Bible Strands
Leviticus 1:14
If, instead, one’s offering to the LORD is a burnt offering of birds, he is to present a turtledove or a young pigeon.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God instructs Moses and the Israelites on the procedural requirements for a burnt offering when the worshiper possesses only birds. This directive operates as a contingency clause within the initial sacrificial regulations of Leviticus 1.
The words — וְ/אִ֧ם (ve./'Im) functions as a conditional marker meaning "and if," while עֹלָ֥ה ('o.Lah) specifies the ritual category of a "burnt offering." These terms frame the verse as a legal substitution within the offering protocol.
The thread — The avian alternative for a burnt offering recurs in Leviticus 5:7 and Leviticus 12:8 as a provision for financial limitation, and is explicitly quoted in Luke 2:24 to document the temple presentation.
Why it lands — The text mandates the presentation of a turtledove or young pigeon when livestock is unavailable, maintaining the structural requirement of a burnt offering to Yahweh. It requires the worshiper to adhere to the prescribed avian procedure without altering the ritual's fundamental parameters.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And if the burnt sacrifice for his offering to the Lord be of fowls, then he shall bring his offering of turtledoves, or of young pigeons.
Cross-references
- Leviticus 5:7 If, however, he cannot afford a lamb, he may bring to the LORD as restitution for his sin two turtledoves or two young pigeons—one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering.
- Luke 2:24 and to offer the sacrifice specified in the Law of the Lord: “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
- Leviticus 12:8 But if she cannot afford a lamb, she shall bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. Then the priest will make atonement for her, and she will be clean.’”
- Genesis 15:9 And the LORD said to him, “Bring Me a heifer, a goat, and a ram, each three years old, along with a turtledove and a young pigeon.”
- Matthew 11:29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
- 2 Corinthians 8:12 For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
- Hebrews 7:26 Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.