Leviticus 14:30

KJV

And he shall offer the one of the turtledoves, or of the young pigeons, such as he can get;

KJV (with Strong's)

And he shall offer {H6213} the one {H259} of the turtledoves {H8449}, or of the young {H1121} pigeons {H3123}, such as {H834} he can get {H3027}{H5381};

Complete Jewish Bible

He is to offer one of the doves or young pigeons, such as the person can afford,

Berean Standard Bible

Then he must sacrifice the turtledoves or young pigeons, whichever he can afford,

American Standard Version

And he shall offer one of the turtle-doves, or of the young pigeons, such as he is able to get,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 14:30 is a testament to God's compassionate provision within the intricate purification laws for individuals cleansed of *tzara'at*, a severe skin disease. This verse specifically details the alternative animal offerings—turtledoves or young pigeons—made available for those of limited financial means on the eighth day of their cleansing ritual, ensuring that economic status would not hinder an individual's full restoration to community and worship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 14 meticulously outlines the two phases of purification for someone healed of *tzara'at*. The first phase, described in [Leviticus 14:1-9](/leviticus/14-1 "Leviticus 14:1-9 - Initial Purification Ritual"), occurred outside the camp, involving two birds, cedarwood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop, culminating in a ritual bath and shaving, signifying a preliminary cleansing and readiness for re-entry into the community. The second, more elaborate phase, detailed from [Leviticus 14:10](/leviticus/14-10 "Leviticus 14:10 - Standard Offerings for Purification") onward, took place on the eighth day at the tabernacle, involving a series of sacrifices: a trespass offering, a sin offering, a burnt offering, and a grain offering. The standard requirement for these offerings, as seen in [Leviticus 14:10](/leviticus/14-10 "Leviticus 14:10 - Standard Offerings"), included three lambs and fine flour with oil. However, recognizing the economic diversity among the Israelites, the Law mercifully provided an alternative for the poor in [Leviticus 14:21-32](/leviticus/14-21 "Leviticus 14:21-32 - Alternative Offerings for the Poor"). Instead of three lambs, a poor person could offer one lamb for the trespass offering, and then two birds (turtledoves or young pigeons) to serve as the sin offering and burnt offering. Leviticus 14:30 specifically refers to the offering of *one* of these two birds, highlighting the precise allocation of the birds for their respective sacrificial roles within this compassionate provision.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, *tzara'at* was not merely a physical ailment but carried profound social and ritual implications. Individuals afflicted were considered ritually unclean and were ostracized from the community, living outside the camp (as seen in [Leviticus 13:46](/leviticus/13-46 "Leviticus 13:46 - Isolation of the Unclean")). This isolation underscored the gravity of impurity in a society where ritual purity was essential for communal worship and maintaining covenant relationship with God. The purification ritual, therefore, was not just about physical healing but about spiritual and social reintegration. Ancient Israelite society, like many others, had varying economic strata. While some could afford costly animals like lambs, others, particularly the poor, would struggle to meet such demands. The provision in [Leviticus 14:30](/leviticus/14-30 "Leviticus 14:30 - Provision for the Poor") and the surrounding verses (e.g., [Leviticus 14:21-22](/leviticus/14-21 "Leviticus 14:21-22 - Poor Man's Offerings")) demonstrates God's deep understanding of His people's socio-economic realities and His profound mercy. It ensured that the path to full restoration—to family, community, and the divine presence in the tabernacle—was accessible to *all*, regardless of their financial standing, underscoring that God's grace transcends economic barriers.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Turtledoves (Hebrew, _torim'_):** These birds, along with young pigeons, were common and readily available in ancient Israel, making them an accessible offering for the poor. They are frequently mentioned in the Mosaic Law as acceptable sacrifices, particularly for purification and sin offerings, especially when a more expensive animal was beyond one's means (e.g., [Leviticus 1:14](/leviticus/1-14 "Leviticus 1:14 - Burnt Offering of Birds"), [Leviticus 5:7](/leviticus/5-7 "Leviticus 5:7 - Sin Offering for the Poor"), [Leviticus 12:8](/leviticus/12-8 "Leviticus 12:8 - Post-Childbirth Purification")). Their inclusion here highlights God's practical compassion and the principle that the efficacy of the sacrifice lay in obedience and divine appointment, not in its monetary value.
* **"such as he can get" (Hebrew, מֵאֲשֶׁר תַּשִּׂיג יָדוֹ, _me'asher tassig yado'_):** This phrase literally translates to "from what his hand can reach/obtain" or "as his hand can acquire." It powerfully conveys the principle of giving according to one's ability. It is a recurring theme in biblical law and wisdom literature, emphasizing that God does not demand what is impossible or ruinous, but rather a sincere offering proportionate to one's resources. This phrase underscores God's grace, flexibility, and understanding of human limitations, ensuring that the burden of the law was not crushing but redemptive.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he shall offer the one of the turtledoves":** This refers to the specific allocation of the two birds mentioned in [Leviticus 14:22](/leviticus/14-22 "Leviticus 14:22 - Two Birds for the Poor"). For the poor person, one turtledove or young pigeon was designated for the sin offering, and the other for the burnt offering. This clause specifies the presentation of one of these birds for its particular sacrificial purpose.
* **"or of the young pigeons":** This clarifies the permissible types of birds for the offering. The choice between turtledoves and young pigeons was likely based on availability and ease of acquisition, further emphasizing the practical consideration for the poor. Both were ritually acceptable and served the same atoning purpose.
* **"such as he can get":** This concluding phrase is crucial, reiterating the divine allowance for the worshiper to bring an offering that is within their financial capacity. It underscores that God's law was designed to facilitate access to Him, not to create insurmountable barriers. The emphasis is on the individual's ability to procure the offering, reflecting God's mercy and the principle of proportionate giving.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 14:30, within its broader context, employs several significant literary devices. **Legal Precision** is evident in the meticulous detail of the purification rituals, even when making allowances for the poor. Despite the compassionate concession, the law remains specific about the *type* of bird (turtledoves or young pigeons), maintaining the integrity and order of the sacrificial system. There is an implicit **Contrast** drawn between the standard, more expensive offerings (lambs) and the alternative, more affordable ones (birds), which highlights God's impartiality and the universal accessibility of atonement. This contrast underscores that spiritual standing before God is not contingent upon material wealth. Furthermore, the phrase "such as he can get" serves as a form of **Euphemism** or **Understatement** for "according to his poverty" or "what little he has," gently articulating God's understanding of economic hardship without explicitly detailing the shame of poverty. Finally, the birds themselves function as **Symbolism**, representing accessible atonement and purification. They symbolize God's willingness to accept a humble offering when given with a sincere heart, affirming that the value of the sacrifice is derived from its divine institution and the worshiper's obedience, rather than its cost.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 14:30 profoundly reveals God's character as merciful, just, and universally accessible. It demonstrates that His divine provisions for atonement and restoration are not exclusive to the wealthy but are equally available to the poor. This principle establishes a foundational truth: God values the obedient heart and sincere willingness of the worshiper more than the monetary value of the offering. It underscores the idea that every individual, regardless of their socio-economic status, has equal access to the means of purification and reconciliation with God and community. This theological insight anticipates the New Testament emphasis on grace and the accessibility of salvation.

