Leviticus 14 12

Leviticus 14:12 kjv

And the priest shall take one he lamb, and offer him for a trespass offering, and the log of oil, and wave them for a wave offering before the LORD:

Leviticus 14:12 nkjv

And the priest shall take one male lamb and offer it as a trespass offering, and the log of oil, and wave them as a wave offering before the LORD.

Leviticus 14:12 niv

"Then the priest is to take one of the male lambs and offer it as a guilt offering, along with the log of oil; he shall wave them before the LORD as a wave offering.

Leviticus 14:12 esv

And the priest shall take one of the male lambs and offer it for a guilt offering, along with the log of oil, and wave them for a wave offering before the LORD.

Leviticus 14:12 nlt

The priest will take one of the male lambs and the olive oil and present them as a guilt offering, lifting them up as a special offering before the LORD.

Leviticus 14 verses

Leviticus 14 12 Meaning

Leviticus 14:12 prescribes specific elements for the initial phase of the purification rite for a person healed of defiling skin disease. It states that the priest must take a male lamb and present it as a trespass offering, and also bring a precise measure of oil (a log of oil). Both the lamb and the oil are then to be waved before the LORD as a wave offering. This action signifies the person's initial atonement for specific defilement and dedication to God, setting the stage for full restoration to community and divine fellowship.

Leviticus 14 12 Context

Leviticus 14:12 is embedded within the detailed ritual for the purification of a person who has recovered from a defiling skin disease (often referred to as "leprosy" in many translations, but encompassing various skin conditions as described in Lev 13). This chapter outlines the necessary steps for an individual, previously excluded from the Israelite community due to their impurity, to be fully re-integrated and restored to ritual cleanliness and access to God's presence at the Tabernacle. This verse specifically deals with the initial atonement phase on the eighth day of the purification process, which is followed by further offerings and the application of blood and oil to specific body parts (ear, thumb, toe) to complete the ritual. The meticulous nature of these laws underscores the absolute holiness of God and the gravity of ritual defilement in ancient Israel. The elaborate ceremonies served to visually teach the Israelites about the pervasive nature of impurity and God's provision for restoration, while also distinguishing them through unique purity practices from the surrounding pagan cultures whose rituals often involved moral and physical defilement.

Leviticus 14 12 Word analysis

• And the priest (וְהַכֹּהֵן - v'hakkohen): Refers to the consecrated individual appointed by God to mediate between Him and His people. His role is indispensable in applying the divine ritual for cleansing. This emphasizes divine authority and order in worship and reconciliation.
• shall take (וְלָקַח - v'laqach): Signifies the active initiation of the prescribed action by the priest. It's a deliberate choice to carry out God's command.
• one he lamb (כֶּבֶשׂ אֶחָד - keves echad): Specifies a young, unblemished male lamb, highlighting its suitability for sacrifice. As a clean animal, it symbolizes innocence and purity, chosen as a proper substitute. Its singleness indicates a particular, dedicated sacrifice.
• and offer him for a trespass offering (וְהִקְרִיב אֹתוֹ אָשָׁם - v'hiqriv oto asham):
  • Offer him (וְהִקְרִיב אֹתוֹ - v'hiqriv oto): To bring near or present to God.
  • trespass offering (אָשָׁם - asham): A specific category of sacrifice, also translated as a "guilt offering." Distinct from the sin offering (chatat), the asham primarily addresses defilement or unintentional wrong that infringes on God's holiness or others' property/rights, often requiring restitution. For skin disease, it may cover the defilement that led to the breach of the sacred space of the community or the defiling impact of the condition itself. It makes specific atonement.
• and the log of oil (וְלֹג הַשָּׁמֶן - v'log hashshamen):
  • log (לֹג - log): A precise, small liquid measure, approximately 0.5 to 0.6 liters (about a pint). The specificity underscores the meticulousness required by God in His worship.
  • of oil (הַשָּׁמֶן - hashshamen): Primarily olive oil, often used for anointing, light, and sustenance. Symbolically, oil represents consecration, joy, healing, and, in a broader theological sense, the presence or empowering of the Holy Spirit. In this ritual, it is subsequently applied to the healed person's body (v. 14-17) for cleansing and anointing.
• and wave them (וְהֵנִיף אֹתָם - v'henif otam): The action of waving, known as tenufah, is a priestly act. It involves moving the offering back and forth or up and down before the altar. This symbolizes dedicating the offering to the LORD, acknowledging His ownership, or representing the giving back and forth between God and the offerer, often with portions returning to the priest as God's representative.
• before the LORD (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה - lifnei YHVH): Emphasizes that the entire ritual action is performed in God's presence, signifying its direct presentation to Him and seeking His acceptance and blessing. This indicates divine acknowledgment and efficacy of the atonement.

Leviticus 14 12 Bonus section

• Severe Uncleanness: Defiling skin diseases were considered among the most severe forms of ritual uncleanness in ancient Israel, often likened to the uncleanness of a corpse, due to their profound societal and spiritual implications. This severity necessitated a multi-stage, intricate purification process, starting with the declaration of healing and including these initial ceremonial presentations.
• The Asham and the Sacred: The unique aspect of the asham (trespass offering) here suggests that defiling skin diseases were viewed as having violated or impacted the sacred realm or the holy community of Israel. It was a sin, or rather a condition reflecting a breaking, of the covenant relationship in a way that required specific reparation to God's holiness, thus preparing the individual for the later general offerings of the sin offering and burnt offering.
• Redemption from Exclusion: The sequence of the entire Lev 14 ritual moves from physical separation (due to the disease) to the edge of the camp (first stage of purification, Lev 14:1-9) and finally to complete re-entry into the camp and tabernacle access on the eighth day (Lev 14:10-20), culminating in the ritual of verse 12. This carefully orchestrated restoration ritual reflects God's deep desire to redeem His people from their states of defilement and restore them to full fellowship with Him.

Leviticus 14 12 Commentary

Leviticus 14:12 provides a snapshot of the elaborate and highly symbolic purification rites mandated by God for those recovering from defiling skin diseases. The choice of the "he-lamb" points forward to the ultimate, spotless Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, whose sacrificial death would be the perfect asham for all humanity's transgressions, especially those that breach God's holiness. The trespass offering's specific nature, aimed at providing atonement for infringements of sacred rights or obligations, highlights that skin defilement was not merely physical, but a condition that estranged one from God's presence and His holy community. The inclusion of the "log of oil," subsequently applied in the purification rite, signifies anointing, spiritual restoration, and the comforting, healing, and sanctifying work that the Holy Spirit embodies for believers. The "wave offering" dynamically represents the dedication of the offerings fully to the LORD and their reception by Him, affirming divine ownership and acceptance. This meticulous process underscored Israel's distinctive relationship with a holy God, providing a framework for restoration from states of deep impurity, thereby teaching dependence on divine provision for cleansing and emphasizing God's pathways for returning to His fellowship.