And you shall make for them again uses the singular you. The Hebrew uses the imperative form of the verb rather than the usual imperfect, but there is no significant difference in meaning. Linen breeches refers to the “undergarments” (New Revised Standard Version) the priests were to wear. The dual form of the noun suggests that there were two apron-like pieces for the front and the back, not quite the same as “drawers” (New American Bible) or “shorts” (Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version), but joined between the legs. However, in most languages the idea of “shorts” or “under-pants” will be easier to translate. The word for linen refers to the more common linen cloth, not to the “fine linen” of the priestly vestments. (But see the description at 39.28.)

To cover their naked flesh is literally “for a covering of the flesh of the genitals.” Most translations use an appropriate euphemism, but Durham has “to clothe naked genital areas,” and Revised English Bible has “to cover their private parts.” Good News Translation says it differently, “so that they will not expose themselves” (so also Contemporary English Version), drawing from the earlier command in 20.26. (See the comment there.) Another way to express this euphemistically is “so that they will not appear shameful [or, obscene].” From the loins to the thighs they shall reach indicates the size of the breeches, which were to cover the area from below the waist to the upper leg. This is usually rendered as “from the waist to the thighs” (Good News Translation), but New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh has “from the hips to the thighs.”

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 .