Leviticus 14:22

KJV

And two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, such as he is able to get; and the one shall be a sin offering, and the other a burnt offering.

KJV (with Strong's)

And two {H8147} turtledoves {H8449}, or two {H8147} young {H1121} pigeons {H3123}, such as he is able to get {H3027}{H5381}; and the one {H259} shall be a sin offering {H2403}, and the other {H259} a burnt offering {H5930}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and two doves or two young pigeons, such as he can afford, the one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering.

Berean Standard Bible

and two turtledoves or two young pigeons, whichever he can afford, one to be a sin offering and the other a burnt offering.

American Standard Version

and two turtle-doves, or two young pigeons, such as he is able to get; and the one shall be a sin-offering, and the other a burnt-offering.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 14:22 specifies the humble offerings required for the purification ritual of an individual healed from *tzara'at*, a severe skin condition. It mandates two turtledoves or two young pigeons, emphasizing God's compassionate provision for the poor by allowing accessible sacrifices. These birds serve distinct purposes: one as a sin offering to atone for impurity and sin, and the other as a burnt offering, symbolizing complete dedication and acceptance, thereby facilitating the healed person's full reintegration into the community and worship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 14 details the elaborate, multi-stage purification process for someone afflicted with *tzara'at*. The chapter begins with the initial declaration of cleansing by the priest outside the camp, involving two live birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop ([Leviticus 14:1-7](/leviticus/14-1 "Leviticus 14:1-7 - Initial Cleansing Ritual")). Following this, the cleansed individual undergoes a period of isolation, shaves all their hair, and washes their clothes and body ([Leviticus 14:8-9](/leviticus/14-8 "Leviticus 14:8-9 - Further Purification Steps")). On the eighth day, they are to bring specific offerings to the tabernacle. Prior to our verse, [Leviticus 14:10-20](/leviticus/14-10 "Leviticus 14:10-20 - Offerings for the Cleansed Leper") outlines the offerings for those who could afford them: two male lambs, one ewe lamb, and flour with oil. Leviticus 14:22 directly follows this, providing an alternative, less expensive set of offerings for those of limited means, ensuring that no one was barred from purification due to poverty. This verse is thus a critical component of the final stage of ritual re-entry into the Israelite community.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** *Tzara'at* was a dreaded skin affliction in ancient Israel, often translated as "leprosy" but encompassing a broader range of severe dermatological conditions, including those affecting garments and houses ([Leviticus 13](/leviticus/13 "Leviticus 13 - Laws Concerning Tzara'at")). Those afflicted were considered ritually unclean and were ostracized from the community, forced to live outside the camp ([Leviticus 13:45-46](/leviticus/13-45 "Leviticus 13:45-46 - Isolation of the Unclean")). This isolation was not merely physical but also spiritual, as it prevented participation in communal worship and interaction with the holy presence of God in the tabernacle. The purification ritual, therefore, was profoundly significant, symbolizing not only physical healing but also spiritual restoration and social reintegration. The provision in [Leviticus 14:22](/leviticus/14-22 "Leviticus 14:22 - Offerings for the Poor") for "such as he is able to get" reflects God's deep compassion and justice, ensuring that economic status would not impede access to purity and fellowship with Him. This principle of divine accommodation for the poor is a recurring theme in the Mosaic Law, seen also in other offering regulations such as the sin offering for the poor in [Leviticus 5:7-11](/leviticus/5-7 "Leviticus 5:7-11 - Sin Offerings for the Poor").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sin Offering (Hebrew, _chaṭṭāʾt_):** While often translated as "sin offering," the Hebrew term חַטָּאת (_chaṭṭāʾt_) more broadly signifies a "purification offering." Its primary purpose was to cleanse from ritual impurity and to atone for unintentional sins or defilements that disrupted one's relationship with God and the community. The blood of the offering, applied to the altar, ritually purified the worshiper and the sanctuary from the defilement caused by sin or impurity, restoring the individual to a state of ceremonial cleanness.
* **Burnt Offering (Hebrew, _ʿōlāh_):** The Hebrew term עֹלָה (_ʿōlāh_), meaning "that which goes up," refers to an offering entirely consumed by fire on the altar, with the smoke ascending to God. This offering symbolized complete dedication, consecration, and devotion to God. Unlike the sin offering, which focused on atonement for impurity, the burnt offering was an act of worship, expressing the worshiper's total surrender, gratitude, and renewed commitment to the Lord, signifying acceptance and fellowship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And two turtledoves, or two young pigeons,"**: This clause introduces the specific type of birds required for the purification ritual. Turtledoves and young pigeons were common, inexpensive birds in ancient Israel, making them accessible even to the poorest members of society. This specification immediately signals God's merciful provision, contrasting with the more costly lamb offerings mentioned earlier in the chapter for those who could afford them.
* **"such as he is able to get;"**: This phrase is a powerful testament to God's grace and compassion. It explicitly states that the required offering is flexible based on the individual's economic capacity. It removes any financial barrier to purification and reintegration, ensuring that God's pathway to restoration is available to all, regardless of their material wealth. This principle underscores God's desire for fellowship with His people over strict adherence to costly sacrifices.
* **"and the one shall be a sin offering,"**: One of the two birds is designated as a sin offering. This highlights the necessity of addressing the impurity and any associated sin that led to the *tzara'at* and the subsequent separation from God and the community. The sin offering symbolically cleansed the individual from their defilement, making them ritually pure to approach God.
* **"and the other a burnt offering."**: The second bird is designated as a burnt offering. This signifies the healed individual's renewed commitment and dedication to God. After being cleansed from impurity, the burnt offering represented their total surrender, worship, and acceptance back into a right relationship with the Almighty, symbolizing their re-consecration to a life lived in fellowship with Him.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 14:22 employs several significant literary devices. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the turtledoves and young pigeons symbolizing humility, accessibility, and God's compassionate provision for the poor. These birds, otherwise ordinary, become sacred instruments of purification and dedication. The distinct roles of the sin offering and burnt offering also carry profound **Symbolism**: the former representing the necessary cleansing from defilement and sin, and the latter, complete consecration and acceptance. Furthermore, the entire ritual, including this verse, functions as **Typology**, foreshadowing the ultimate, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who would fulfill and transcend the Old Testament sacrificial system. The allowance for a less expensive offering demonstrates **Divine Accommodation**, showcasing God's willingness to meet His people where they are, ensuring that His covenant blessings and pathways to restoration are not exclusive to the wealthy but are accessible to all who seek Him.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 14:22 profoundly reveals God's character as both holy and merciful. His holiness demands purity and atonement for sin and defilement, as evidenced by the need for offerings. Yet, His mercy is equally evident in His provision for the poor, ensuring that no one is excluded from the path to restoration due to economic hardship. This principle underscores that God desires a relationship with all His people, making His grace accessible. The dual nature of the offerings—sin offering for cleansing and burnt offering for dedication—highlights that true spiritual restoration involves both the removal of sin's defilement and a renewed, wholehearted commitment to God. This intricate system pointed forward to a greater reality, emphasizing the need for a perfect sacrifice and complete surrender to God for true and lasting fellowship.

