The tithe: with the possible exception of Genesis 14.20, this is the first clear reference to a tithe to the LORD in the Old Testament (unless Jacob’s bargaining position in Gen 28.22 is taken as a kind of tithe). In this verse it refers to that part of what the soil produces (one tenth of the total) that the Israelites dedicated to God as a sign of their gratitude to him. It provided the basic revenue of the priests and Levites serving God in the sanctuary. Compare Numbers 18. In some languages the idea of the tithe in this verse may have to be translated by an expression like “One kilogram [or whatever measure is commonly used] of grain for every ten produced, and one piece of fruit of every ten produced belongs to the LORD.”

The seed of the land: most versions take this to refer to “grain” (Good News Translation, New International Version, New American Bible, An American Translation, Moffatt). But the rendering of New Jerusalem Bible is even more general, “the produce of the soil.” It would probably be misleading in most languages to translate seed literally.

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 .