Leviticus 15 14

Leviticus 15:14 kjv

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 15:14 nkjv

On the eighth day he shall take for himself two turtledoves or two young pigeons, and come before the LORD, to the door of the tabernacle of meeting, and give them to the priest.

Leviticus 15:14 niv

On the eighth day he must take two doves or two young pigeons and come before the LORD to the entrance to the tent of meeting and give them to the priest.

Leviticus 15:14 esv

And on the eighth day he shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons and come before the LORD to the entrance of the tent of meeting and give them to the priest.

Leviticus 15:14 nlt

On the eighth day he must get two turtledoves or two young pigeons and come before the LORD at the entrance of the Tabernacle and give his offerings to the priest.

Leviticus 15 verses

Leviticus 15 14 Meaning

Leviticus 15:14 specifies a crucial step in the purification ritual for a man who has recovered from a chronic or unusual bodily discharge. After confirming the cessation of his discharge and observing seven clean days, on the eighth day, he is instructed to bring two modest birds – either turtledoves or young pigeons – to the Tent of Meeting's entrance. These animals are then to be presented to the priest, who will perform the necessary sacrificial rites, ensuring the man's full ritual cleanness and restoring his ability to engage with the community and the sacred presence of the LORD. This detail highlights God's accessibility and provision for all people, regardless of their financial status, to achieve purity and reconciliation.

Leviticus 15 14 Context

Leviticus chapter 15 details various ritual impurities stemming from bodily discharges, establishing precise regulations for Israel's conduct in relation to a holy God and the Tabernacle. This chapter distinguishes between minor impurities cleansed by washing and more serious, chronic conditions (like the one addressed in this verse) requiring specific timeframes, observations, and prescribed sacrifices. Leviticus 15:14 specifically outlines the penultimate step for a man who had an ongoing, perhaps chronic, discharge. Following a mandatory seven-day clean period, the offerings on the eighth day served to formally reconcile him and remove his ritual uncleanness, enabling him to rejoin the clean community and access the sacred spaces. Historically, these laws enforced strict ritual purity for a people dwelling in God's immediate presence. They underscored Yahweh's absolute holiness, trained the Israelites in reverence, distinguished their worship practices from pagan fertility cults that often incorporated bodily fluids in their rites, and provided a structured means for individuals to be restored to communion.

Leviticus 15 14 Word analysis

• And on the eighth day (וּבַיּוֹם֙ הַשְּׁמִינִ֔י - u-vay-yom ha-sh'mini):
  • This phrase indicates a specific, divine timeline for completion. The "eighth day" commonly symbolizes a new beginning or spiritual regeneration (e.g., circumcision). It marks a distinct break from impurity and entrance into a new, cleansed state.
• he shall take for himself (יִקַּח־ל֣וֹ - yiq-qaḥ-lō):
  • Emphasizes the personal responsibility of the individual in initiating his own purification process. It is an active step he must undertake.
• two turtledoves (שְׁתֵּ֣י תֹרִ֗ים - sh'tē to-rīm) or two young pigeons (א֛וֹ שְׁנֵ֥י בְּנֵי־יוֹנָ֖ה - ʾō sh'nēy b'nēy yō-nāh):
  • "two": Refers to the two distinct offerings required—one for sin and one for burnt offering.
  • "turtledoves or young pigeons": These birds were affordable and accessible to all socioeconomic classes. This highlights God's grace and provision, ensuring that purity and reconciliation were available to everyone, rich or poor, reinforcing that no one was excluded from returning to a clean state before God due to lack of means.
• and come before the LORD (וּבָ֣א לִפְנֵֽי־יְהוָ֑ה - u-vā lif-nēy Yah-weh):
  • Signifies a deliberate approach to the divine presence. The ultimate recipient of the offering and the purveyor of cleanness is YHWH Himself, whose holy standards necessitate this process.
• to the entrance of the tent of meeting (אֶל־פֶּ֙תַח֙ אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֔ד - el-pe-taḥ o-hel mō-ʿēd):
  • "entrance" (פֶּתַח - petaḥ): The specific boundary and access point to the sacred Tabernacle. All holy sacrifices and offerings were to be performed at this designated place.
  • "Tent of Meeting" (אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֔ד - Ohel Mo'ed): The mobile sanctuary where God resided among Israel. Coming to its threshold symbolized seeking re-entry into God's holy communion.
• and give them to the priest (וּנְתָנָ֥ם אֶל־הַכֹּהֵֽן׃ - u-n'tā-nām el-hak-kō-hēn):
  • "give them": The transfer of the offerings.
  • "to the priest" (הַכֹּהֵֽן - ha-kohēn): The priest served as the divinely appointed mediator, performing the specific rituals for atonement and reconciliation. His role was crucial for formalizing the man's return to ritual purity.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "On the eighth day he shall take for himself...and come before the LORD": This sequence highlights individual responsibility combined with adherence to divine timing. The cleansed person proactively brings the prescribed offering, physically manifesting his desire for reconciliation and directly approaching God at His sacred dwelling, signaling a full re-engagement with the divine covenant.
• "two turtledoves or two young pigeons...to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting": The specified, modest avian offering speaks to the divine principle of accessibility and equity in purification. The specific location—the Tabernacle entrance—reinforces the sanctity of God's presence and the proper protocol for approaching a Holy God, marking a clear distinction between common and sacred space.
• "and give them to the priest": This action finalizes the preparation of the offering and initiates the sacrificial act. It underscores the vital role of the divinely ordained priestly mediation, without which atonement and complete purification in the Old Covenant could not be formally achieved.

Leviticus 15 14 Bonus section

The Levitical system, exemplified by this verse, teaches the Israelites the pervasive nature of defilement in a fallen world, whether from sin or even natural bodily functions, and the constant need for God's provision for cleansing. The two specific birds represented different aspects of this cleansing: one was a sin offering (Heb. ḥaṭṭāʾt), providing atonement for the ritual impurity incurred, effectively removing the barrier to the sacred. The other was a burnt offering (Heb. ʿōlāh), signifying complete surrender, dedication, and acceptable worship. This dual offering emphasized both removal of blemish and renewed consecration to God. The Old Testament purity laws were not moral judgments but ritual states; they constantly reminded Israel that to dwell with a holy God, they needed continuous sanctification. These laws served as an inescapable visual aid, constantly directing Israel's attention to the deep need for a perfect atonement that would eventually be provided through Christ, who truly cleansed not just the flesh, but the conscience (Heb 9:13-14).

Leviticus 15 14 Commentary

Leviticus 15:14 offers a concise yet profound insight into the purity codes governing ancient Israel, particularly concerning recovery from severe bodily discharges. The provision for offerings "on the eighth day" after clean days implies a period of confirmed healing and then a transition to a new spiritual state of cleanness, much like new life following circumcision on the eighth day. God's stipulation of "two turtledoves or two young pigeons" for the offering beautifully demonstrates divine mercy and universal accessibility. This was a gift accessible to the poor, showing that one's financial standing did not preclude reconciliation and re-entry into the holy community, nor did it hinder access to God's presence. Bringing these offerings "to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting" underscores the central role of the Tabernacle as the point of communion between God and Israel, and the necessity of proper approach to a Holy God. The role of "the priest" as recipient and officiator emphasizes the necessity of divine mediation in the atonement process. Ultimately, this detailed purification ritual, though tied to physical conditions, teaches profound spiritual truths: God's absolute holiness demands separation from defilement, yet His grace provides a means of restoration. These laws serve as a foundational foreshadowing of the ultimate, permanent purification and access to God through the sinless sacrifice and high priestly ministry of Jesus Christ.