* [Leviticus 5:7](/leviticus/5-7 "Leviticus 5:7 - Offerings for the Poor")
* [Luke 2:24](/luke/2-24 "Luke 2:24 - Mary and Joseph's Offering")
* [Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 14:22, though rooted in an ancient ritual, offers timeless insights into God's character and our spiritual journey. It reminds us that God's grace is not reserved for the privileged but is accessible to all who genuinely seek Him, regardless of their status or resources. Just as the healed individual needed to acknowledge their impurity and dedicate themselves anew, we too are called to recognize our spiritual defilement (sin) and seek God's cleansing. Furthermore, our response to His grace should be one of complete dedication, offering our lives as a "living sacrifice" in worship and obedience. This verse challenges us to consider how we might extend God's compassionate provision to others, ensuring that no one is excluded from the community of faith or the means of grace due to their circumstances. It encourages a heart of humility, knowing that our access to God is not based on what we can afford, but on what He has graciously provided.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's provision for the poor in this verse challenge my understanding of His justice and mercy?**
* **In what areas of my life do I need to seek God's cleansing (like the sin offering), and how can I express complete dedication to Him (like the burnt offering)?**
* **How can I embody the principle of "such as he is able to get" in my interactions with others, ensuring that spiritual and communal resources are accessible to all?**

