King James Version

What Does Leviticus 14:26 Mean?

Leviticus 14:26 in the King James Version says “And the priest shall pour of the oil into the palm of his own left hand:” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Leviticus 14:26 · KJV

Context

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:

28

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:

Read Leviticus 14 full chapter

Commentary

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

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.
Every sacrifice and ritual in Leviticus points forward to Jesus Christ, who fulfills the entire sacrificial system as both perfect sacrifice and eternal high priest.

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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. The Israelite dietary laws in Leviticus 11 have no exact parallel in surrounding cultures, though some ancient cultures had food taboos, suggesting unique revelation rather than borrowed customs.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Christ's superior priesthood, prefigured in this verse, assure you of access to God and effective intercession?
  2. What practical steps can you take this week to apply the principles taught in this verse?
  3. In what ways does this verse challenge contemporary cultural values or your personal attitudes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
וּמִן1 of 8
H4480

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

הַשֶּׁ֖מֶן2 of 8

“of the oil”

H8081

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

יִצֹ֣ק3 of 8

“shall pour”

H3332

properly, to pour out (transitive or intransitive); by implication, to melt or cast as metal; by extension, to place firmly, to stiffen or grow hard

הַכֹּהֵ֖ן4 of 8

“And the priest”

H3548

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

עַל5 of 8
H5921

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

כַּ֥ף6 of 8

“into the palm”

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-

הַכֹּהֵ֖ן7 of 8

“And the priest”

H3548

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

הַשְּׂמָאלִֽית׃8 of 8

“left hand”

H8042

situated on the left side

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 14:26 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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