Definition: 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;
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Leviticus 14:21. It's a pretty detailed set of rules about what animals were allowed to be eaten in the Old Testament, specifically concerning livestock. Here’s a simplified explanation: Basically, it’s about offering a “trespass” animal as a way to make up for a bad situation. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And if he [be] poor, and cannot get so much…” This is the first part – it's about animals that are considered too poor or have too little meat to be consumed. It sets a limit on what kind of livestock were allowed. “…then he shall take one lamb [for] a trespass offering to be waved, to make an atonement for him…” This is the core of the rule. A "lamb" was specifically chosen as a way to offer a cleansing and atonement . “A trespass offering”: This means it wasn’t meant to be a regular meal. It was a special offering to show remorse and acknowledge a wrong. Think of it like saying, “I'm sorry for something I did.” “To be waved…” This is key! The lamb didn’t have to be eaten whole. Instead, it had to be waved – meaning you would hold it up and show it as a sign of repentance. It wasn’t meant to be consumed. “…and one tenth deal of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering…” This describes the meat portion – it was not to be eaten in its entirety. Instead, it had to be mixed with a small amount of finely ground flour and oil. This is how they ensured a sacred and symbolic offering. “And a log of oil…” Finally, there's a requirement for the oil portion - a "log" was required as well. This represented something precious and holy. What’s the point? The whole rule was designed to show that people who were truly poor or in need weren’t meant to be eating meat, especially a lamb. It was a way for God to acknowledge their repentance and show compassion when they were struggling. It was a symbolic offering – representing a broken relationship with God, and the need for forgiveness. Important Note: This rule is part of a larger system of laws and sacrifices in ancient Israel. It's not about literally forbidding certain animals; it’s about recognizing that people who are facing hardship needed a way to show humility and seek God’s forgiveness. Do you want me to go into more detail on any specific aspect of this passage, such as: Why was this rule established? What does it say about the relationship between humans and God?