Numbers 6:10
And on the eighth day he shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons, to the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation:
Original Language Analysis
וּבַיּ֣וֹם
day
H3117
וּבַיּ֣וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
1 of 15
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
יָבִא֙
he shall bring
H935
יָבִא֙
he shall bring
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
3 of 15
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
תֹרִ֔ים
turtles
H8449
תֹרִ֔ים
turtles
Strong's:
H8449
Word #:
5 of 15
a ring-dove, often (figuratively) as a term of endearment
א֥וֹ
H176
א֥וֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
6 of 15
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
בְּנֵ֣י
young
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
young
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
8 of 15
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
הַכֹּהֵ֔ן
to the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֔ן
to the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
11 of 15
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
פֶּ֖תַח
to the door
H6607
פֶּ֖תַח
to the door
Strong's:
H6607
Word #:
13 of 15
an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way
Cross References
Leviticus 15:29And 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 1:14And if the burnt sacrifice for his offering to the LORD be of fowls, then he shall bring his offering of turtledoves, or of young pigeons.Leviticus 15:14And 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:
Historical Context
Turtledoves and pigeons were the offerings Mary and Joseph brought at Jesus' presentation (Luke 2:24), indicating their poverty. These birds were abundant in Palestine and affordable for the poor, ensuring that ritual purity remained accessible regardless of economic status. God's law did not price the poor out of holiness.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's accommodation for the poor in worship challenge economic barriers in churches today?
- What does it mean that God provides what He requires for obedience?
- How is Christ both God's requirement for us and God's provision to us?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The requirement of 'two turtles, or two young pigeons' for purification shows God's gracious accommodation. These were the poorest acceptable offerings (Leviticus 5:7), allowing even impoverished Nazirites to complete purification. This demonstrates that God's provision enables obedience—He commands nothing impossible (1 Corinthians 10:13). The double offering may signify completeness of cleansing. This grace-infused law foreshadows the gospel principle that God provides what He requires, ultimately supplying Christ as both requirement and provision.