Many elements in this verse have been left implicit in Hebrew. So it is not easy to understand. Revised Standard Version translates more or less literally and fails to make explicit the relationship between this verse and its immediate context. Such a translation gives the impression of a very general statement which probably does not correspond to the intention of the original. The Good News Translation rendering is a much better model at this point.

In it: these words are not found in the Hebrew text, and their inclusion here complicates the meaning.

Which may be eaten: this is a description of any food that is “edible” (see New Jerusalem Bible) or acceptable for eating under normal circumstances within the regulations of the Jewish community. Some may prefer to translate it using the negative form “which is not forbidden to eat.”

Upon which water may come: this gives the impression that the writer meant any water at all, but the context indicates that it was water from the pot mentioned in verse 33 that the writer had in mind. This will have to be made explicit in most functionally equivalent translations. And the words may come will have to be rendered “has been poured.” Where passive forms are not possible, one may say “has touched,” “has fallen,” or “has made contact.” On the other hand, some commentators do not accept this interpretation. They feel that it means “any edible food that is prepared with water.” And Jerusalem Bible translates “even though it has been steeped in water.” But the majority of modern scholarship supports the translation “any food which comes into contact with water out of such a pot.”

Which may be drunk: this is parallel to the idea of “edible” food above. Similarly, it may be translated in some languages “which is acceptable (or, permitted) to drink” or “which is not forbidden to drink.” New Jerusalem Bible has “any drinkable liquid.”

From every such vessel: that is, any container that has become contaminated by contact with the unclean. The container may be made of clay (verse 33) or of wood or skin (verse 32). In some languages the wording may be “any container, whatever material it is made of.”

This verse does not explain what is to be done with such a container; but the rules given previously (verses 32-33) regarding purification or destruction apply here.

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 .