* [2 Corinthians 8:12](/2_corinthians/8-12 "2 Corinthians 8:12 - Giving According to One's Ability")
* [Luke 21:1-4](/luke/21-1 "Luke 21:1-4 - The Widow's Mite")
* [Isaiah 55:1](/isaiah/55-1 "Isaiah 55:1 - Invitation to All Who Thirst")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 14:30 offers timeless lessons for contemporary believers, reminding us that God's grace is not a commodity for the privileged but a freely offered gift accessible to all. It challenges us to reflect on our own understanding of giving and participation in faith. Just as God provided a way for the poor to be fully restored in ancient Israel, so too does He extend His ultimate provision—salvation—without cost to us. This verse encourages us to examine our hearts, ensuring that our worship, service, and generosity are motivated by sincere obedience and love, rather than by a desire to impress or by a focus on material quantity. It calls the church to be a community that actively embodies God's compassion, ensuring that no one is excluded from spiritual growth, service, or fellowship due to their economic circumstances, mirroring God's own inclusive nature.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Leviticus 14:30 challenge our modern perceptions of worship and giving, especially concerning financial status?**
* **In what ways can we, as a community of faith, embody God's compassion and ensure that spiritual participation is accessible to all, regardless of their means?**
* **Considering the principle of "such as he can get," what does it mean for you personally to offer your "best" to God in various areas of your life (time, talent, resources)?**

### FAQ
**Why were turtledoves and young pigeons specifically chosen for the poor?**

Answer: Turtledoves and young pigeons were chosen because they were common, readily available, and affordable birds in ancient Israel. Unlike lambs or goats, which were more expensive, these birds provided an accessible alternative for individuals of limited means to fulfill the sacrificial requirements. This choice demonstrates God's practical wisdom and mercy, ensuring that economic hardship would not be a barrier to purification and restoration. These birds were also ritually clean and had a history of use in other purification rites, such as the purification after childbirth in [Leviticus 12:8](/leviticus/12-8 "Leviticus 12:8 - Post-Childbirth Purification").

**Does this verse imply that God accepts "lesser" sacrifices from the poor?**

Answer: No, this verse does not imply that God accepts "lesser" sacrifices. Instead, it highlights God's acceptance of *proportionate* sacrifices. The value of the offering was not determined by its monetary cost but by its adherence to God's command and the sincerity of the worshiper's heart. The turtledoves and young pigeons, though less expensive, were equally effective in achieving atonement and purification as the more costly lambs, because they were divinely appointed. This underscores God's impartiality, demonstrating that His grace and the efficacy of His prescribed means of atonement are available to all, regardless of their economic standing. The emphasis is on obedience and willingness to offer "such as he can get," which is considered a complete and acceptable offering in God's eyes.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 14:30, with its compassionate provision for the poor, beautifully foreshadows the ultimate, universally accessible sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament sacrificial system, including the varied offerings for different economic strata, pointed to the need for atonement and the gracious provision of God. In Christ, this system finds its perfect and final fulfillment. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose single, perfect sacrifice on the cross was sufficient for all humanity, for all time. Unlike the Old Testament offerings, which required individuals to bring "such as he can get," Christ's atonement is entirely a gift, freely offered to everyone, rich or poor, without any cost or prerequisite on our part (see [Romans 3:23-24](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23-24 - Justification by Grace")). His blood cleanses from all sin, making us perfectly pure before God, fulfilling the ritual cleansing of *tzara'at* in a spiritual and eternal sense. Through faith in Him, we are fully restored to fellowship with God and His community, not based on our ability to offer anything, but solely on His finished work. This ultimate provision ensures that the path to eternal life and reconciliation with God is open to "whosoever believes in Him" (as articulated in [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love and Provision")), embodying the most profound expression of divine mercy and universal accessibility.

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

Leviticus 14:22

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.

Romans 8:3

For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

Luke 2:24

And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

Leviticus 15:14

And on the eighth day he shall take to him two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, and come before the LORD unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and give them unto the priest:

Leviticus 15:15

And the priest shall offer them, the one [for] a sin offering, and the other [for] a burnt offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD for his issue.

Leviticus 12:8

And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.