King James Version

What Does Leviticus 14:25 Mean?

Leviticus 14:25 in the King James Version says “And he shall kill the lamb of the trespass offering, and the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offerin...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he shall kill the lamb of the trespass offering, and the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and 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:”

Leviticus 14:25 · King James Version

Context

23

And he shall bring them on the eighth day for his cleansing unto the priest, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, before the LORD.

24

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

25

And he shall kill the lamb of the trespass offering, and the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and 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:

26

And the priest shall pour of the oil into the palm of his own left hand:

27

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

Read Leviticus 14 full chapter

Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
And he shall kill the lamb of the trespass offering, and the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and 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:

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 five main offerings (burnt, grain, peace, sin, and guilt) addressed different aspects of relationship with God, all fulfilled in Christ's comprehensive sacrifice. Ritual purity laws taught Israel to distinguish between clean and unclean, holy and common, training them in discernment and reverence for God's presence. Leviticus 17:11 declares 'the life of the flesh is in the blood,' establishing blood's sacred role in atonement, pointing to Christ's blood shed for redemption.
Hebrews 9-10 explains how Christ's once-for-all sacrifice supersedes the repeated Levitical offerings, providing permanent cleansing from sin.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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. What does this verse teach about the costliness of true worship and dedication to God?
  3. How can you develop greater spiritual discernment in distinguishing what honors God from what defiles?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְשָׁחַט֮1 of 22

“And he shall kill”

H7819

to slaughter (in sacrifice or massacre)

אֶת2 of 22
H853

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

כֶּ֣בֶשׂ3 of 22

“the lamb”

H3532

a ram (just old enough to butt)

הָֽאָשָׁ֔ם4 of 22

“of the trespass offering”

H817

guilt; by implication, a fault; also a sin-offering

וְלָקַ֤ח5 of 22

“shall take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

הַכֹּהֵן֙6 of 22

“and the priest”

H3548

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

מִדַּ֣ם7 of 22

“some of the blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

הָֽאָשָׁ֔ם8 of 22

“of the trespass offering”

H817

guilt; by implication, a fault; also a sin-offering

וְנָתַ֛ן9 of 22

“and put”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

עַל10 of 22
H5921

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

תְּנ֥וּךְ11 of 22

“it upon the tip”

H8571

a pinnacle, i.e., extremity

אֹֽזֶן12 of 22

“ear”

H241

broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)

הַמִּטַּהֵ֖ר13 of 22

“of him that is to be cleansed”

H2891

to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; levitically, uncontaminated; morally, innocent or holy)

הַיְמָנִֽית׃14 of 22

“of his right”

H3233

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

וְעַל15 of 22
H5921

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

בֹּ֥הֶן16 of 22

“and upon the great toe”

H931

the thumb of the hand or great toe of the foot

יָדוֹ֙17 of 22

“hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

הַיְמָנִֽית׃18 of 22

“of his right”

H3233

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

וְעַל19 of 22
H5921

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

בֹּ֥הֶן20 of 22

“and upon the great toe”

H931

the thumb of the hand or great toe of the foot

רַגְל֖וֹ21 of 22

“foot”

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

הַיְמָנִֽית׃22 of 22

“of his right”

H3233

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

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 14:25 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 14:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ecclesiastes 5:1Leviticus 14:14-20Psalms 40:6

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