King James Version

What Does Leviticus 15:29 Mean?

Leviticus 15:29 in the King James Version says “And on the eighth day she shall take unto her two turtles, or two young pigeons, and bring them unto the priest, to the ...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And on the eighth day she shall take unto her two turtles, or two young pigeons, and bring them unto the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.”

Leviticus 15:29 · KJV

Context

27

And whosoever toucheth those things shall be unclean, and shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.

28

But if she be cleansed of her issue, then she shall number to herself seven days, and after that she shall be clean.

29

And on the eighth day she shall take unto her two turtles, or two young pigeons, and bring them unto the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

30

And the priest shall offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for her before the LORD for the issue of her uncleanness.

31

Thus shall ye separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness; that they die not in their uncleanness, when they defile my tabernacle that is among them.

Read Leviticus 15 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And on the eighth day she shall take unto her two turtles, or two young pigeons, and bring them unto the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

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.
What Leviticus portrayed through types and shadows, Christ fulfilled in reality through His incarnation, perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection.

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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. 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. How does Christ's superior priesthood, prefigured in this verse, assure you of access to God and effective intercession?
  2. What practical steps can you take this week to apply the principles taught in this verse?
  3. How does this verse point to Christ, and how does that deepen your faith and gratitude?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וּבַיּ֣וֹם1 of 18

“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 18

“And on the eighth”

H8066

eight

תִּֽקַּֽח3 of 18

“she shall take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

לָהּ֙4 of 18
H0
שְׁנֵ֖י5 of 18

“or two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

תֹרִ֔ים6 of 18

“turtles”

H8449

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

א֥וֹ7 of 18
H176

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

שְׁנֵ֖י8 of 18

“or two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

בְּנֵ֣י9 of 18

“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 18

“pigeons”

H3123

a dove (apparently from the warmth of their mating)

וְהֵֽבִיאָ֤ה11 of 18

“and bring”

H935

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

אוֹתָם֙12 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֶל13 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַכֹּהֵ֔ן14 of 18

“them unto the priest”

H3548

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

אֶל15 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

פֶּ֖תַח16 of 18

“to the door”

H6607

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

אֹ֥הֶל17 of 18

“of the tabernacle”

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

מוֹעֵֽד׃18 of 18

“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

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 15:29 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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