Consecrate yourselves … and be holy: these two verbs, Consecrate and be holy, have the same root in Hebrew and express the same basic idea. For this reason they may be translated in some languages by a single verb. See 11.44. Given the difficulty in translating the concept of “holiness” in some languages, it may be possible in this context to say something like “Do not forget that you belong to me, and so live according to my will….”

For: the transition word used here should indicate that the existence of the LORD and the fact that the Israelites belong to him should be the basis for their desire to become holy.

I am the LORD your God: see 18.2. The ancient Greek version as well as some Hebrew manuscripts have a variant reading here that may be translated “for I the LORD your God, am holy,” as in verse 26 and 11.44-45. Although this is followed by New English Bible and New American Bible, it is not recommended by HOTTP and should probably not be used in the receptor-language translation.

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 .