And if he be poor, and cannot get so much; then he shall take one lamb for a trespass offering to be waved, to make an atonement for him, and one tenth deal of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering, and a log of oil;
LEVITICUS 14:21KJVWhat does Leviticus 14:21 mean?
Leviticus 14:21 gives instructions for someone who is poor and cannot afford the full offerings required for purification after being healed from a skin disease. The verse allows a person in this situation to bring a smaller, more affordable set of offerings—one lamb, a small amount of fine flour mixed with oil, and a measure of oil—so that they can still complete the ritual and be restored to the community.
In this part of Leviticus, God is speaking to Moses, giving laws for the Israelites about how to handle ritual purity. The specific context is the process for someone who has recovered from a serious skin disease (often called "leprosy" in older translations). The law makes a special allowance for those who are poor (noted by the word דַּל, dal), showing that everyone, regardless of wealth, has a way to be made right and rejoin the community.
The Hebrew behind Leviticus 14:21
- The word for "poor" is דַּל (dal), which means someone who is low, weak, or lacking in resources. Its use here highlights the law’s concern for those with little means.
- The word for "offering" in "trespass offering" is אָשָׁם (asham), which refers to a specific type of sacrifice for guilt or wrongdoing. This offering is part of the ritual to restore the person’s standing.
- The term for "waved" is תְּנוּפָה (tenufah), describing a ritual action where the offering is lifted or moved before God, symbolizing dedication or presentation.
- The "log" of oil uses לוֹג (log), an ancient liquid measure, showing the law’s precision about what is required, even in reduced circumstances.
Why Leviticus 14:21 matters
- Leviticus 14:21 shows that the law made room for people of all economic backgrounds, not just the wealthy, to participate fully in religious life.
- The verse emphasizes that ritual purity and restoration were not out of reach for the poor, highlighting a concern for fairness and inclusion.
- This allowance connects to the broader theme in Leviticus of God’s care for the vulnerable and the importance of community restoration after illness.