The uncle of Aaron: this, of course, was Moses’ uncle also. In some languages it may be more natural to refer to him in this way. In many languages it is essential to indicate which side of the family an uncle represents. The Hebrew word here designates the paternal uncle. But in some cases it may be necessary to say “Uzziel, the brother of Aaron’s father.” Elsewhere an uncle may be called “small father” or something similar.

Your brethren: the term brethren has a broader sense in Hebrew than “brothers” in some other languages. As in many parts of Africa, it is used of any member of the extended family. New Jerusalem Bible has “kinsmen.” In those languages where more precise designation is preferred, the term “cousins” may be used, as in Good News Translation.

Since Nadab and Abihu are dead at this point, it may be preferable in the receptor language to state clearly “the bodies of your cousins” or “your cousins’ bodies” (Good News Translation) rather than simply “your cousins.” And in some cases it may even be advisable to add “which are lying in front of the sanctuary.” If this is done, it will almost certainly alter the rendering of the rest of this verse.

From before: the two prepositions used together here give the meaning “away from.” There is no indication as to the precise location of Moses as he speaks, but presumably he was in or very near the Tent and next to the bodies of Nadab and Abihu.

The sanctuary: this is a synonym for “the Tent of the LORD’s presence” and should be translated in such a way that the reader will know that it refers to the same object. See comments on “tent of meeting” and “tabernacle” at 8.10.

Out of the camp: see 4.12.

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 .