But: as at the beginning of verse 7, it may not be necessary to use such a strong transition word in translation. Naturalness in the receptor language should be the determining factor.
If he cannot afford …: the expression is slightly different from the beginning of verse 7, because the word “amount” does not appear here. And the verb translated afford is also different in this verse. The identical wording of verses 7 and 11 in both Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation is misleading. In view of the differences between the introductory words in the Hebrew of these verses, it is quite possible to translate here “if he does not have….” Traduction oecuménique de la Bible, for example, begins verse 11 with “If someone does not have in hand…,” and Bible en français courant translates “If a person does not have at his disposition….”
This second paragraph (5.11-13) probably does not represent a further reduction of the offering in favor of the extremely poor, as it has sometimes been interpreted. It seems rather to be a practical matter. In fact, the value of the flour required was probably not much less than that of two doves or two pigeons. But while everyone had a certain reserve of flour at home, not everyone was able to provide the birds required for the sacrifice. Consequently the translator should avoid any rendering that follows the first-mentioned interpretation (for example, “If he cannot afford even two doves or two pigeons…” as in Moffatt). The words may just as easily be translated “or if he does not have….”
A tenth of an ephah of fine flour: the translation of terms of measurement such as ephah in Good News Translation is given in pounds in the American version but in kilograms in the British version. The metric system will be shown in square brackets where it differs from the American version of Good News Translation. The translator, of course, should select the system in common use in the area where the receptor language is spoken, and not translate both forms.
The meaning of the term ephah is very uncertain. Estimates of the value of this dry measure in modern versions range from 20 pounds (10 kilograms) in Good News Translation to 30 kilograms in Bible en français courant. A tenth of an ephah could therefore be from one to three kilograms. While the exact value of this measurement is uncertain, it is important that the term be translated consistently. Other references where the ephah is mentioned in Leviticus are 6.20; 14.10, 21; 23.13, 17; and 24.5. It also occurs in 19.36, but not as an exact measurement. Translators working with languages that do not use the metric system should look for the closest natural equivalent in their own culture, especially in those cases where flour is measured by weight rather than volume. It is better to provide the reader with a meaningful equivalent rather than transliterating or being overly concerned about the precise value of this uncertain term. A footnote explaining its uncertainty is acceptable if it is deemed necessary in the receptor language.
Fine flour: see the discussion of the two kinds of flour under 2.1. The word used here is the one for “choice flour” (New Jerusalem Bible).
No oil … no frankincense: this is in contrast with 2.1, where olive oil and incense are mixed with the flour given as a grain offering. Good News Translation makes the contrast more explicit by adding “… not a grain offering.”
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 .