Takes …: this is probably to be understood in the sense of “takes as a wife,” or “marries,” as in Good News Translation and a number of other versions. See verse 14.

His sister, a daughter of his father or a daughter of his mother: see 18.9.

Sees her nakedness, and she sees his nakedness: or “they see each other naked” (New English Bible). But this may also be translated “and they live together as husband and wife.” Compare Moffatt “he and she cohabit.” This is not the same as the expression uncovered … nakedness used later in this verse as well as in chapter 18 above.

A shameful thing: the idea of “shame” or “disgrace” is not usually difficult to express. But in some languages there may be a roundabout way of saying it, rather than using a single word.

They shall be cut off: see 7.20 and 17.10. The Good News Translation rendering here is “driven out….” This is more forceful than the Good News Translation translation of the same expression elsewhere, but may perhaps be justified by the context.

In the sight of the children of their people: this highlights the public nature of the punishment. The word rendered children of is the same as that translated “son of” in 1.5 and elsewhere. It simply refers to members of a group—in this case the Israelite people.

Uncovered … nakedness: this is the same expression used so frequently in chapter 18. See, for example, 18.6.

He shall bear his iniquity: the Septuagint has “they shall bear…,” as in verses 11, 12, and 13, but this is not followed by any modern version consulted.

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 .