Leviticus 14:22 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 14:22 mean?

Leviticus 14:22 explains that a person undergoing ritual cleansing must bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons—whatever he can afford—as offerings: one bird will be used for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering. This instruction allows for flexibility based on what the person is able to provide.

In this verse, God is giving Moses instructions for the ritual purification of someone who has been healed from a skin disease, often called leprosy. The priest is the one who oversees this process. The verse emphasizes that even those who cannot afford larger or more expensive animals can still participate fully in the ritual by offering birds, showing concern for people of limited means.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 14:22

• תּוֹרִים (torim, "turtledoves") and בְּנֵי יוֹנָה (benei yonah, "young pigeons"): These words specify the types of birds allowed, both of which were common and affordable in ancient Israel, making the ritual accessible.
• יַד (yad, "get" or "hand") and נָשָׂג (nasag, "able to get"): The phrase here is often understood as "whatever he is able to obtain," highlighting that the requirement is based on the person's means, not a fixed standard.
• חַטָּאת (chatat, "sin offering") and עֹלָה (olah, "burnt offering"): These terms refer to specific types of sacrifices, each with its own purpose—one for atonement, the other for dedication to God.

Why Leviticus 14:22 matters

• Leviticus 14:22 shows that ritual purity and restoration were not limited to the wealthy; even the poor could bring what they could afford and be accepted.
• The verse clarifies that both a sin offering and a burnt offering were required, each serving a distinct role in the ritual process.
• This instruction fits into a larger passage about restoring people to the community after illness, emphasizing both compassion and thoroughness in the law.