complete verse (Leviticus 5:3)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Leviticus 5:3:

  • Kupsabiny: “If/When a person touches something that makes people unclean, that person is guilty even if he did not intend it. When the person becomes aware of it, he needs to accept that he has done a mistake/sin.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “If anyone unknowingly touches any unclean part of a human body and later becomes aware of it, he will be judged guilty.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “If he touches the dirty/unclean things of a person that he was- not -aware-(of), [linker]/(and) because of-this he has-become dirty/unclean, he has-sinned when he now becomes-aware of this.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “If you touch any human feces, even if you do not intend to do that, when you realize what you have done, you must pay a penalty/be punished.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Leviticus 5:3

Or: introducing another example (see verse 2). The receptor language may have a different way of introducing one of a series of examples.

He: the translation should avoid giving the impression that the same person is involved here as in the previous verse. This is simply another case which may involve an entirely different person. It may be helpful to translate “someone” as in Good News Translation or even “someone else” in certain languages.

Human uncleanness: the various kinds of things that were considered human uncleanness by the people of Israel are described in considerable detail in Leviticus 12–15. To translate the term in this context, it is probably best to say something like “anything unclean that comes from another person.” But it may be advisable to include a cross reference to chapters 12–15 in a footnote.

And it is hidden from him: see verse 2.

When he comes to know it: while the person may be guilty before God as soon as the action is committed, this verse focuses attention on that person’s awareness of his guilt. Compare 4.13.

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 .