On the various synonyms for law in this verse, see verse 3 and 18.4.

Spurn my statutes: that is, “reject” (New Jerusalem Bible and New Jerusalem Bible) or “refuse” (Jerusalem Bible). Good News Translation is more explicit with “refuse to obey….”

Your soul: the mention of the word soul in the receptor-language translation should probably be avoided. This is simply an emphatic way of saying “you” or “you yourself,” but it is good to retain the emphasis where possible. See 4.2. Compare also verse 11 above.

Abhors my ordinances: this is merely another way of saying what has already been said above. If a synonymous expression can be found, the idea may be repeated, but a repetition of the same meaning is not essential.

Break my covenant: this is the opposite of what God promises to do in the case of obedience (see verse 9). In some languages one may have to say “fail to honor,” “not observe,” or “show disrespect for.” On the word covenant, see 2.13 and 24.8.

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 .