And he shall offer the one of the turtledoves, or of the young pigeons, such as he can get;

LEVITICUS 14:30KJV
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Leviticus 14:30 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 14:30 mean?

Leviticus 14:30 says that the person being cleansed must offer one of the turtledoves or young pigeons, whichever kind he is able to obtain. This is part of a ritual for someone who has been healed from a skin disease, allowing for flexibility based on what the person can afford or access.

In this passage, God is giving instructions to Moses for the priests, explaining the process for restoring someone to the community after being healed from a skin disease. The verse shows that the ritual could be completed with either a turtledove or a young pigeon, depending on what the person could get, making the requirement accessible to people of different means.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 14:30

  • "Offer" (עָשָׂה, ʿasah): This word often means "to do" or "to make," but here it refers to performing the act of sacrifice. It highlights that the person must actively bring and present the bird as part of the ritual.
  • "Turtledoves" (תֹּר, tor) and "young pigeons" (בֶּן־יוֹנָה, ben-yonah): These words specify the types of birds allowed. The use of either bird shows flexibility in the law, accommodating what the person can actually obtain.
  • "Get" (יָד, yad; נָשָׂא, nasa): The phrase involves both the ability to obtain and what is within the person's reach or means. It emphasizes that the ritual is not meant to be a burden, but something everyone can fulfill.

Why Leviticus 14:30 matters

  • Leviticus 14:30 clarifies that the ritual for cleansing is not rigid or exclusive, but allows for different economic situations by permitting either turtledoves or young pigeons.
  • The verse connects to the broader passage, which outlines a detailed process for restoring someone to the community after illness, showing concern for both ritual purity and social inclusion.
  • This flexibility in the law demonstrates a principle of compassion and practicality within the ancient Israelite system, ensuring that no one is excluded from restoration because of poverty.

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 12:6 And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest:
  • 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 14:22 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.
  • 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.

“get” Hebrew H5381 · used in 47 verses

  • Genesis 31:25 Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead.
  • Leviticus 27:8 But if he be poorer than thy estimation, then he shall present himself before the priest, and the priest shall value him; according to his ability that vowed shall the priest value him.
  • Psalms 7:5 Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.

“as” Hebrew H834 · used in 105 verses

  • Genesis 1:7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
  • Genesis 31:49 And Mizpah; for he said, The LORD watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another.
  • Deuteronomy 12:2 Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: