King James Version

What Does Leviticus 14:21 Mean?

Leviticus 14:21 in the King James Version says “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 a...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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; cannot: Heb. his hand reach not to be: Heb. for a waving”

Leviticus 14:21 · KJV

Context

19

And the priest shall offer the sin offering, and make an atonement for him that is to be cleansed from his uncleanness; and afterward he shall kill the burnt offering:

20

And the priest shall offer the burnt offering and the meat offering upon the altar: and the priest shall make an atonement for him, and he shall be clean.

21

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; cannot: Heb. his hand reach not to be: Heb. for a waving

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.

23

And he shall bring them on the eighth day for his cleansing unto the priest, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, before the LORD.

Read Leviticus 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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;

This verse falls within the section on Cleansing from Skin Diseases. Elaborate cleansing ritual for healed lepers, involving birds, blood, and multiple offerings, symbolizing restoration.

The Hebrew word kaphar (כָּפַר) means 'to cover' or 'to make atonement.' The sacrificial system provided temporary covering for sin, pointing forward to Christ's perfect, once-for-all sacrifice. The five main offerings (burnt, grain, peace, sin, and guilt) addressed different aspects of relationship with God, all fulfilled in Christ's comprehensive sacrifice.
Every sacrifice and ritual in Leviticus points forward to Jesus Christ, who fulfills the entire sacrificial system as both perfect sacrifice and eternal high priest.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Elaborate cleansing ritual for healed lepers, involving birds, blood, and multiple offerings, symbolizing restoration. Chapters 11-15 address ritual purity, teaching Israel to distinguish clean from unclean. These laws served multiple purposes: promoting health, teaching spiritual lessons about sin's defilement, and separating Israel from pagan practices. Archaeological evidence shows Canaanite worship involved practices Israel's laws explicitly prohibited. Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. Ancient texts like the Code of Hammurabi show that law codes were common in the ancient Near East, but biblical law uniquely grounded ethics in God's character rather than merely social convention.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what ways does this verse deepen your appreciation for Christ's atoning sacrifice and the seriousness of sin?
  2. What does this verse teach about the costliness of true worship and dedication to God?
  3. How does this verse reveal God's character, and how should that revelation shape your relationship with Him?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וְאִם1 of 21
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

דַּ֣ל2 of 21

“And if he be poor”

H1800

properly, dangling, i.e., (by implication) weak or thin

ה֗וּא3 of 21
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וְאֵ֣ין4 of 21
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

יָדוֹ֮5 of 21

“and cannot get”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

מַשֶּׂגֶת֒6 of 21
H5381

to reach (literally or figuratively)

וְ֠לָקַח7 of 21

“so much then he shall take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

כֶּ֣בֶשׂ8 of 21

“lamb”

H3532

a ram (just old enough to butt)

אֶחָ֨ד9 of 21

“for him and one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

אָשָׁ֛ם10 of 21

“for a trespass offering”

H817

guilt; by implication, a fault; also a sin-offering

לִתְנוּפָ֖ה11 of 21

“to be waved”

H8573

a brandishing (in threat); by implication, tumult; specifically, the official undulation of sacrificial offerings

לְכַפֵּ֣ר12 of 21

“to make an atonement”

H3722

to cover (specifically with bitumen)

עָלָ֑יו13 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וְעִשָּׂר֨וֹן14 of 21

“tenth deal”

H6241

(fractional) a tenth part

סֹ֜לֶת15 of 21

“of fine flour”

H5560

flour (as chipped off)

אֶחָ֨ד16 of 21

“for him and one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

בָּל֥וּל17 of 21

“mingled”

H1101

to overflow (specifically with oil.); by implication, to mix; to fodder

שָֽׁמֶן׃18 of 21

“of oil”

H8081

grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness

לְמִנְחָ֖ה19 of 21

“for a meat offering”

H4503

a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)

וְלֹ֥ג20 of 21

“and a log”

H3849

a log or measure for liquids

שָֽׁמֶן׃21 of 21

“of oil”

H8081

grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Leviticus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Leviticus 14:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Leviticus 14:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 5:7Leviticus 12:8Proverbs 17:5Job 34:191 Samuel 2:8Leviticus 5:11

Test Your Knowledge

Leviticus 14 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterLeviticus Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Leviticus 14 with CommentaryAll Leviticus ChaptersComplete Leviticus QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes