Leviticus 14:17

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

And of the rest {H3499} of the oil {H8081} that is in his hand {H3709} shall the priest {H3548} put {H5414} upon the tip {H8571} of the right {H3233} ear {H241} of him that is to be cleansed {H2891}, and upon the thumb {H931} of his right {H3233} hand {H3027}, and upon the great toe {H931} of his right {H3233} foot {H7272}, upon the blood {H1818} of the trespass offering {H817}:

Complete Jewish Bible

Then the cohen is to put some of the remaining oil in his hand on the tip of the right ear of the person being purified, on the thumb of his right hand, on the big toe of his right foot and on the blood of the guilt offering.

Berean Standard Bible

And the priest is to put some of the oil remaining in his palm on the right earlobe of the one to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot, on top of the blood of the guilt offering.

American Standard Version

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:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 14:17 describes a crucial phase in the purification ritual for an individual healed of _tzara'at_, a severe skin affliction. Following the application of blood from the trespass offering, the priest applies the remaining sacred oil to the tip of the cleansed person's right ear, right thumb, and right great toe. This act profoundly symbolizes the holistic dedication and consecration of the individual—their hearing, actions, and entire life's walk—to God, made possible and founded upon the prior atonement and purification. It signifies their full restoration not only to physical health but also to communal fellowship and sacred service within the covenant community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus chapter 14 provides a meticulous, two-stage process for the purification of one afflicted by _tzara'at_. The initial stage, detailed in [Leviticus 14:1-9](/leviticus/14-1-9 "Leviticus 14:1-9 - Initial Purification Ritual for Tzara'at"), involves a bird sacrifice outside the camp, a ritual cleansing with water, cedar wood, scarlet, and hyssop, followed by shaving and washing, which permits the individual to re-enter the camp but not their tent for seven days. [Leviticus 14:10-32](/leviticus/14-10-32 "Leviticus 14:10-32 - Second Stage of Purification and Offerings") then outlines the second, more intensive stage on the eighth day, involving various offerings: a trespass offering, a sin offering, a burnt offering, and a grain offering. Verse 17 is an integral part of the trespass offering ritual, immediately following the application of the trespass offering's blood to the same specific body parts in [Leviticus 14:14](/leviticus/14-14 "Leviticus 14:14 - Application of Blood of the Trespass Offering"). This precise sequence—blood first, then oil—is crucial, establishing atonement as the necessary foundation for subsequent consecration and full restoration into the community and before God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, _tzara'at_ (often translated as "leprosy" but encompassing a broader range of severe skin conditions) rendered an individual ritually unclean and necessitated their isolation from the community and the camp, which was considered holy due to God's presence. This exclusion was not merely for health reasons but primarily for ceremonial purity, as defilement threatened the sanctity of the entire community and access to God. The elaborate purification rites, mediated by the priest, underscored the gravity of impurity and God's meticulous concern for the holiness of His people and their dwelling place. The anointing with oil on specific body parts (ear, thumb, toe) was a highly symbolic act, mirroring the ordination ritual for priests (as seen in [Exodus 29:20](/exodus/29-20 "Exodus 29:20 - Anointing of Priests for Consecration") and [Leviticus 8:23-24](/leviticus/8-23-24 "Leviticus 8:23-24 - Priestly Consecration Ritual")). This parallel suggests that the cleansed individual, now restored to the community, was also being consecrated for a life of renewed obedience and service to God, reflecting a priestly dedication of their entire being.
* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes within Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. It highlights the theme of **Holiness and Purity**, emphasizing God's demand for a clean people to dwell in His presence. The meticulous ritual underscores the theme of **Atonement and Cleansing**, demonstrating that reconciliation with God and restoration to community are achieved through prescribed sacrifices and purification rites. Furthermore, the anointing with oil points to **Consecration and Dedication**, showing that once cleansed, the individual is set apart for God's purposes, with their faculties (hearing, hands, feet) consecrated for a life of obedience and service. This ritual also foreshadows the **Mediatorial Role of the Priest**, who acts as God's agent in facilitating the restoration of the defiled to a state of purity and fellowship. The entire chapter, culminating in this verse, reinforces the principle that God provides a way for the unclean to become clean, enabling their full participation in the covenant community and their walk with Him.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rest (Hebrew, _yether'_):** From H3499, meaning "an overhanging, i.e. (by implication) an excess, superiority, remainder." In this context, it refers to the remaining portion of the oil that was presented before the Lord as part of the trespass offering ritual. This signifies that the oil is not just any oil, but sacred oil, a surplus from an offering already consecrated to God, now applied for the purpose of the individual's dedication.
* **Oil (Hebrew, _shemen'_):** From H8081, meaning "grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness." In biblical contexts, oil frequently symbolizes blessing, healing, prosperity, and consecration. It was used for anointing priests, kings, and prophets, signifying their being set apart for divine service and empowered by God's Spirit. Here, the application of oil signifies the sanctification and dedication of the cleansed individual, imparting a divine blessing and consecrating their faculties for God's purposes.
* **Cleansed (Hebrew, _ṭâhêr'_):** From H2891, a primitive root meaning "properly, to be bright; i.e. (by implication) to be pure (physical sound, clear, unadulterated; Levitically, uncontaminated; morally, innocent or holy); be (make, make self, pronounce) clean, cleanse (self), purge, purify(-ier, self)." This Hebrew verb denotes the comprehensive process of becoming ceremonially pure or clean. It signifies a transition from a state of ritual impurity (like that caused by _tzara'at_) to one of purity, enabling the individual to re-enter the sacred spaces of the community and participate in worship. The entire ritual of Leviticus 14 is designed to effect this comprehensive cleansing—physically, socially, and spiritually—restoring the individual to full covenant fellowship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And of the rest of the oil that [is] in his hand":** This phrase indicates that the oil used in this anointing is the remainder of the oil from the trespass offering ritual, which had already been presented before the Lord as a sacred offering. The priest, acting as God's representative, holds this consecrated oil, ready to apply it as part of the final purification and dedication.
* **"shall the priest put upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed":** The anointing of the right ear symbolizes the dedication of hearing and obedience. It signifies that the cleansed individual's ears are now consecrated to hear God's voice, to be attentive to His commands, and to live in a posture of spiritual responsiveness and submission to divine instruction, setting them apart for divine communication.
* **"and upon the thumb of his right hand":** The anointing of the right thumb represents the dedication of actions, work, and service. It signifies that the individual's hands, their capacity for labor, skill, and activity, are now consecrated to perform tasks that honor God and contribute to His purposes, reflecting a life of righteous deeds and productive service in the community.
* **"and upon the great toe of his right foot":** The anointing of the right great toe symbolizes the dedication of one's walk, path, and overall conduct. It signifies that the individual's entire life journey, their steps, and their moral choices are now consecrated to walk in God's ways, to follow His statutes, and to live a life aligned with His will, moving in paths of righteousness.
* **"upon the blood of the trespass offering":** This crucial concluding phrase emphasizes the sequence and foundation of the ritual. The oil is applied _upon_ the blood, meaning that the consecration and dedication symbolized by the oil are made possible only because of the prior atonement and purification achieved through the blood of the trespass offering. Cleansing (blood) precedes and enables consecration (oil); one cannot be truly dedicated to God without first being purified from sin and restored to a right relationship with Him.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 14:17 is rich in **Symbolism**. The **oil** itself is a potent symbol of blessing, healing, prosperity, and the divine Spirit. Its application to specific body parts—the right ear, right thumb, and right great toe—is a form of **metonymy** or **synecdoche**, where these prominent parts represent the whole person's faculties and actions: hearing and obedience, working and serving, walking and living. The consistent choice of the "right" side often signifies strength, prominence, or preferred action, underscoring the full and active dedication of the individual. The entire ritual demonstrates **Ritual Parallelism**, echoing the anointing of priests during their ordination, thereby elevating the status of the cleansed individual to one set apart for God's purposes. This meticulous and sequential application of blood followed by oil also illustrates **Progressive Revelation**, where physical rituals foreshadow deeper spiritual truths about atonement preceding sanctification, ultimately fulfilled in the New Covenant.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 14:17 powerfully illustrates God's desire for the holistic restoration and complete consecration of His people. It teaches that true dedication to God (symbolized by the oil) is not a self-initiated act but is always founded upon and made possible by His prior work of atonement and purification (symbolized by the blood). The meticulous nature of the ritual underscores God's holiness and His expectation of a consecrated life from those He has cleansed. This Old Covenant practice foreshadows the New Covenant reality where Christ's atoning work provides complete cleansing, enabling believers to be set apart by the Holy Spirit for a life of devoted obedience and service. The physical cleansing and anointing point to a spiritual reality of being made pure and then empowered for God's purposes.

* [Exodus 29:20](/exodus/29-20 "Exodus 29:20 - Anointing of Priests for Consecration")
* [1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing by Christ's Blood")
* [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Present Your Bodies as a Living Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific ritual of Leviticus 14:17 is no longer practiced today, having been fulfilled in Christ, its underlying principles remain profoundly relevant for believers. This verse calls us to recognize that our spiritual cleansing through Christ's atoning blood is the necessary prerequisite for a life of genuine consecration. Just as the cleansed Israelite had their ears, hands, and feet dedicated to God, so too are we called to surrender every faculty and aspect of our lives to Him. Our "ears" should be attuned to God's Word and His Spirit, eager to hear and obey, filtering out the distractions of the world. Our "hands" should be ready to perform good works, serving others, using our skills and resources for His kingdom, and reflecting His love in our actions. Our "feet" should walk in paths of righteousness, reflecting His character and purposes in every step of our journey, ensuring our direction aligns with His will. This passage challenges us to consider if our dedication to God is truly holistic, touching every part of our being, and if it is firmly rooted in the finished, atoning work of Christ, allowing His cleansing to empower our consecrated living.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the sequence of "blood first, then oil" in this ritual inform our understanding of salvation and sanctification in the Christian life?**
* **In what practical ways can we actively dedicate our "ears" (our listening), "hands" (our actions), and "feet" (our life's direction) to God's service today?**
* **What does this passage teach us about God's meticulous care for our holistic restoration and His expectation of a consecrated life from those He has cleansed?**

