King James Version

What Does Leviticus 15:14 Mean?

Leviticus 15:14 in the King James Version says “And on the eighth day he shall take to him two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, and come before the LORD unto the door... — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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 · KJV


Context

12

And the vessel of earth, that he toucheth which hath the issue, shall be broken: and every vessel of wood shall be rinsed in water.

13

And when he that hath an issue is cleansed of his issue; then he shall number to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean.

14

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:

15

And the priest shall offer them, the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD for his issue.

16

And if any man's seed of copulation go out from him, then he shall wash all his flesh in water, and be unclean until the even.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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:

This verse falls within the section on Bodily Discharges. Laws concerning various bodily discharges, emphasizing that approaching God's holy presence requires ritual purity.

The Aaronic priesthood mediated between God and Israel, offering sacrifices and maintaining the tabernacle. This prefigured Christ's superior priesthood after the order of Melchizedek.
The New Testament reveals that Christ's sacrifice accomplishes what the Levitical system could only symbolize—complete forgiveness and restoration of relationship with God.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Laws concerning various bodily discharges, emphasizing that approaching God's holy presence requires ritual purity. 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. The Israelite dietary laws in Leviticus 11 have no exact parallel in surrounding cultures, though some ancient cultures had food taboos, suggesting unique revelation rather than borrowed customs.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ's superior priesthood, prefigured in this verse, assure you of access to God and effective intercession?
  2. In what practical ways should this verse influence your church life, family relationships, or personal integrity?
  3. What practical steps can you take this week to apply the principles taught in this verse?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וּבַיּ֣וֹם1 of 20

day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַשְּׁמִינִ֗י2 of 20

And on the eighth

H8066

eight

יִֽקַּֽח3 of 20

he shall take

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

לוֹ֙4 of 20
H0
שְׁנֵ֖י5 of 20

or two

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

תֹרִ֔ים6 of 20

turtledoves

H8449

a ring-dove, often (figuratively) as a term of endearment

א֥וֹ7 of 20
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

שְׁנֵ֖י8 of 20

or two

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

בְּנֵ֣י9 of 20

young

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יוֹנָ֑ה10 of 20

pigeons

H3123

a dove (apparently from the warmth of their mating)

וּבָ֣א׀11 of 20

and come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

לִפְנֵ֣י12 of 20

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָ֗ה13 of 20

the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶל14 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

פֶּ֙תַח֙15 of 20

unto the door

H6607

an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way

אֹ֣הֶל16 of 20

of the tabernacle

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

מוֹעֵ֔ד17 of 20

of the congregation

H4150

properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for

וּנְתָנָ֖ם18 of 20

and give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֶל19 of 20
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַכֹּהֵֽן׃20 of 20

them unto the priest

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)


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 15:14 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 15:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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