But if he be not able to bring two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, then he that sinned shall bring for his offering the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering; he shall put no oil upon it, neither shall he put any frankincense thereon: for it is a sin offering.
But if he cannot afford two turtledoves or two young pigeons, then the person who sinned should bring a tenth of an ephah of fine flour as his sin offering. He must not put any oil on it or add any frankincense to it, because it is a sin offering.
God is providing a way for even the poorest person to make a sin offering by allowing fine flour instead of birds, showing His care for people of all economic situations.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is part of God's instructions to Moses about the sacrificial system for the Israelites. The offerings mentioned here show a three-tiered system based on what people could afford: animals for the wealthy, birds for the middle class, and flour for the poor. The prohibition against oil and frankincense distinguished sin offerings from other offerings, as these ingredients were typically used in grain offerings that celebrated God's provision rather than addressed sin.
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