King James Version

What Does Leviticus 14:28 Mean?

Leviticus 14:28 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 · KJV

Context

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:

29

And the rest of the oil that is in the priest's hand he shall put upon the head of him that is to be cleansed, to make an atonement for him before the LORD.

30

And he shall offer the one of the turtledoves, or of the young pigeons, such as he can get ;

Read Leviticus 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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:

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.
What Leviticus portrayed through types and shadows, Christ fulfilled in reality through His incarnation, perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection.

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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. 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?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וְנָתַ֨ן1 of 24

“shall put”

H5414

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

הַכֹּהֵ֜ן2 of 24

“And the priest”

H3548

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

מִן3 of 24
H4480

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

הַשֶּׁ֣מֶן׀4 of 24

“of the oil”

H8081

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר5 of 24
H834

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

עַל6 of 24
H5921

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

כַּפּ֗וֹ7 of 24

“that is in his 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-

עַל8 of 24
H5921

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

תְּנ֞וּךְ9 of 24

“upon the tip”

H8571

a pinnacle, i.e., extremity

אֹ֤זֶן10 of 24

“ear”

H241

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

הַמִּטַּהֵר֙11 of 24

“of him that is to be cleansed”

H2891

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

הַיְמָנִ֑ית12 of 24

“of his right”

H3233

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

וְעַל13 of 24
H5921

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

בֹּ֥הֶן14 of 24

“and upon the great toe”

H931

the thumb of the hand or great toe of the foot

יָדוֹ֙15 of 24

“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

הַיְמָנִ֑ית16 of 24

“of his right”

H3233

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

וְעַל17 of 24
H5921

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

בֹּ֥הֶן18 of 24

“and upon the great toe”

H931

the thumb of the hand or great toe of the foot

רַגְל֖וֹ19 of 24

“foot”

H7272

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

הַיְמָנִ֑ית20 of 24

“of his right”

H3233

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

עַל21 of 24
H5921

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

מְק֖וֹם22 of 24

“upon the place”

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

דַּ֥ם23 of 24

“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

הָֽאָשָֽׁם׃24 of 24

“of the trespass offering”

H817

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

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 14:28 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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