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.

LEVITICUS 1:14KJV
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Leviticus 1:14 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 1:14 mean?

Leviticus 1:14 explains that if someone wants to present a burnt sacrifice to the LORD but cannot offer a larger animal, they may bring a bird—specifically a turtledove or a young pigeon—as their offering. This verse shows that God made a way for people of different means to participate in worship through sacrifice.

In this part of Leviticus, God is giving Moses instructions for the Israelites about how to bring offerings at the Tabernacle. The focus here is on the burnt offering, a type of sacrifice that is completely burned on the altar. By allowing birds as acceptable offerings, the law makes it possible for even the poor to take part in this important act of worship.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 1:14

  • "sacrifice" (עֹלָה, ʿolah): This word refers to a burnt offering, one that is entirely consumed by fire. It highlights the idea of giving something wholly to God, not keeping any part back.
  • "offering" (קָרְבָּן, qorban): This term means something brought near or presented, emphasizing the act of drawing close to God through a gift.
  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God used in the Hebrew Bible, underlining that the sacrifice is directed to the God of Israel.
  • "fowls" (עוֹף, ʿoph): This word means birds in general, but the verse specifies which kinds—turtledoves or young pigeons—are acceptable.
  • "turtledoves" (תֹּר, tor) and "young pigeons" (בֶּן־יוֹנָה, ben-yonah): These were common, accessible birds in ancient Israel, making the sacrifice possible for those who could not afford livestock.

Why Leviticus 1:14 matters

  • Leviticus 1:14 clarifies that worship through sacrifice was not limited to the wealthy; even those with little could bring an acceptable offering.
  • This verse helps explain the structure of the sacrificial system, showing that God provided specific, practical instructions for different situations.
  • By connecting to the wider passage, Leviticus 1:14 shows the inclusiveness of the law and God’s concern for fairness and accessibility in worship.

Where else these words appear

“turtledoves” Hebrew H8449 · used in 14 verses

  • Genesis 15:9 And he said unto him, Take me an heifer of three years old, and a she goat of three years old, and a ram of three years old, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.
  • 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.
  • Leviticus 15:29 And on the eighth day she shall take unto her two turtles, or two young pigeons, and bring them unto the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

“pigeons” Hebrew H3123 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 8:8 Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground;
  • Leviticus 14:30 And he shall offer the one of the turtledoves, or of the young pigeons, such as he can get;
  • Song of Solomon 5:2 I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.

“fowls” Hebrew H5775 · used in 70 verses

  • Genesis 1:20 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
  • Leviticus 11:13 And these are they which ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,
  • Psalms 104:12 By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches.

“offering” Hebrew H7133 · used in 78 verses

  • Leviticus 1:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock.
  • Leviticus 7:29 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, He that offereth the sacrifice of his peace offerings unto the LORD shall bring his oblation unto the LORD of the sacrifice of his peace offerings.
  • Numbers 7:41 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.