Some of the log of oil: in most cases it will be unnecessary to repeat the name of the measure in this verse. This is especially true in light of the uncertainty of its equivalence. In most languages “some of the oil” or “some of the olive oil” should be adequate.

Into the palm of his own left hand: literally “in the palm of the left [hand] of the priest,” but such a rendering would very likely confuse the reader. What is important is for the reader to understand that it is indeed the left hand of the priest and not that of the person being purified. And this idea must be clearly conveyed in the most natural language possible.

Quoted with permission from Péter-Contesse, René and Ellington, John. A Handbook on Leviticus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1990. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .