Leviticus 15:14
On the eighth day he is to take two turtledoves or two young pigeons, come before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, and give them to the priest.
On the eighth day

The eighth day followed seven days of cleansing after the man had been healed from his discharge. Eight marks a new beginning after a complete period, as seen in circumcision on the eighth day and the inauguration of the priesthood. The restored worshiper did not return casually to ordinary life but came before God as one cleansed and renewed.

Lev 12:3 And on the eighth day the flesh of the boy’s foreskin……
Luk 2:21 When the eight days before His circumcision had passed,…
Gen 17:12 Generation after generation, every male must be circumcised…

he is to take two turtledoves or two young pigeons,

God provided an offering affordable for Israelites of limited means, ensuring that poverty did not exclude anyone from restoration to worship. One bird served as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering, addressing both the defilement requiring atonement and the worshiper’s renewed consecration to the LORD.

Num 6:10 On the eighth day he must bring two turtledoves…
Lev 12:8 But if she cannot afford a lamb, she shall bring…
Luk 2:24 and to offer the sacrifice specified in the Law of the Lord:…

come before the LORD

Cleansing from physical uncleanness was completed by drawing near to the holy God through the sacrifice He appointed. The worshiper acknowledged that restoration involved more than bodily recovery; fellowship with the LORD required atonement and obedient faith. Believers now draw near to God through Jesus Christ, whose sacrifice grants lasting cleansing and access to God.

Deu 16:16 Three times a year all your men appear before the LORD…
Exo 34:23 Three times a year all your males are to appear…
Psa 84:7 They go from strength to strength, until each…

at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting,

The entrance of the Tent of Meeting was the appointed boundary where Israel brought offerings to the LORD. God dwelt among His people, yet His holiness required that all who approached Him come according to His revealed way. The tabernacle pointed beyond itself to Christ, through whom God has made His dwelling known and opened the way to the Father.

Lev 1:3 If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd,…
Exo 29:42 For the generations to come, this burnt offering…
Lev 17:4 instead of bringing it to the entrance…

and give them to the priest.

The priest received and offered the birds on behalf of the cleansed man, making atonement before the LORD. His ministry demonstrated that reconciliation with God required a mediator and an acceptable sacrifice. The priestly service anticipated Jesus Christ, the perfect High Priest, who secured eternal redemption through His own blood.

Lev 5:8 He is to bring them to the priest, who shall present…
Num 6:11 And the priest is to offer one as a sin offering…
Lev 14:20 and offer it on the altar, with the grain offering…

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Man with a Discharge
This passage refers to a man who has been cleansed from a bodily discharge, a condition that rendered him ceremonially unclean according to Levitical law.

2. The LORD
The God of Israel, who established the laws and rituals for His people to follow, emphasizing holiness and purity.

3. The Tent of Meeting
Also known as the Tabernacle, this was the portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites, where sacrifices and offerings were made.

4. The Priest
A mediator between God and the people, responsible for performing the rituals and sacrifices as prescribed by the law.

5. Turtledoves or Young Pigeons
These birds were often used in sacrificial offerings, especially for those who could not afford larger animals, symbolizing purity and atonement.
Teaching Points
Holiness and Purity
The laws in Leviticus emphasize the importance of holiness and purity in the life of a believer. We are called to live lives that are set apart and pleasing to God.

Approach to God
The requirement to come before the LORD at the Tent of Meeting signifies the importance of approaching God with reverence and in accordance with His commands.

Provision for All
The allowance for turtledoves or pigeons shows God's provision for all people, regardless of their economic status, to participate in worship and atonement.

Symbolism of Sacrifice
The sacrificial system points to the need for atonement and foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who cleanses us from all sin.

Community and Responsibility
The role of the priest highlights the community's responsibility to support one another in maintaining purity and holiness.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the requirement for a sacrifice in Leviticus 15:14 reflect the seriousness of sin and impurity in the eyes of God?

2. In what ways does the provision for turtledoves or pigeons demonstrate God's inclusivity and care for all individuals, regardless of their social or economic status?

3. How can we apply the principles of holiness and purity from Leviticus 15:14 to our daily lives as Christians today?

4. What are the similarities and differences between the Old Testament sacrificial system and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as described in the New Testament?

5. How can the role of the priest in Leviticus 15:14 inspire us to support and encourage one another in our spiritual journeys within the church community?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 12:8
This verse also mentions the use of turtledoves or pigeons for purification, highlighting the provision for those who are less affluent.

Luke 2:24
Mary and Joseph offer turtledoves or pigeons at the temple, connecting the Old Testament purification laws to the New Testament account.

