In verses 9 and following the Hebrew shifts back and forth between the second person plural and the second person singular (compare King James Version “ye … thou…”). There is no obvious reason for these shifts, so the plural should probably be used throughout in the receptor-language translation of this section.

When you reap the harvest …: this refers to a later time when Israel would be settled in the land of Canaan and have fields planted. If it is thought to be necessary, the translation may read “When you start to harvest what you have planted…,” or even “When you have settled in the land and begin harvesting your crops (or, grain)….”

You shall not reap … border: literally “do not finish reaping the edge (or, corner) of your field.” This refers to the practice of being so meticulous that even the grain ordinarily overlooked is sought.

Gather the gleanings …: this can be rendered “go back over to pick up all that is left over.” The two expressions together may be translated “you shall not be so careful that you reap absolutely everything” or “you must not take away every bit of the grain by harvesting carefully around the edges or by going over the whole field a second time.”

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 .