Leviticus 14:22

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

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The text addresses a poor person completing a ritual cleansing, instructing them on the specific animal offerings required when they cannot afford the standard provisions. The instruction occurs within a broader ceremonial law detailing post-recovery purification rites.

The words — תַּשִׂ֖יג (ta.Sig) means "it will reach" or "it will afford," marking the financial boundary of the offerer. The phrase בְּנֵי יוֹנָה (be.Nei yo.Nah) literally translates to "young ones of a dove," specifying the acceptable avian substitute.

The thread — This provision for affordable bird offerings appears in Leviticus 5:7 and aligns with the dove imagery cited in Ezekiel 7:16 and Psalm 68:13. The text establishes a consistent pattern where economic capacity dictates the specific sacrificial category permitted.

Why it lands — The verse requires the reader to recognize that ritual compliance accommodates economic reality while preserving the structural requirement of paired offerings. It demands a practical assessment of one's resources against prescribed religious obligations.

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

וּשְׁתֵּ֣יu./she.Teiand/ two תֹרִ֗יםto.Rimturtle-doves א֤וֹ'oor שְׁנֵי֙she.Neitwo בְּנֵ֣יbe.Neiyoung ones of יוֹנָ֔הyo.Naha dove אֲשֶׁ֥ר'a.Sherwhich תַּשִּׂ֖יגta.Sigit will reach יָד֑וֹya.D/ohand/ his וְהָיָ֤הve./ha.Yahand/ it will be אֶחָד֙'e.Chadone [bird]חַטָּ֔אתcha.Tata sin offering וְהָאֶחָ֖דve./ha./'e.Chadand/ the/ one עֹלָֽה׃'o.Laha burnt offering

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

Ezekiel 7:16 The survivors will escape and live in the mountains, moaning like doves of the valley, each for his own iniquity.
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.
Psalms 68:13 Though you lie down among the sheepfolds, the wings of the dove are covered with silver, and her feathers with shimmering gold.”
Song of Solomon 2:14 O my dove in the clefts of the rock, in the crevices of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your countenance is lovely.
Isaiah 38:14 I chirp like a swallow or crane; I moan like a dove. My eyes grow weak as I look upward. O Lord, I am oppressed; be my security.”
Isaiah 59:11 We all growl like bears and moan like doves. We hope for justice, but find none, for salvation, but it is far from us.
Jeremiah 48:28 Abandon the towns and settle among the rocks, O dwellers of Moab! Be like a dove that nests at the mouth of a cave.