The structure of this verse in Hebrew is unusual, and the meaning of some words is uncertain. This has given rise to a number of very different interpretations.

It shall be made: this may also be understood in the active sense, “You shall make.” And in those languages where passive forms are difficult or impossible, it must be changed to an active construction in any case. The subject should then be the same as in the second part of the verse, you shall bring, referring to the priest.

With oil on a griddle: on oil see 2.1; and on griddle see 2.5.

Well mixed: the structure of the Hebrew is such that these words can go with “It shall be made (or prepared, or cooked)” (as Good News Translation, New Jerusalem Bible, An American Translation interpret) or with you shall bring (interpretation of Revised Standard Version, New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible). Logically, it seems to fit better with the preparation of the offering rather than with its presentation.

In baked pieces: the word translated baked in Revised Standard Version and some other English versions is difficult and uncertain. A number of other translations and commentaries have understood the word to mean “broken” or “crumbled” (Good News Translation, New English Bible, New International Version, New American Bible, An American Translation, and Moffatt). Still others, following the Septuagint, see it as referring to a kind of pastry (Jerusalem Bible, Traduction oecuménique de la Bible). Translators should probably look for an equivalent to the idea of breaking or crumbling into small pieces. But it may be advisable to add a footnote explaining the uncertainty concerning this term and the different possible translations of it.

A pleasing odor to the LORD: see 1.9.

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 .