Of the LORD’s: that is, “that has been offered to the LORD.”

While an uncleanness is on him: in contrast with the details given in verse 21, verse 20 probably involves a case of ritual impurity which comes about as a result of some action performed or experienced by the individual himself: birth (see chapter 12), sickness (chapter 13), nocturnal emission, or menstruation (chapter 15). This has been translated “(while) in a state of uncleanness” (Moffatt, New American Bible, and New Jerusalem Bible) and “while unclean” (New English Bible).

Shall be cut off from his people: although this formula is rather frequent in the Old Testament, its exact meaning is not known with certainty. Some scholars see in it a condemnation to death. But it is more likely that it involves the excommunication of the person from the social and religious community of Israel. Having all vital links to his former human fellowship severed, the guilty party is left to the justice of God himself (compare 20.6). Some languages may say “he will no longer be counted one of the people of God,” or “they [indefinite] will no longer consider him an Israelite,” or “he will be expelled from the community of God’s people.”

The Hebrew term translated people (see 4.3) is used in several different expressions having slightly different meanings ranging from a very broad “kin” to membership in a particular tribe or clan. If the receptor language has several different words to describe different degrees of kinship, it is probably best to use the most general term in this context. If there is any possibility that the reader or hearer will misunderstand his people, then it should be translated “the people of Israel,” or perhaps “the nation of Israel.”

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 .