Leviticus 14 21

Leviticus 14:21 kjv

And if he be poor, and cannot get so much; then he shall take one lamb for a trespass offering to be waved, to make an atonement for him, and one tenth deal of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering, and a log of oil;

Leviticus 14:21 nkjv

"But if he is poor and cannot afford it, then he shall take one male lamb as a trespass offering to be waved, to make atonement for him, one-tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering, a log of oil,

Leviticus 14:21 niv

"If, however, they are poor and cannot afford these, they must take one male lamb as a guilt offering to be waved to make atonement for them, together with a tenth of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with olive oil for a grain offering, a log of oil,

Leviticus 14:21 esv

"But if he is poor and cannot afford so much, then he shall take one male lamb for a guilt offering to be waved, to make atonement for him, and a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering, and a log of oil;

Leviticus 14:21 nlt

"But anyone who is too poor and cannot afford these offerings may bring one male lamb for a guilt offering, to be lifted up as a special offering for purification. The person must also bring two quarts of choice flour moistened with olive oil for the grain offering and a cup of olive oil.

Leviticus 14 verses

Leviticus 14 21 Meaning

Leviticus 14:21 details a compassionate concession for a person who is ceremonially cleansed from leprosy (Tzaraat) but is poor and cannot afford the standard, more costly offerings. This verse stipulates a reduced offering requirement: instead of multiple lambs, he is to bring one lamb for a trespass offering (to make atonement) and substitute the other animal offerings with a smaller quantity of fine flour for a grain offering and a modest log of oil. This divine provision ensures that even those with limited means can complete their purification ritual and be fully restored to the community and to worship God. It highlights God's mercy, equity, and the accessibility of atonement.

Leviticus 14 21 Context

Leviticus Chapters 13 and 14 deal comprehensively with the diagnosis, isolation, and ceremonial purification of those afflicted with "Tzaraat," a skin condition often translated as "leprosy." This condition rendered individuals ritually unclean and necessitated their separation from the community. Chapter 14 outlines the elaborate two-part ritual for cleansing and reintegrating a recovered person, involving two birds, various sacrifices, and specific anointing with oil and blood. Verses 10-20 detail the standard offerings for cleansing: two male lambs, one ewe lamb, fine flour, and oil. Verse 21, however, immediately follows, demonstrating God's remarkable compassion by making a significant provision for the poor. It shows that despite the precise and demanding nature of the ritual law, divine mercy always made room for the genuinely impoverished, ensuring that financial status did not prevent anyone from being ritually purified and restored.

Leviticus 14 21 Word analysis

• And if he be poor, (וְאִם־דַּל הוא, ve’im-dal hu):

  • דַּל (dal): Means "weak," "feeble," "poor," or "thin." It refers to someone experiencing economic hardship, unable to afford the prescribed full offerings. This phrase initiates the compassionate concession, emphasizing God's understanding of human socio-economic limitations.

• and cannot get so much; (וְלֹא־תַגִּ֥יד יָד֖וֹ, ve’lo-tagid yado):

  • Literally, "and his hand cannot reach" or "his hand cannot obtain enough." This vivid Hebrew idiom clearly expresses a genuine inability due to lack of resources, rather than a lack of willingness or devotion. It underlines the necessity for divine leniency.

• then he shall take (וְלָקַ֥ח, ve’lakach): A simple verb indicating the prescribed action, a direct command to the cleansed leper.

• one lamb (כֶּ֥בֶשׂ אֶחָ֖ד, keves echad):

  • כֶּבֶשׂ (keves): A young lamb, specifically a male. The standard offering required two such lambs for different sacrifices; here, only one is specified for the poor. This is a significant reduction.

• for a trespass offering (לְאָשָׁם, le’asham):

  • אָשָׁם (asham): The "guilt offering" or "trespass offering." This specific offering primarily dealt with cases where a wrong was committed, causing spiritual defilement or a wrong against God's holy things, often requiring restitution. In the context of leprosy, it likely covered the uncleanness and possible desecration resulting from the prolonged ritual impurity. Its continued requirement underscores its crucial role in reconciliation and cleansing from the deep impact of the condition.

• to be waved, (לִתְנוּפָ֑ה, litnufah):

  • תְּנוּפָה (tenuphah): "Wave offering." This ritual movement, where the offering was waved before the Lord by the priest, symbolized dedicating the item to God and receiving it back from Him as consecrated. It visually represented the offering's acceptance by God and His blessing on the cleansed individual.

• to make an atonement for him, (לְכַפֵּ֣ר עָלָיו, le’chapper ‘alav):

  • כָּפַר (kaphar): "To cover," "to make atonement," "to expiate." This is the ultimate purpose of the sacrifice. It signifies a covering of sin or impurity, allowing the individual to be reconciled with God and the community. Even with the reduced offerings, the critical act of atonement remains intact.