Hebrews 9:13-14
Discusses the limitations of the old sacrificial system and points to the ultimate purification through Christ's sacrifice.
Personal PurityW. Clarkson Leviticus 15:1-33
Secret SinsR.M. Edgar Leviticus 15:1-33
UncleannessJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 15:1-33
Atonement Required for Secret SinsA. A. Bonar.Leviticus 15:2-33
Beware of Contact with Sinful PersonsBiblioth. BiblLeviticus 15:2-33
Cleanliness a Religious DutC. Clemance, D. D.Leviticus 15:2-33
Human Nature UncleanC. H. Mackintosh.Leviticus 15:2-33
Impurity a Contagious EvilW. Clarkson.Leviticus 15:2-33
Plain Speaking on the Subject of PurityJ. M. Gibson, D. D.Leviticus 15:2-33
Purity RequiredJ. M. Gibson, D. D.Leviticus 15:2-33
Secret UncleannessJ. A. Seiss, D. D.Leviticus 15:2-33
The Secret Flow of Sin from the Natural HeartA. A. Bonar.Leviticus 15:2-33
People
Aaron, Israelites, Moses
Places
Teman
Topics
Congregation, Door, Doorway, Doves, Eighth, Entrance, Meeting, Opening, Pigeons, Priest, Tabernacle, Taketh, Tent, Turtledoves, Turtle-doves
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 15:14

     1653   numbers, 6-10
     4636   dove
     4678   pigeon

Leviticus 15:1-15

     7416   purification

Leviticus 15:1-17

     7348   defilement

Leviticus 15:1-27

     5145   clothing

Leviticus 15:1-33

     5298   doctors

Leviticus 15:13-15

     6636   drawing near to God

Library
The Cavils of the Pharisees Concerning Purification, and the Teaching of the Lord Concerning Purity - the Traditions Concerning Hand-Washing' and Vows. '
As we follow the narrative, confirmatory evidence of what had preceded springs up at almost every step. It is quite in accordance with the abrupt departure of Jesus from Capernaum, and its motives, that when, so far from finding rest and privacy at Bethsaida (east of the Jordan), a greater multitude than ever had there gathered around Him, which would fain have proclaimed Him King, He resolved on immediate return to the western shore, with the view of seeking a quieter retreat, even though it were
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Jairus' Daughter and the Invalid Woman.
(Capernaum, Same Day as Last.) ^A Matt. IX. 18-26; ^B Mark V. 22-43; ^C Luke VIII. 41-56. ^c 41 And ^a 18 While he spake these things unto them [while he talked about fasting at Matthew's table], behold, there came, { ^b cometh} ^c a man named Jairus, { ^b Jairus by name;} ^c and he was a ruler { ^b one of the rulers} of the synagogue [He was one of the board of elders which governed the synagogue at Capernaum. These elders were not necessarily old men--Matt. xix. 16-22; Luke xviii. 18-23], and seeing
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

That the Ruler Should be Discreet in Keeping Silence, Profitable in Speech.
The ruler should be discreet in keeping silence, profitable in speech; lest he either utter what ought to be suppressed or suppress what he ought to utter. For, as incautious speaking leads into error, so indiscreet silence leaves in error those who might have been instructed. For often improvident rulers, fearing to lose human favour, shrink timidly from speaking freely the things that are right; and, according to the voice of the Truth (Joh. x. 12), serve unto the custody of the flock by no means
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Memoir of John Bunyan
THE FIRST PERIOD. THIS GREAT MAN DESCENDED FROM IGNOBLE PARENTS--BORN IN POVERTY--HIS EDUCATION AND EVIL HABITS--FOLLOWS HIS FATHER'S BUSINESS AS A BRAZIER--ENLISTS FOR A SOLDIER--RETURNS FROM THE WARS AND OBTAINS AN AMIABLE, RELIGIOUS WIFE--HER DOWER. 'We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.'--2 Cor 4:7 'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.'--Isaiah 55:8. 'Though ye have lien among the
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

John the Baptist's Person and Preaching.
(in the Wilderness of Judæa, and on the Banks of the Jordan, Occupying Several Months, Probably a.d. 25 or 26.) ^A Matt. III. 1-12; ^B Mark I. 1-8; ^C Luke III. 1-18. ^b 1 The beginning of the gospel [John begins his Gospel from eternity, where the Word is found coexistent with God. Matthew begins with Jesus, the humanly generated son of Abraham and David, born in the days of Herod the king. Luke begins with the birth of John the Baptist, the Messiah's herald; and Mark begins with the ministry
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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