Then he must sacrifice the turtledoves or young pigeons, whichever he can afford, Then he shall offerThe phrase "Then he shall offer" indicates a prescribed action following a series of purification rituals. The Hebrew root for "offer" is "qarab," which means to bring near or present. This reflects the act of drawing near to God, a central theme in Levitical law. Offering a sacrifice was not merely a ritualistic duty but a profound act of worship and reconciliation with God. It underscores the importance of obedience and the heart's posture in approaching the divine. one of the turtledoves or young pigeons
The choice of "turtledoves or young pigeons" is significant. These birds were commonly used in sacrificial offerings due to their availability and affordability, especially for those who could not afford larger animals like lambs or goats. The Hebrew words "tor" (turtledove) and "ben yonah" (young pigeon) highlight God's provision for all economic classes, ensuring that everyone, regardless of financial status, could participate in the sacrificial system. This inclusivity reflects God's desire for all His people to have access to atonement and fellowship with Him. whichever he can afford
The phrase "whichever he can afford" emphasizes God's understanding and compassion towards the economic realities of His people. The Hebrew word "nasag" implies reaching or attaining, indicating that the offering should be within the means of the individual. This provision demonstrates God's grace and the principle that the heart's intent is more important than the material value of the offering. It reminds believers that God values sincerity and willingness over wealth and that He meets us where we are, providing a way for everyone to come into His presence. Persons / Places / Events 1. PriestThe priest plays a crucial role in the purification process, acting as a mediator between the unclean person and God. 2. LeperThe individual who has been afflicted with a skin disease and is undergoing the purification process. 3. Turtledoves or Young PigeonsThese birds are offered as a sacrifice, representing the individual's atonement and purification. 4. TabernacleThe central place of worship where sacrifices and purification rituals are conducted. 5. IsraelitesThe community to whom these laws were given, emphasizing the importance of holiness and purity. Teaching Points God's Provision for AllThe allowance for turtledoves or pigeons shows God's provision for those of varying economic means, emphasizing that everyone has access to purification and relationship with Him. Symbolism of SacrificeThe sacrifices symbolize atonement and the need for cleansing from sin, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Holiness and CommunityThe purification process underscores the importance of holiness within the community and the need for individuals to be restored to fellowship. Role of the MediatorThe priest's role as a mediator foreshadows Christ's role as our High Priest, who intercedes on our behalf. Practical FaithThe detailed instructions for purification remind us that faith involves practical steps of obedience and trust in God's provision. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the provision for offering turtledoves or pigeons reflect God's understanding of individual circumstances? 2. In what ways does the role of the priest in Leviticus 14:30 point to the work of Jesus as our High Priest? 3. How can the concept of purification in Leviticus 14:30 be applied to our spiritual lives today? 4. What does the requirement for a sacrifice teach us about the seriousness of sin and the need for atonement? 5. How can we ensure that our community reflects the holiness and purity emphasized in Leviticus 14:30? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 5:7This verse also discusses the provision for those who cannot afford a more expensive offering, highlighting God's understanding and accommodation for different economic situations. Luke 2:24Mary and Joseph offer turtledoves or pigeons at the temple, showing continuity in the practice and its significance in the New Testament. Hebrews 9:13-14Discusses the purification rituals and how they foreshadow the ultimate cleansing through Christ's sacrifice. People Aaron, Ephah, MosesPlaces Canaan, TemanTopics Able, Afford, Doves, Offer, Offering, Pigeons, Reacheth, Suffice, Turtledoves, Turtle-doves, WithinDictionary of Bible Themes Leviticus 14:30 4636 dove
8436 giving, of possessions Leviticus 14:1-32 7416 purification Leviticus 14:1-57 7340 clean and unclean Leviticus 14:13-31 7444 sin offering Leviticus 14:19-32 6648 expiation Library November 27. "And the Remnant of the Oil . . . Shall Pour Upon the Head" (Lev. xiv. 18).
"And the remnant of the oil ... shall pour upon the head" (Lev. xiv. 18). In the account of the healing of the Hebrew leper there is a beautiful picture of the touching of his ears, hands and feet, with the redeeming blood and the consecrating oil, as a sign that his powers of understanding, service, and conduct were set apart to God, and divinely endued for the Master's work and will. But after all this, we are significantly told that "the rest of the oil" was to be poured upon his head. The former …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth The First Stage in the Leper's Cleansing
'And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 2. This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing: He shall be brought unto the priest: 3. And the priest shall go forth out of the camp; and the priest shall look, and, behold, if the plague of leprosy be healed in the leper; 4. Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar-wood, and scarlet, and hyssop: 5. And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Appendix xv. The Location of Sychar, and the Date of Our Lord's visit to Samaria.
1. The Location of Sychar. Although modern writers are now mostly agreed on this subject, it may be well briefly to put before our readers the facts of the case. Till comparitively lately, the Sychar of St. John iv. was generally as representing the ancient Shechem. The first difficulty here was the name, since Shechem, or even Sichem, could scarcely be identified with Sychar, which is undoubtedly the correct reading. Accordingly, the latter term was represented as one of oppobrium, and derived from …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Jesus Sets Out from Judæa for Galilee.
Subdivision B. At Jacob's Well, and at Sychar. ^D John IV. 5-42. ^d 5 So he cometh to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 and Jacob's well was there. [Commentators long made the mistake of supposing that Shechem, now called Nablous, was the town here called Sychar. Sheckem lies a mile and a half west of Jacob's well, while the real Sychar, now called 'Askar, lies scarcely half a mile north of the well. It was a small town, loosely called …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Jesus Heals a Leper and Creates Much Excitement.
^A Matt.VIII. 2-4; ^B Mark I. 40-45; ^C Luke V. 12-16. ^c 12 And it came to pass, while he was in one of the cities [it was a city of Galilee, but as it was not named, it is idle to conjecture which city it was], behold, ^b there cometh { ^a came} ^b to him a leper [There is much discussion as to what is here meant by leprosy. Two diseases now go by that name; viz., psoriasis and elephantiasis. There are also three varieties of psoriasis, namely, white, black and red. There are also three varieties …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel John's First Testimony to Jesus.
(Bethany Beyond Jordan, February, a.d. 27.) ^D John I. 19-34. ^d 19 And this is the witness of John [John had been sent to testify, "and" this is the matter of his testimony], when the Jews [The term "Jews" is used seventy times by John to describe the ruling classes of Judæa] sent unto him [In thus sending an embassy they honored John more than they ever honored Christ. They looked upon John as a priest and Judæan, but upon Jesus as a carpenter and Galilæan. It is probable that …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel John the Baptist's Person and Preaching.
(in the Wilderness of Judæa, and on the Banks of the Jordan, Occupying Several Months, Probably a.d. 25 or 26.) ^A Matt. III. 1-12; ^B Mark I. 1-8; ^C Luke III. 1-18. ^b 1 The beginning of the gospel [John begins his Gospel from eternity, where the Word is found coexistent with God. Matthew begins with Jesus, the humanly generated son of Abraham and David, born in the days of Herod the king. Luke begins with the birth of John the Baptist, the Messiah's herald; and Mark begins with the ministry …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Leviticus 14:30 NIVLeviticus 14:30 NLTLeviticus 14:30 ESVLeviticus 14:30 NASBLeviticus 14:30 KJV
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