Leviticus 1:14 kjv
And if the burnt sacrifice for his offering to the LORD be of fowls, then he shall bring his offering of turtledoves, or of young pigeons.
Leviticus 1:14 nkjv
'And if the burnt sacrifice of his offering to the LORD is of birds, then he shall bring his offering of turtledoves or young pigeons.
Leviticus 1:14 niv
"?'If the offering to the LORD is a burnt offering of birds, you are to offer a dove or a young pigeon.
Leviticus 1:14 esv
"If his offering to the LORD is a burnt offering of birds, then he shall bring his offering of turtledoves or pigeons.
Leviticus 1:14 nlt
"If you present a bird as a burnt offering to the LORD, choose either a turtledove or a young pigeon.
Leviticus 1 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lev 5:7 | If he is not able to bring a lamb... then he shall bring... two turtledoves | Poor person's sin offering (birds allowed) |
| Lev 5:11 | But if he is not able to bring two turtledoves... | Further provision for the extremely poor |
| Lev 12:8 | And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtledoves | Purification after childbirth (poor's provision) |
| Lk 2:22-24 | When the days of her purification... they brought him to Jerusalem... two turtledoves | Jesus' humble dedication, parents use this law |
| Num 6:10 | And he shall bring two turtledoves... | Nazirite's purification after defilement |
| Lev 1:3-9 | If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd... | Context of the bull burnt offering |
| Lev 1:10-13 | If his offering be of the flocks... | Context of the sheep/goat burnt offering |
| Lev 1:15-17 | The priest shall bring it to the altar... | Procedure for bird burnt offerings |
| Gen 15:9 | Take me a heifer of three years old... and a turtledove, and a young pigeon | Abraham's covenant sacrifice included these birds |
| Heb 10:4 | For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. | Limitations of animal sacrifice |
| Heb 10:10 | By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ | Christ's perfect and final sacrifice |
| Rom 12:1 | Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God | NT spiritual sacrifice (self-dedication) |
| 2 Cor 8:12 | For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath | God accepts based on ability, not lack |
| Deut 15:7-8 | You shall not harden your heart, nor shut your hand from your poor brother | Principle of care for the poor |
| Psa 68:10 | You, O God, did prepare of your goodness for the poor | God's benevolent provision for the poor |
| Mal 1:8 | If you offer the blind for sacrifice... is it not evil? | Emphasizes integrity of the offering (even small) |
| 2 Sam 24:24 | Neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing. | Value in the cost of sacrifice, however small |
| Phil 4:18 | An odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God | NT perspective of acceptable spiritual gifts |
| Psa 40:6-8 | Sacrifice and offering you did not desire... then said I, Lo, I come. | God desires obedience more than ritual |
| Hos 6:6 | For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. | Divine preference for mercy and knowledge |
| Mic 6:6-8 | He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you | Beyond offerings to justice, mercy, humility |
| Prov 15:8 | The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: but the prayer of the upright is His delight. | Importance of heart condition in offering |
Leviticus 1 verses
Leviticus 1 14 Meaning
Leviticus 1:14 provides a crucial provision within the sacrificial system for the burnt offering (ʻolah). It specifies that if a worshipper cannot afford a larger animal (like a bull, sheep, or goat), they may present a bird offering, specifically turtledoves or young pigeons, as their complete burnt offering to the Lord. This demonstrates God's gracious provision, making atonement and worship accessible to all, regardless of their economic standing, ensuring that no Israelite was excluded from drawing near to Him through sacrifice. The offering, though humble in cost, was equally acceptable and valuable in the eyes of God when offered sincerely.
Leviticus 1 14 Context
(p)Leviticus Chapter 1 outlines the laws for the burnt offering (olah), which was a voluntary act of worship symbolizing complete devotion, atonement for general sin, and seeking favor with God. This offering was unique in that the entire animal, except for the hide given to the priest, was consumed on the altar, ascending to God as a pleasing aroma. The chapter meticulously details the procedures based on the type of animal offered. The structure progresses from the most costly offering (a bull, Lev 1:3-9) to a less expensive one (a sheep or goat, Lev 1:10-13), culminating in the most affordable option, the bird offering, in verse 14. This systematic presentation reveals God's meticulous care for accessibility within the covenant community. Historically, various peoples in the ancient Near East practiced animal sacrifices. However, Israel's sacrificial system, governed by precise divine instructions, set it apart. It was intrinsically linked to their covenant relationship with Yahweh, emphasized holiness, addressed sin, and profoundly illustrated God's character as both demanding of justice and abounding in mercy, providing a means for all people to approach Him. The cultural context demonstrates that even simple animal offerings held deep religious significance and were integral to maintaining purity and covenant fidelity.
