complete verse (Leviticus 18:19)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Leviticus 18:19:

  • Kupsabiny: “Do not sleep with a woman when she is in the days of the month (her period).” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “’Do not have intercourse with any woman while she is menstruating unclean. ” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “[You (sing.)] do- not -have-sexual-intercourse with a woman who has her monthly-period for she is-considered dirty/unclean.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “‘Do not have sex with any woman while she is having her monthly menstrual period.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Leviticus 18:19

Approach … to uncover her nakedness: another expression for sexual intercourse. See verse 6.

While she is in her menstrual uncleanness: literally “in the time of her uncleanness,” but this obviously refers to the ritual state of the woman due to her monthly period of menstruation.

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 .