Leviticus 14:31 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 14:31 mean?

Leviticus 14:31 explains that a person being cleansed from a skin disease could bring whatever offerings he could afford—one for a sin offering, one for a burnt offering, along with a grain offering—and the priest would use these to make atonement before the LORD. This allowed even those with limited means to complete the ritual for purification.

In this passage, God is giving Moses instructions for the priests about how to help someone who had been healed from a skin disease (often called "leprosy" in older translations). The focus is on making sure that everyone, regardless of wealth, could participate in the cleansing ritual. The priest acts on behalf of the person to restore them to the community and to right relationship with God.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 14:31

• הֵנִיף (get, H5381): This word is often understood as "to offer" or "to present." Here, it highlights that the person brings what he is able to obtain, emphasizing flexibility for the poor.
• חַטָּאת (offering, H2403): This is the "sin offering," a sacrifice for purification from ritual impurity, not necessarily a moral failing.
• עֹלָה (offering, H5930): This is the "burnt offering," a sacrifice that is completely burned, symbolizing dedication to God.
• מִנְחָה (offering, H4503): This refers to the "grain offering" or "meat offering," which was typically a gift of flour or grain, not animal flesh.
• כִּפֶּר (atonement, H3722): This word means "to make atonement" or "to cover," showing that the ritual restores the person to a right standing before God.
• טָהֵר (cleansed, H2891): This means "to be clean" or "to be purified," focusing on ritual purity rather than physical healing.

Why Leviticus 14:31 matters

• Leviticus 14:31 clarifies that God's law made room for people of all economic backgrounds to be restored, not just the wealthy, by allowing less expensive offerings.
• The verse emphasizes the role of the priest as a mediator, showing that ritual purity and re-entry into the community were not just personal matters but involved the whole faith community.
• This instruction fits into a larger section about purity and restoration, showing that God's concern extended beyond physical healing to full social and spiritual restoration.