I: this should be changed to “The LORD” in those languages where indirect discourse is being used. If direct discourse is used, it may be wise to remind the reader more specifically of the subject, using something like “I, the LORD.”

Blessing upon you … so that it will bring forth fruit: the wording of Revised Standard Version reflects the Hebrew but may be confusing. The pronoun it refers to the land. The land will produce in such abundance that the Israelites (you) will be blessed with plenty to eat during the Rest Year.

For three years: certain commentators think that these three years are counted in the Hebrew way:
1st year: the end of the sixth year, from the spring harvest to the autumn;
2nd year: the entire seventh year, from autumn to autumn;
3rd year: the eighth year, from autumn to the spring harvest.

If this is the case, the entire period would cover twenty-four months and should be translated “for two years” in those languages that count as in English (see Good News Translation and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch). But in those languages using a system of counting like that of the Israelites, it will be better translated for three years. Another solution is to make the whole period more explicit, with something like “for the year before the Rest Year, the Rest Year itself, and until the next harvest,” although this may be a bit awkward in some languages.

Others have suggested that the period of three years is intended to cover those cases when the Rest Year and the Year of Restoration came back to back (see New Jerusalem Bible footnote). But this is less likely.

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 .