And you shall take is the same as verse 12. The And here and throughout these instructions suggests the order or sequence in which these things are to be done. Good News Translation has “Next,” and Contemporary English Version has “Then.” All the fat that covers the entrails is literally “all the fat of the covering of the inward part.” This means, as Good News Translation expresses it, “all the fat which covers the internal organs,” although it was probably referring to the intestines, as the other organs are mentioned separately.

And the appendage of the liver, literally “the redundance over the liver,” probably refers to the extra lobe of the liver found in cattle, sheep, and goats, but not in humans. So Contemporary English Version has “lower part of the liver.” Some, however, have understood this to mean “the fatty mass over the liver” (New Jerusalem Bible), traditionally translated as the “caul” (King James Version, American Standard Version). Since this part of the liver is singled out for burning on the altar, Good News Translation calls it “the best part of the liver.” Another way to express this is “the choicest part of the liver.” And the two kidneys with the fat that is on them is clear enough. New Jerusalem Bible has “the two kidneys with their covering fat.” In some languages it will be better to say “both kidneys,” for it is usually common knowledge that animals have two of these organs.

And burn them upon the altar is literally “and you [singular] will cause to go up in smoke [on] the altar.” This means, of course, “burn them on the altar,” but the verb used is associated with sacrificial worship. Good News Translation even adds “as an offering to me,” which is also implied from the fact that these parts were to be selected for burning on a holy place rather than outside the camp (verse 14). New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “and turn them into smoke upon the altar.” Contemporary English Version has “send them up in smoke on the altar.” However, in some languages it will be better to say “and burn them on the altar so that their smoke ascends to me.”

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .