complete verse (Leviticus 19:7)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Leviticus 19:7:

  • Kupsabiny: “And if that meat is eaten on the third day, it is not proper and it is not at all accepted.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “If it is eaten till the third day [lit.: till the day after], it will be defiled. It will not be accepted.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “If you (plur.) are-to-eat this on the third day, I will- not -accept this for this (is) detestable/abominable.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “For any of it to be eaten on the third day is very displeasing to me, and I will not accept that offering.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Leviticus 19:6 - 19:7

See 7.16-18.

It: this, of course, refers to the meat of the animal offered as a fellowship offering.

Shall be eaten: instead of the passive form, some languages will require “someone must eat it…” or “people may eat it….”

And: this conjunction may be better translated as “but” or “however” in many languages, since it marks the contrast between the period when the meat may be eaten and the time beyond that period—when it is forbidden to eat it.

An abomination: see 7.18 as well as 18.17, 22, 27.

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 .