And on the eighth day he shall take to him two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, and come before the LORD unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and give them unto the priest:

LEVITICUS 15:14KJV
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Leviticus 15:14 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 15:14 mean?

Leviticus 15:14 gives instructions for a person who has been healed from a bodily discharge: on the eighth day after being cleansed, he must bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons to the entrance of the tabernacle and give them to the priest as part of a ritual before the LORD. This verse outlines a specific step in the process of ritual purification in ancient Israel.

In this context, God is speaking to Moses and Aaron, giving them laws for the Israelites about bodily discharges and how to become ritually clean again. The verse describes the concrete action required after a period of uncleanness: the person must wait seven days, then on the eighth day bring birds as an offering to the priest at the tabernacle entrance, marking the completion of the purification process.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 15:14

  • "eighth" (שְּׁמִינִי, shemini): This word marks the specific timing—on the eighth day after the discharge stops, not before. The number eight often signals a new beginning in the Hebrew Bible.
  • "turtledoves" (תֹּרִים, torim) and "young pigeons" (בְּנֵי יוֹנָה, benei yonah): These birds were commonly used for offerings, especially by those who could not afford larger animals. The use of either option shows flexibility for people of different means.
  • "door" (פֶּתַח, petach) and "tabernacle" (אֹהֶל, ohel): The person must come to the entrance of the tabernacle, not just anywhere, highlighting the importance of approaching God's dwelling place for restoration to the community.

Why Leviticus 15:14 matters

  • This verse clarifies that ritual impurity was not permanent; there was a clear, accessible path for anyone to return to full participation in community and worship.
  • The requirement to bring birds, rather than more expensive animals, shows consideration for economic differences among the people.
  • Leviticus 15:14 connects to the wider passage by showing that ritual purity involved both personal responsibility (waiting, washing) and community action (coming to the priest at the tabernacle).

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.

“eighth” Hebrew H8066 · used in 27 verses

  • Exodus 22:30 Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen, and with thy sheep: seven days it shall be with his dam; on the eighth day thou shalt give it me.
  • Leviticus 23:39 Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath.
  • 1 Chronicles 12:12 Johanan the eighth, Elzabad the ninth,

“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.