• and one tenth deal of fine flour (וַעֲשִׂירִ֥ית סֹ֛לֶת אֶחָ֥ת, va’asiriyt solet echath):

  • עֲשִׂירִית (asiriyt): "A tenth part." This refers to an omer, a standard unit of measure for flour, indicating a specific, though smaller, quantity.
  • סֹ֣לֶת (solet): "Fine flour," the highest quality, ground from the best wheat. Even in concession, God requires quality. This acts as a substitute for an animal, particularly for the grain (meat) offering portion.

• mingled with oil (בְּלוּלָ֖ה בַּשֶּׁ֑מֶן, belulah ba’shemen): Standard for grain offerings, signifying sanctification or completeness. Oil also provided sustenance and richness.

• for a meat offering, (לְמִנְחָ֔ה, le’minchah):

  • מִנְחָה (minchah): The "grain offering" (often translated "meat offering" in KJV), made from flour and oil, usually without an animal sacrifice. It was an offering of thanksgiving and dedication, acknowledging God's provision.

• and a log of oil. (וְלֹ֥ג שָׁמֶן, ve’log shamen):

  • לֹג (log): A very small liquid measure, approximately 0.54 liters (about half a quart).
  • שֶׁמֶן (shamen): "Oil," likely olive oil, used in the purification ritual for anointing (applied to the leper's ear, thumb, and toe) as a symbol of purification and divine blessing or the Spirit. The very small quantity further underscores the allowance made for the poor.

Words-group Analysis:

• "And if he be poor, and cannot get so much": This foundational phrase establishes God's profound sensitivity to socioeconomic inequality. It isn't a punitive measure but a gracious accommodation, demonstrating that ritual purity and access to God are not restricted by wealth, reflecting a divine concern for justice and equality.

• "then he shall take one lamb for a trespass offering... to make an atonement for him": Despite the reduced animal sacrifice, the trespass offering is maintained. This specific offering deals with restoring what was due, atoning for defilement and any unwitting offenses tied to the disease, underscoring that while the outward scale of sacrifice changes, the core theological act of atonement is uncompromised and essential. The wave offering signifies a presentation and re-acceptance, indicating a renewed covenant relationship.

• "and one tenth deal of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering, and a log of oil.": This outlines the substitutions for the typical sin and burnt offerings. The "fine flour" shows that even for the poor, God expects offerings of the best quality from what one possesses, highlighting the principle of giving from the heart. The grain offering represents daily sustenance and acknowledgment of divine provision, while the distinct "log of oil" signifies a small but significant quantity for the anointing rituals, essential for complete purification and restoration to divine fellowship and the community.

Leviticus 14 21 Bonus section

The specific inclusion of "fine flour" (סֹלֶת) in the poor man's offering, even when animal sacrifices are reduced, underscores that quality and intent are highly valued by God. It wasn't just any flour, but the best. This implies that while the quantity might be diminished out of necessity, the standard of devotion and the effort to give one's best remain paramount. This aligns with New Testament teaching that God accepts what one has to give willingly (2 Cor 8:12) and that even a small gift from the heart, like the widow's mite (Mk 12:41-44), holds immense value in God's eyes. This verse, therefore, implicitly teaches about true giving and worship, setting a precedent that the value of an offering is not solely in its material worth but in the heart of the giver and its adherence to divine instruction. The purification of the leper symbolized being cleansed from the profound impurity of sin; just as physical barriers were overcome for the poor to be clean, so too, spiritual poverty (our sinfulness) is overcome by God's provision for all.

Leviticus 14 21 Commentary

Leviticus 14:21 profoundly illustrates God's mercy and equity within the exacting demands of the Mosaic Law. Far from being a rigid, burdensome code, the Law contained provisions for those facing genuine economic hardship, ensuring that poverty would not exclude a person from achieving ritual purity and rejoining the holy community. The distinction made for the "poor" who "cannot get so much" is not a bypass of the law but an intentional adaptation by God, affirming that His covenant relationship extends to all His people, regardless of their financial status. The reduction in animals to one lamb (for the trespass offering, crucial for specific atonement) while substituting others with fine flour and a log of oil, demonstrates divine wisdom. It balances the holiness required for purification with practical compassion, emphasizing that God values a contrite spirit and willing heart more than the sheer volume of material offerings. This prefigures the New Testament principle that God desires mercy over sacrifice, and that genuine devotion comes from the heart, irrespective of outward display or economic capability, culminating in Christ's single, perfect sacrifice for all, accessible to all, irrespective of status.