Leviticus 1 14 Word analysis
(ul)
- And if (וְאִם - və'im): "And if" or "But if." This conjunction introduces a conditional clause, specifically a provision for an alternative. It underscores God's flexibility and grace, accommodating diverse socio-economic statuses within the covenant community.
- the burnt offering (עֹלָה - ʻolah): Meaning "what goes up," derived from the verb
alah(to ascend). This term refers to a specific type of sacrifice entirely consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing complete dedication of the worshipper and comprehensive atonement. Its total consumption implied absolute surrender to God. - for his oblation (קָרְבָּן - qorban): "Offering," "gift." From the root
qarab, meaning "to draw near" or "to present." This broader term for offerings emphasizes the worshipper's action of bringing something to God to establish proximity and relationship. - to the Lord (לַיהוָה - laYHVH): Refers to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. It designates the sole, holy recipient of the sacrifice, distinguishing Israelite worship from pagan practices and asserting the exclusive nature of their devotion.
- shall be of fowls (מִן הָעוֹף - min haʻoph): "from the bird/fowl."
ʻophis a general term for birds. This phrase introduces the category of animal, specifying the shift to avian offerings for the burnt sacrifice. - then he shall bring his offering (וְהִקְרִיב - vəhiqriv): Lit. "he shall cause [it] to draw near." This emphasizes the active role of the worshipper in personally presenting the sacrifice to the priest at the altar.
- of turtledoves (מִן הַתֹּרִים - min haTToriym): "from the turtledoves." Turtledoves were migratory birds, commonly found in Israel, easily accessible, and known for their gentle nature, making them suitable for sacrificial purposes.
- or of young pigeons (אוֹ בְּנֵי הַיּוֹנָה - o bəne haYYonah): Lit. "or sons of the dove/pigeon."
Yonahrefers to pigeons, including wild rock doves and domestic varieties. "Young" specifies an easily acquired and compliant offering. Both turtledoves and young pigeons were permissible as "clean" birds.(ul) - Words-Group: "the burnt offering... of fowls": This phrase defines the specific type of sacrifice—a
olah(burnt offering)— and immediately introduces the category of animal permitted, contrasting it with the larger animals previously mentioned in the chapter. It highlights the divine accommodation in the Law. - Words-Group: "of turtledoves, or of young pigeons": These specific designations exclude all other types of birds (e.g., unclean birds, predatory birds), ensuring that even in providing an affordable option, God's standards of purity and acceptability for the sacrifice are maintained precisely.
Leviticus 1 14 Bonus section
(p)
- The inclusion of bird offerings underscores God's meticulous care for all members of the covenant community, not just the wealthy. This aligns with other provisions for the poor in the Law, such as gleaning rights (Lev 19:9-10).
- The detailed instructions for sacrificing birds in verses 15-17 (e.g., priest wringing off head, cleaning crop, burning whole) indicate that even the most modest offering was to be treated with utmost reverence and specific ritual purity, maintaining the holiness of the sacred act.
- This allowance prefigures the principle seen in the New Testament that God values faith and a willing heart above the magnitude of material contributions (e.g., the widow's mite in Mark 12:41-44).
- The selection of specific clean birds (turtledoves and pigeons) further emphasizes divine distinction from common or unclean birds, upholding ritual purity even in accessibility.
Leviticus 1 14 Commentary
(p)Leviticus 1:14 stands as a profound testament to God's equitable and compassionate nature within the Israelite sacrificial system. By instituting an affordable bird offering as an alternative to costlier livestock for the burnt offering, God ensured that no Israelite was excluded from fully participating in national worship and personal atonement due to economic constraints. This demonstrates that the intrinsic value of an offering was not in its material cost, but in the sincerity of the heart behind it and the obedience to God's prescribed will. The smallest offering, when offered with devotion according to divine instruction, held the same spiritual efficacy and was equally pleasing to God as the largest and most expensive. This provision teaches the eternal principle that God desires genuine devotion and participation from all His people, irrespective of their worldly means, creating a pathway for universal access to divine grace and reconciliation.