discharge

The Hebrew that is translated as “discharge” or similar in English is translated in Kalanga with tjigwele, a term that refers to sexually transmitted diseases. (Source: project-specific notes in Paratext)

In Kwere, the term ufila is used which implies pus (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext) and in Newari it is translated as “disease of the semen.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)

complete verse (Leviticus 15:3)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Leviticus 15:3:

  • Kupsabiny: “The man/person is unclean whether pus drips from the genitals or if it has stopped.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “If semen comes flooding from his body, even if it stops, that man is made unclean by it.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “And even-if this continuous to-flow or not, he is- still -to-be-considered dirty/unclean.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Whether that fluid is blocked or continues to drip, it causes him to be someone who should not be touched.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Leviticus 15:3

The first sentence in this verse is essentially a repetition of information already given in verse 2. Consequently it may be left implicit here, as has been done in Good News Translation.

Body: literally “flesh.” This again refers to the male sexual organ, as in the previous verse.

Runs: or “flows,” or “drains.” Depending on how the previous verse is translated, it may be necessary to say “continues to flow” or something similar.

His body is stopped from discharge: one way of understanding this passage is that the discharge caused by the infection may block the opening in the penis as in Good News Translation. But New English Bible interprets the last two verbs differently: “whether it [the discharge] continues or has been stopped.” This seems to answer the question as to whether or not only a persistent discharge is to be regarded as unclean. But the interpretation “stopped up” is more likely to be the correct one. In either case the person is said to be unclean. This contrasts with verse 2, where only the discharge is said to be unclean.

Both the Samaritan Pentateuch and the Greek Septuagint have a different and longer text in this verse. This longer reading is reflected in very few English translations. Translators are therefore advised to follow the Masoretic text, as do the majority of English versions.

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 .