If …: it is equally possible to begin with “For example…” or “Suppose that….” See the introductory paragraph above.

If any one sins: literally “And a soul (or, person), if she sins.” This formula is used with slight variations to introduce each of the four examples in verses 1-4. The mention of “sin” is left implicit in Good News Translation because the context makes it clear that these are cases where “Sin offerings are required.” If this word must be made explicit in the receptor language, this may be done by saying something like “If a person commits sin by not giving information when called to give evidence….”

Hears a public adjuration: the term translated public adjuration may refer to a court case in a more restricted legal sense, or more generally to any public palaver where a person would be solemnly charged to tell others what he had seen or heard. New International Version, for example, has “public charge.” But the courtroom setting seems preferable, as in Good News Translation. After a witness had been called into court, the judge pronounced a curse on him if he should lie or fail to give important information. This was a formal, official way of requiring a person to tell what he had seen or heard about a particular case. It is very similar to the modern practice of requiring a person to swear that he will tell the truth in a court of law.

Yet does not speak: that is, the person fails to testify in court what he knows about the case in spite of the fact that he has been required to do so by the judge.

He shall bear his iniquity: this frequently-used expression usually emphasizes a person’s guilt and the fact that he must suffer the consequences and be punished. Most languages have expressions that communicate easily the idea of “suffering the consequences of one’s actions.” Some say “he must bear the weight of his deed” or “he will not escape the punishment for what he has done.” Others have still more idiomatic ways of rendering this idea. What is important is that the meaning be conveyed as naturally as possible.

This verse seems out of place to some scholars because it says nothing about the sin being committed unintentionally (in contrast with the cases mentioned in verses 2-4). But the translator should simply translate the text as it stands. When the text was compiled, there was apparently some connection between this sin and the others that follow.

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 .