And if he be not able to bring a lamb, then he shall bring for his trespass, which he hath committed, two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, unto the LORD; one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering.

LEVITICUS 5:7KJV
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Leviticus 5:7 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 5:7 mean?

Leviticus 5:7 explains that if a person cannot afford to bring a lamb as an offering for a sin they have committed, they are allowed to bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons to the LORD instead—one bird for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering. This verse shows that God made a way for people with fewer resources to participate in the required offerings.

In this part of Leviticus, God is giving instructions to Moses for the Israelites about what to do when someone has sinned and needs to make things right. The verse specifically addresses those who are not able (because of poverty) to bring the more expensive offering of a lamb. By allowing less costly birds, the law makes it possible for everyone, regardless of wealth, to seek forgiveness and restore their relationship with God.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 5:7

  • "able" (דַּי, day): This word means "sufficient" or "enough." The verse uses it to set a practical limit—if someone does not have enough resources, they are not required to bring a lamb.
  • "trespass" (אָשָׁם, asham): This word refers to a specific kind of guilt or offense. It highlights that the offering is for a real wrong that needs to be addressed.
  • "sin offering" (חַטָּאת, chatat) and "burnt offering" (עֹלָה, olah): These are two different types of sacrifices. The sin offering deals with the guilt of sin, while the burnt offering is about dedication and restoring relationship with God. The verse requires both, even for those bringing birds.

Why Leviticus 5:7 matters

  • Leviticus 5:7 clarifies that God's instructions made room for people of all economic backgrounds, showing concern for fairness and accessibility in worship.
  • The verse highlights that forgiveness and right standing with God were not only for the wealthy but were available to everyone who sincerely sought it.
  • This detail connects to the larger theme in Leviticus of holiness and restoration, emphasizing that God provides practical ways for people to deal with their failures and return to Him.

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 12:8 And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.
  • 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.

“for” Hebrew H854 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 4:1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD.
  • Genesis 19:13 For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it.
  • Exodus 39:3 And they did beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work.

“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 14:30 And he shall offer the one of the turtledoves, or of the young pigeons, such as he can get;
  • 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.

“able” Hebrew H1767 · used in 35 verses

  • Exodus 36:5 And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the LORD commanded to make.
  • 1 Kings 14:28 And it was so, when the king went into the house of the LORD, that the guard bare them, and brought them back into the guard chamber.
  • Isaiah 40:16 And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering.