When is the word ki, which means that a new law is now being given. (See the discussion at 21.2.) The word for causes … to be grazed over also means to burn, or consume by burning, so some interpret this verse as referring to burning off land in order to get rid of weeds and stubble (so New American Bible, Revised English Bible, and Moffatt). Most translations, however, understand it to mean “grazing,” as in Revised Standard Version, since destruction by burning is dealt with in the next verse.

Good News Translation and others move beast from the second to the first clause to make it clearer: “If someone lets his animals graze.” Field here refers to a plot of cultivated ground. Vineyard refers to a piece of land set aside for growing grapes. In cultures where grapes are unknown, one may borrow a term for “grapes” from the prestige language in the area or some other major language. In some languages vineyard will be rendered something like “field of grapes.” So it may be necessary to translate a field or vineyard as “a field for growing grain or a field for growing grapes.”

Or lets his beast loose is literally “and gives free play to [or, releases] his animal[s].” New International Version has “and lets them stray.” The word for beast is a collective noun, so it refers to “his animals” (Good News Translation) or “his livestock” (New International Version, New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh). And it feeds in another man’s field is literally “and it grazes [or consumes] in a field of another.” The verb used in the first clause is repeated here. Good News Translation expands this to bring out the meaning: “and they stray away and eat up the crops in another man’s field.”

He shall make restitution from is literally “he will pay back.” This means that “he must make good the loss,” or “he is to give compensation” (Durham). The best in his own field and in his own vineyard is literally “the best of his field and the best of his vineyard.” The word for best implies “the best part” (Revised English Bible) or “the best produce” (New American Bible). Good News Translation misses the idea of the best.

Some translations (New Jerusalem Bible, Revised English Bible) include two additional clauses in this verse that are found in the Septuagint, but most translations follow the Hebrew text.

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 .