### FAQ

**Why were two different types of offerings (sin and burnt) required for the same purification ritual?**

Answer: The requirement for both a sin offering and a burnt offering highlights the dual aspects of restoration and renewed relationship with God. The sin offering (חַטָּאת, _chaṭṭāʾt_) primarily addressed the ritual impurity and any associated sin that had caused separation from God and the community. It cleansed the individual from defilement, making them ritually pure. The burnt offering (עֹלָה, _ʿōlāh_), on the other hand, symbolized complete dedication, consecration, and worship. After being cleansed, the individual offered themselves wholly to God, signifying their renewed commitment and acceptance back into full fellowship. Thus, the two offerings together represented both atonement for past impurity and a forward-looking act of devotion and re-consecration to God.

**What is the significance of "such as he is able to get" in the context of Old Testament law?**

Answer: The phrase "such as he is able to get" (מַשִּׂיגָה יָדוֹ, _maśśîgāh yāḏô_, literally "as his hand can reach") is a profound expression of God's compassion and justice within the Mosaic Law. It demonstrates divine accommodation, ensuring that economic status would not be a barrier to fulfilling religious obligations or accessing God's grace. This principle is seen in various contexts, such as the sin offering for the poor in [Leviticus 5:7-11](/leviticus/5-7 "Leviticus 5:7-11 - Sin Offerings for the Poor") and the redemption of vows in [Leviticus 27:8](/leviticus/27-8 "Leviticus 27:8 - Valuations for Vows"). It underscores that God values the heart and willingness of the worshiper more than the material value of the offering, making the path to purity and fellowship accessible to all, irrespective of their wealth.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 14:22, with its humble offerings for purification and dedication, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "sin offering" of the turtledove or pigeon, designed to cleanse from impurity and atone for sin, powerfully prefigures Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross. He became our perfect [sin offering](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us"), taking upon Himself the defilement of humanity's sin, thereby cleansing us once for all from all unrighteousness ([1_john/1-7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing by Christ's Blood")). Furthermore, the "burnt offering," symbolizing complete dedication and acceptance, is perfectly embodied in Jesus' life of perfect obedience and His ultimate self-sacrifice. His entire life was an ['olah](/hebrews/10-5 "Hebrews 10:5 - Christ's Obedient Sacrifice"), a perfect offering of Himself, wholly consumed by His Father's will, ascending as a fragrant aroma to God ([ephesians/5-2](/ephesians/5-2 "Ephesians 5:2 - Christ's Sacrificial Love")). The compassionate provision for "such as he is able to get" in Leviticus 14:22 beautifully foreshadows the universal accessibility of salvation through Christ. No one is excluded from God's grace due to their spiritual poverty or inability to "afford" salvation; it is freely given to all who believe, a gift of immeasurable value purchased by the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") for all humanity ([romans/3-24](/romans/3-24 "Romans 3:24 - Justification as a Gift")). Through Him, we are not only cleansed but also enabled to offer our lives as living sacrifices, wholly consecrated to God ([romans/12-1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 7:16

¶ But they that escape of them shall escape, and shall be on the mountains like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity.

Leviticus 5:7

¶ And if he be not able to bring a lamb, then he shall bring for his trespass, which he hath committed, two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, unto the LORD; one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering.

Song Of Solomon 2:14

¶ O my dove, [that art] in the clefts of the rock, in the secret [places] of the stairs, let me see thy countenance, let me hear thy voice; for sweet [is] thy voice, and thy countenance [is] comely.

Psalms 68:13

Though ye have lien among the pots, [yet shall ye be as] the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.

Isaiah 38:14

Like a crane [or] a swallow, so did I chatter: I did mourn as a dove: mine eyes fail [with looking] upward: O LORD, I am oppressed; undertake for me.

Isaiah 59:11

We roar all like bears, and mourn sore like doves: we look for judgment, but [there is] none; for salvation, [but] it is far off from us.

Jeremiah 48:28

O ye that dwell in Moab, leave the cities, and dwell in the rock, and be like the dove [that] maketh her nest in the sides of the hole's mouth.