Leviticus 14 28

Leviticus 14:28 kjv

And the priest shall put of the oil that is in his hand upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot, upon the place of the blood of the trespass offering:

Leviticus 14:28 nkjv

And the priest shall put some of the oil that is in his hand on the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed, on the thumb of the right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot, on the place of the blood of the trespass offering.

Leviticus 14:28 niv

Some of the oil in his palm he is to put on the same places he put the blood of the guilt offering?on the lobe of the right ear of the one to be cleansed, on the thumb of their right hand and on the big toe of their right foot.

Leviticus 14:28 esv

And the priest shall put some of the oil that is in his hand on the lobe of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed and on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot, in the place where the blood of the guilt offering was put.

Leviticus 14:28 nlt

The priest will then apply some of the oil in his palm over the blood from the guilt offering that is on the lobe of the right ear, the thumb of the right hand, and the big toe of the right foot of the person being purified.

Leviticus 14 verses

Leviticus 14 28 Meaning

This verse details a crucial part of the purification ritual for a person healed from a skin disease, particularly leprosy, restoring them to full covenant communion. Following the application of atoning blood, specific quantities of consecrated oil are applied to the cleansed individual's extremities: the ear, thumb, and big toe of the right side. This ritual signifies complete consecration and dedication of the individual's listening, actions, and walk to the Lord, made possible by divine atonement and empowerment. The oil, emblematic of the Holy Spirit, indicates gladness, blessing, and the person's being set apart for holy living, grounded in the cleansing from defilement.

Leviticus 14 28 Context

Leviticus Chapter 14 outlines the detailed, two-part purification ritual for someone cleansed from tzara'at (often translated "leprosy"), a severe skin ailment that rendered individuals ritually impure and excluded from the Israelite community. This ritual restores the individual not just medically but also ceremonially, spiritually, and socially. Verse 28 specifically describes the application of oil from a prescribed sequence of sacrifices that complete this restoration. It follows immediately after the application of the blood from the guilt offering (Lev 14:14), establishing a divine order where atonement precedes consecration. Historically, these meticulous laws underscored the absolute holiness of God and the strict requirements for His people to dwell in His presence, serving as a constant reminder of the gravity of defilement and the divine means for restoration. This detailed, priestly-mediated process also contrasted with any pagan notions of self-cleansing or magical remedies for impurities, asserting God's sole authority in declaring and effecting cleanness.

Leviticus 14 28 Word analysis

• And the priest: In Hebrew, הַכֹּהֵן (ha-kohen) refers to the authorized Aaronic priest, a figure divinely appointed to mediate sacred rituals between God and Israel. This highlights the ritual's divine authorization and structured nature, not a personal initiative.
• shall put: From the Hebrew verb וְנָתַן (ve-natan), meaning "and he shall give" or "he shall place/put." This indicates a deliberate, specific action performed by the priest, signifying the purposeful application of divine elements for purification and consecration.
• some of the oil: In Hebrew, מִן־הַשֶּׁמֶן (min-ha-shemen). The term שֶׁמֶן (shemen) for "oil" typically symbolizes anointing, consecration, setting apart, joy, healing, and, significantly, the presence or influence of the Holy Spirit. In this ritual, it signifies a fresh impartation of spiritual vitality and dedication, following the cleansing blood.
• on the lobe of his right ear, and on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot: The standard full text of Lev 14:28 includes "the lobe of his right ear" which is crucial for comprehensive understanding, matching the ordination ritual for priests.
  • lobe of his right ear (עַל־תְּנוּךְ אֹזֶן הַיְמָנִית - al-t'nukh ozen ha'yemanit): The ear symbolizes hearing and obedience. Applying oil here consecrates the person's faculty of hearing, ensuring they are attuned to God's commands and counsel, ready to obey.
  • thumb of his right hand (וְעַל־בֹּהֶן יָדוֹ הַיְמָנִית - ve'al-bohen yado ha'yemanit): The hand represents action, work, and service. Consecrating the thumb (the most active part of the hand) signifies that the person's actions, labor, and endeavors are now set apart for God's purposes, done in righteousness.
  • big toe of his right foot (וְעַל־בֹּהֶן רַגְלוֹ הַיְמָנִית - ve'al-bohen raglo ha'yemanit): The foot symbolizes one's walk, path, and life direction. Anointing the toe dedicates the person's steps, their entire life's journey, to align with God's will and paths of holiness. The consistent emphasis on the "right" side highlights strength, effectiveness, and dedication in the eyes of God.
• in the place of the blood of the guilt offering: In Hebrew, בִּמְקוֹם דַּם הָאָשָׁם (bim'kom dam ha'asham). This is a critical phrase. It signifies that the oil is applied precisely where the blood of the guilt (or trespass) offering (אָשָׁם - asham) had just been placed. This sequence (blood then oil) is paramount: atonement and purification from sin must first occur (by blood) before true consecration and dedication (by oil/Spirit) can be valid or effective. The "guilt offering" addresses defilement and restoration from specific covenant infractions that demand restitution.

Words-group Analysis

• "Blood of the guilt offering" (דַּם הָאָשָׁם - dam ha'asham) followed by "some of the oil" (מִן־הַשֶּׁמֶן - min-ha-shemen): This ritual sequence encapsulates a profound theological truth. The blood addresses atonement, payment for wrong, and cleansing from defilement. The oil then signifies anointing, empowerment, and consecration. This demonstrates that holiness and dedicated service can only proceed from a foundation of divinely provided atonement. It speaks of divine reconciliation (blood) making way for spiritual impartation (oil).
• "Right ear, right hand, right foot": This triadic application of blood and then oil upon these specific right-sided extremities represents the total consecration of the person. It covers their reception of divine instruction (ear), their actions and labor (hand), and their life's journey and walk (foot). The right side denotes strength, honor, and efficacy, emphasizing the full and dedicated nature of this re-consecration.

Leviticus 14 28 Bonus section

This specific dual application of blood and oil to the extremities is a rare and powerful symbolic act, occurring explicitly in the ordination of priests (Lev 8) and the purification of the cleansed leper (Lev 14). This parallel highlights the extraordinary spiritual transformation undergone by the once-unclean individual, elevating them to a consecrated status reminiscent of those appointed to priestly service. It signifies that a leper, after divine purification, is not merely physically healed but ritually and spiritually restored, dedicated fully to the Lord in hearing, doing, and walking. This emphasizes the covenant community's high standards of purity and the intricate divine provisions for restoration and full participation. The oil further signifies a return to favor and fruitfulness after the blight of defilement.

Leviticus 14 28 Commentary

Leviticus 14:28 provides the profound conclusion to the anointing part of the leper's cleansing ritual, building upon the prior application of atoning blood. The meticulous placement of consecrated oil on the ear, thumb, and big toe of the right side is deeply symbolic, paralleling the ordination ceremony for priests. It signifies the complete dedication and re-consecration of the once-defiled individual to God. The oil, often representative of the Holy Spirit and divine anointing, symbolizes joy, favor, and enablement for living a new, sanctified life. This new life of obedience and service is directly dependent on the prior cleansing work, signified by the blood of the guilt offering. It beautifully illustrates that access to God's presence, capacity for holiness, and engagement in covenant service stem from divine atonement (blood) which then enables divine empowerment and setting apart (oil).