King James Version

What Does Leviticus 14:16 Mean?

Leviticus 14:16 in the King James Version says “And the priest shall dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand, and shall sprinkle of the oil with his fi...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the priest shall dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand, and shall sprinkle of the oil with his finger seven times before the LORD:”

Leviticus 14:16 · KJV

Context

14

And the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and the priest shall put it 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:

15

And the priest shall take some of the log of oil, and pour it into the palm of his own left hand:

16

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

17

And of the rest of the oil that is in his hand shall the priest put 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 blood of the trespass offering:

18

And the remnant of the oil that is in the priest's hand he shall pour upon the head of him that is to be cleansed: and the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD.

Read Leviticus 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the priest shall dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand, and shall sprinkle of the oil with his finger seven times before the LORD:

This verse falls within the section on Cleansing from Skin Diseases. Elaborate cleansing ritual for healed lepers, involving birds, blood, and multiple offerings, symbolizing restoration.

The Aaronic priesthood mediated between God and Israel, offering sacrifices and maintaining the tabernacle. This prefigured Christ's superior priesthood after the order of Melchizedek.
The access to God's presence that Leviticus carefully regulated is now freely available through Christ's blood, tearing the veil and opening the way to God.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Elaborate cleansing ritual for healed lepers, involving birds, blood, and multiple offerings, symbolizing restoration. Chapters 11-15 address ritual purity, teaching Israel to distinguish clean from unclean. These laws served multiple purposes: promoting health, teaching spiritual lessons about sin's defilement, and separating Israel from pagan practices. Archaeological evidence shows Canaanite worship involved practices Israel's laws explicitly prohibited. Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. Archaeological discoveries at sites like Ugarit reveal Canaanite religious practices Israel's laws explicitly rejected, confirming the Bible's historical reliability and the distinctiveness of Israelite worship.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ's superior priesthood, prefigured in this verse, assure you of access to God and effective intercession?
  2. How can you use this verse to worship God more fully, obey Him more faithfully, or love others more sacrificially?
  3. How does this verse help you understand both God's justice and His mercy in salvation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וְטָבַ֤ל1 of 19

“shall dip”

H2881

to dip, to immerse

הַכֹּהֵן֙2 of 19

“And the priest”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

אֶת3 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְּאֶצְבָּע֛וֹ4 of 19

“finger”

H676

something to sieze with, i.e., a finger; by analogy, a toe

הַיְמָנִ֔ית5 of 19

“his right”

H3233

right (i.e., at the right hand)

מִן6 of 19
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַשֶּׁ֧מֶן7 of 19

“in the oil”

H8081

grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness

אֲשֶׁ֥ר8 of 19
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עַל9 of 19
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כַּפּ֖וֹ10 of 19

“hand”

H3709

the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-

הַשְּׂמָאלִ֑ית11 of 19

“that is in his left”

H8042

situated on the left side

וְהִזָּ֨ה12 of 19

“and shall sprinkle”

H5137

to spirt, i.e., besprinkle (especially in expiation)

מִן13 of 19
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַשֶּׁ֧מֶן14 of 19

“in the oil”

H8081

grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness

בְּאֶצְבָּע֛וֹ15 of 19

“finger”

H676

something to sieze with, i.e., a finger; by analogy, a toe

שֶׁ֥בַע16 of 19

“seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

פְּעָמִ֖ים17 of 19

“times”

H6471

a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)

לִפְנֵ֥י18 of 19

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָֽה׃19 of 19

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Leviticus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Leviticus 14:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Leviticus 14:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Corinthians 10:31Luke 17:18Leviticus 4:17Leviticus 4:6

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