and sacrificing animals differ from the other nations at that time?

Part 3: Important Translation Issues

What important symbols are introduced in Leviticus?

Why do many sections begin with the phrase “Yahweh said to Moses?”

Leviticus 1

Leviticus 01 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Special concepts in this chapter

Atonement

Leviticus 1:1

Leviticus 1:2

Leviticus 1:3

Leviticus 1:4

Leviticus 1:5

Leviticus 1:6

Leviticus 1:7

Leviticus 1:9

Leviticus 1:10

Leviticus 1:11

Leviticus 1:12

Leviticus 1:13

Leviticus 1:14

Leviticus 1:15

Leviticus 1:16

Leviticus 1:17

Leviticus 2

Leviticus 02 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Special concepts in this chapter

Yeast

Leviticus 2:1

Leviticus 2:2

Leviticus 2:4

Leviticus 2:5

Leviticus 2:6

Leviticus 2:7

Leviticus 2:8

Leviticus 2:9

Leviticus 2:10

Leviticus 2:11

Leviticus 2:12

Leviticus 2:13

Leviticus 2:14

Leviticus 2:16

Leviticus 3

Leviticus 03 General Notes

Structure and formatting

Special concepts in this chapter

Fat

Leviticus 3:1

Leviticus 3:2

Leviticus 3:3

Leviticus 3:4

Leviticus 3:5

Leviticus 3:7

Leviticus 3:8

Leviticus 3:9

Leviticus 3:10

Leviticus 3:11

Leviticus 3:12

Leviticus 3:13

Leviticus 3:14

Leviticus 3:15

Leviticus 3:16

Leviticus 3:17

Leviticus 4