Leviticus 14 27

Leviticus 14:27 kjv

And the priest shall sprinkle with his right finger some of the oil that is in his left hand seven times before the LORD:

Leviticus 14:27 nkjv

Then the priest shall sprinkle with his right finger some of the oil that is in his left hand seven times before the LORD.

Leviticus 14:27 niv

and with his right forefinger sprinkle some of the oil from his palm seven times before the LORD.

Leviticus 14:27 esv

and shall sprinkle with his right finger some of the oil that is in his left hand seven times before the LORD.

Leviticus 14:27 nlt

He will dip his right finger into the oil in his palm and sprinkle some of it seven times before the LORD.

Leviticus 14 verses

Leviticus 14 27 Meaning

Leviticus 14:27 is part of the purification ritual for a person declared cleansed from tzara'at (a severe skin condition often translated as leprosy). Specifically, it describes a critical step within the atonement and cleansing process for a poor individual, indicating the divine means by which they are fully restored to a state of ritual purity and fellowship with God and the community. The priest takes some of the specially consecrated anointing oil, applies it with his right finger, and sprinkles it seven times in the sacred space before the Lord. This action symbolizes the divine consecration, spiritual healing, and re-entry into sacred covenant life, facilitated by God's presence and provision, and is essential for the completion of the purification.

Leviticus 14 27 Context

Leviticus chapter 14 outlines the detailed rituals for the purification of a person cured of tzara'at, a severe skin condition that rendered an individual ceremonially unclean and an outcast from the community. The entire process involved several stages: a preliminary examination by the priest outside the camp, an initial sacrifice of birds, washing, shaving, and specific offerings at the Tabernacle. This particular verse (14:27) occurs within the framework of the actual Temple offerings, specifically for someone of limited means who could not afford the more elaborate sacrifices prescribed for the wealthy. It is the final ritual involving the anointing oil, applied after the blood of the sin and burnt offerings, symbolizing the complete restoration, consecration, and enablement by God's Spirit, allowing the individual to be fully reintegrated into Israelite society and worship. Historically, tzara'at was seen not just as a physical ailment but as a manifestation of defilement that necessitated divine intervention for cleansing and renewal. The elaborate steps ensured that purification was entirely by divine design and priestly mediation, not human effort, emphasizing God's ultimate authority over defilement and restoration.

Leviticus 14 27 Word analysis

• And the priest:

  • "And" (וְ - ve): A conjunction, indicating a continuation or sequence within the ritual, connecting this act to previous steps involving blood application.
  • "the priest" (הַכֹּהֵן - ha-kohen): Refers to the appointed minister in the Israelite sanctuary, mediator between God and man in cultic matters. His role is divinely ordained and indispensable for facilitating atonement, cleansing, and blessing, emphasizing that the purification is by God's authority and provision, not the individual's. This also sets the context against pagan practices where individuals might perform their own rites or appeal to other deities.

• shall sprinkle:

  • (הִזָּה - hizza, Hiphil form of נָזָה - nazah): To cause to spurt, sprinkle, or spatter. This Hiphil form implies an active, intentional, and purposeful scattering. In cultic contexts, sprinkling is a vital act of purification and consecration. It signifies the application of a purifying or consecrating substance (blood or oil) to something or someone, marking it as clean, holy, or dedicated. It’s an act that conveys purity or imparts holiness through contact with a divinely designated medium, transforming a state of impurity to one of purity and acceptance.

• some of the anointing oil:

  • (שֶׁמֶן הַמִּשְׁחָה - shemen ha-mishchah): Literally, "oil of the anointing." This is not just any oil but a specifically compounded and consecrated oil (Exod 30:22-33). It was sacred, used exclusively for anointing the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priests themselves, symbolizing consecration, sanctification, and the imparting of divine power or Spirit. In this ritual, its application symbolizes the restored individual's re-consecration to God and empowerment by His grace. It hints at the role of the Holy Spirit in spiritual restoration and enablement in the New Covenant.

• with his right finger:

  • (בְּאֶצְבַּע יְמָנִיתוֹ - b'etsba' yeminitō): "With his finger, his right." The "right finger" is emphasized. In ancient cultures, the right hand (and its fingers) often symbolized strength, skill, authority, favor, and power. Its use here indicates the precise, authoritative, and effectual action of the priest in administering the divinely appointed ritual. It's not a casual application but a deliberate, focused act from the agent empowered by God. This mirrors other acts where the right hand/finger is used (e.g., God's power, Ps 118:16; the priest's application of blood and oil to the right ear, thumb, and big toe).

• seven times:

  • (שֶׁבַע פְּעָמִים - sheva' pe'amim): "Seven times." The number seven is highly symbolic in biblical numerology, consistently representing completion, perfection, divine fullness, or covenant. Repeating the sprinkling action seven times signifies that the purification and consecration being enacted are complete, thorough, divinely mandated, and perfectly effective. It ensures that the restoration is absolute and divinely recognized, emphasizing God's complete work in the individual's cleansing.

• before the Lord:

  • (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה - lifnei Yahweh): Literally, "to the face of Yahweh" or "in the presence of Yahweh." This phrase emphasizes that the ritual is not a mere human formality but an act performed directly under God's watchful eye and approval. It underscores the sanctity of the act and the solemnity of being in the divine presence, implying that the purification is recognized and validated by God Himself. This ensures the restoration is truly complete and divine acceptance is granted, allowing the once-unclean person to re-enter the covenant community and approach God's sanctuary.

Leviticus 14 27 Bonus section

The specific details in Leviticus 14:27, particularly the poor person's offering, highlight God's grace and accessibility. While wealthy individuals brought additional elaborate offerings, God's purification process for the poor maintained the essential steps of blood application (atonement) and oil anointing (consecration/Spirit) by reducing the type and number of animals. This demonstrates that ritual purity and divine acceptance were not contingent upon one's economic status but on God's provided means. The ritual not only addressed physical and ritual uncleanness but profoundly underscored the spiritual aspect of reconciliation. Being declared "clean" meant more than absence of disease; it meant spiritual wholeness and restoration to a holy relationship. Furthermore, the oil being sprinkled seven times before the Lord and applied to the extremities (Lev 14:14-17) points to the complete consecration of the whole person—their walk, their actions, and their ability to hear and respond to God. The oil, distinct from blood, shifts focus from atonement (covered by blood) to enablement and setting apart for God's purposes.

Leviticus 14 27 Commentary

Leviticus 14:27 marks the profound conclusion of a once-diseased individual's journey from utter isolation to full re-entry into the Israelite covenant community. Following the atoning blood rituals, the sprinkling of the holy anointing oil is a climactic act. The anointing oil, set apart for divine use, signifies not just the setting apart of the purified person for God, but also an impartation from God – divine consecration and enablement, reminiscent of how priests, prophets, and kings were consecrated for service. The "right finger" highlights the precision and authority of the priest's act, which carries God’s weight behind it. The repeated action "seven times" underscores the completeness and perfection of this divine work; the person is not partially, but wholly, restored in the sight of God. Performing this "before the Lord" ensures that the restoration is ratified by God Himself, validating the individual’s complete return to fellowship. This entire sequence for the tzara'at cleansing serves as a powerful type and shadow, pointing to the spiritual cleansing and sanctification available through Jesus Christ, our great High Priest. His blood atones completely, and the anointing of the Holy Spirit seals believers, enabling them to live in newness of life, fully restored to God's presence and fit for His service. Just as the physically healed person could re-enter the community, so too does spiritual purification bring believers into intimate communion with God and fellow believers.