Leviticus 14:17 - The priest shall put some of the rest of the oil that is in his hand on the tip 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, upon the blood of the trespass offering.
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What does "Leviticus 14:17" mean?
Leviticus 14 describes the ritual for cleansing someone who had been afflicted with skin diseases (likely leprosy, though the term encompassed a range of conditions). Verse 17 is a key part of that ritual, involving the application of oil to specific parts of the person's body. Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"The priest shall put some of the rest of the oil that is in his hand...": This refers to consecrated oil, likely olive oil that had been set apart for holy purposes. This is the oil leftover from the earlier part of the ritual where the priest has used the same oil to sprinkle before the Lord
"...on the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed...": The application to the right ear signifies cleansing and consecration of the person's hearing. It suggests a commitment to listen to God's commands and to be attentive to spiritual truths.
"...and on the thumb of his right hand...": The right thumb represents the individual's actions and work. Applying the oil signifies a consecration of their deeds, implying that their actions should now be dedicated to God's purposes.
"...and on the big toe of his right foot...": The right big toe symbolizes the individual's walk and direction in life. Anointing it signifies a consecration of their path, suggesting that they should now walk in God's ways and follow His direction.
"...upon the blood of the trespass offering.": This is extremely important. The oil is applied on top of the blood of the trespass offering that was previously applied to those same locations. This means the blood must be applied before the oil. The blood represents atonement for sins and purification from defilement. By applying the oil on top of the blood, the ritual emphasizes that the cleansing and consecration are based on the foundation of atonement. The sin must be atoned for before the person can be dedicated to God's service.
Symbolic Significance:
In essence, this ritual is a symbolic representation of complete restoration and dedication to God. It covers the person's hearing, actions, and walk – their entire being. By applying the oil after the blood, it emphasizes that true consecration and service to God are only possible through atonement for sin.
Possible Interpretations:
Holistic Cleansing: The ritual signifies the comprehensive cleansing of the person – not just physically, but also spiritually and morally.
Consecration for Service: It's a commissioning for service to God, with the individual's senses, actions, and direction now dedicated to Him.
Atonement as Foundation: The placement of the oil on top of the blood underlines that forgiveness and reconciliation with God are the necessary foundation for a life dedicated to Him.
Connection to New Testament:
While this is an Old Testament ritual, some Christians see parallels to the New Testament. For example, the anointing with oil can be seen as a foreshadowing of the Holy Spirit's anointing and the consecration of believers for service to God. The blood can be seen as a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of sins.
In conclusion, Leviticus 14:17 is a detailed and symbolic instruction for the cleansing and re-dedication of someone who was previously considered ceremonially unclean. It highlights the importance of both atonement for sin and a commitment to live a life dedicated to God.
Leviticus 14:17 - The priest shall put some of the rest of the oil that is in his hand on the tip 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, upon the blood of the trespass offering.
What does "Leviticus 14:17" mean?
Leviticus 14 describes the ritual for cleansing someone who had been afflicted with skin diseases (likely leprosy, though the term encompassed a range of conditions). Verse 17 is a key part of that ritual, involving the application of oil to specific parts of the person's body. Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"The priest shall put some of the rest of the oil that is in his hand...": This refers to consecrated oil, likely olive oil that had been set apart for holy purposes. This is the oil leftover from the earlier part of the ritual where the priest has used the same oil to sprinkle before the Lord
"...on the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed...": The application to the right ear signifies cleansing and consecration of the person's hearing. It suggests a commitment to listen to God's commands and to be attentive to spiritual truths.
"...and on the thumb of his right hand...": The right thumb represents the individual's actions and work. Applying the oil signifies a consecration of their deeds, implying that their actions should now be dedicated to God's purposes.
"...and on the big toe of his right foot...": The right big toe symbolizes the individual's walk and direction in life. Anointing it signifies a consecration of their path, suggesting that they should now walk in God's ways and follow His direction.
"...upon the blood of the trespass offering.": This is extremely important. The oil is applied on top of the blood of the trespass offering that was previously applied to those same locations. This means the blood must be applied before the oil. The blood represents atonement for sins and purification from defilement. By applying the oil on top of the blood, the ritual emphasizes that the cleansing and consecration are based on the foundation of atonement. The sin must be atoned for before the person can be dedicated to God's service.
Symbolic Significance:
In essence, this ritual is a symbolic representation of complete restoration and dedication to God. It covers the person's hearing, actions, and walk – their entire being. By applying the oil after the blood, it emphasizes that true consecration and service to God are only possible through atonement for sin.
Possible Interpretations:
Holistic Cleansing: The ritual signifies the comprehensive cleansing of the person – not just physically, but also spiritually and morally.
Consecration for Service: It's a commissioning for service to God, with the individual's senses, actions, and direction now dedicated to Him.
Atonement as Foundation: The placement of the oil on top of the blood underlines that forgiveness and reconciliation with God are the necessary foundation for a life dedicated to Him.
Connection to New Testament:
While this is an Old Testament ritual, some Christians see parallels to the New Testament. For example, the anointing with oil can be seen as a foreshadowing of the Holy Spirit's anointing and the consecration of believers for service to God. The blood can be seen as a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of sins.
In conclusion, Leviticus 14:17 is a detailed and symbolic instruction for the cleansing and re-dedication of someone who was previously considered ceremonially unclean. It highlights the importance of both atonement for sin and a commitment to live a life dedicated to God.