### FAQ
**Why were specific body parts (right ear, thumb, toe) chosen for the anointing?**

Answer: The choice of the right ear, right thumb, and right great toe for anointing is deeply symbolic, representing the dedication of the whole person's faculties and actions to God. The right side often signifies strength, prominence, or preferred action in Hebrew culture, emphasizing a full and active commitment. The ear symbolizes hearing and obedience to God's voice, indicating a life attentive to divine instruction. The thumb represents the work of one's hands and the actions performed, signifying dedication of one's labor, skill, and service to God's purposes. The great toe symbolizes one's walk, path, and overall conduct, indicating that one's entire life journey should be aligned with God's will and lived in righteousness. This comprehensive anointing signifies a holistic consecration of the individual's entire being—their thoughts, deeds, and lifestyle—to the Lord.

**How does the oil application "upon the blood" relate to the purpose of the trespass offering?**

Answer: The phrase "upon the blood of the trespass offering" is critically important. The trespass offering's blood, applied earlier in [Leviticus 14:14](/leviticus/14-14 "Leviticus 14:14 - Application of Blood of the Trespass Offering"), provides atonement and purification, making the individual ceremonially clean and restoring their relationship with God. The oil is then applied _over_ this cleansed state. This sequence signifies that consecration and dedication (symbolized by the oil) are not possible or effective without prior atonement and purification (symbolized by the blood). It teaches that one must first be cleansed from sin and reconciled to God before they can be truly consecrated and set apart for God's service. The blood deals with the past defilement and guilt, and the oil sets the stage for future holy living and empowered service.

**Is this ritual still relevant for Christians today?**

Answer: While the specific ritual of anointing with oil and blood for _tzara'at_ is no longer practiced by Christians, its underlying theological principles remain profoundly relevant. This passage teaches us about God's desire for holistic cleansing from sin, which is fully accomplished through the atoning sacrifice of [Jesus Christ](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Blood Purifies"). It also highlights that true spiritual consecration and dedication to God's service can only occur after the atoning work has been applied. As believers, we are cleansed by Christ's blood and then called to dedicate our entire lives—our hearing, our actions, and our walk—to Him, empowered by the indwelling [Holy Spirit](/romans/8-9 "Romans 8:9 - The Spirit of God Dwells in You"), who is often symbolized by oil in the New Testament. This ritual serves as a powerful illustration of the New Covenant reality where justification precedes and enables sanctification.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 14:17, with its meticulous ritual of blood preceding oil, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Covenant. Jesus Christ is the ultimate and perfect [Trespass Offering](/isaiah/53-10 "Isaiah 53:10 - Christ as a Guilt Offering"), whose shed blood provides complete and eternal purification from all sin, far surpassing any Old Testament sacrifice (cf. [Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Blood Cleanses Conscience")). Just as the oil was applied _upon_ the blood, signifying that consecration follows atonement, so too does the Holy Spirit—often symbolized by oil—indwell believers only after their cleansing by Christ's sacrifice (cf. [Romans 8:9-11](/romans/8-9 "Romans 8:9-11 - Indwelling of the Spirit")). Through Christ, we are not merely cleansed but also consecrated, set apart as a "royal priesthood" (cf. [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), empowered to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and good works (cf. [Hebrews 13:15-16](/hebrews/13-15-16 "Hebrews 13:15-16 - Sacrifices of Praise and Good Deeds")). Our ears are now opened to hear the voice of our Shepherd (cf. [John 10:27](/john/10-27 "John 10:27 - My Sheep Hear My Voice")), our hands are equipped for good works prepared beforehand by God (cf. [Ephesians 2:10](/ephesians/2-10 "Ephesians 2:10 - Created for Good Works")), and our feet are guided to walk by the Spirit, not by the flesh (cf. [Galatians 5:16](/galatians/5-16 "Galatians 5:16 - Walk by the Spirit")). Thus, the ancient ritual points to the glorious reality of a new life in Christ, where every part of our being is redeemed, consecrated, and empowered for God's glory.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Leviticus 14:14

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:

Ezekiel 36:27

And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do [them].

Leviticus 8:30

And Moses took of the anointing oil, and of the blood which [was] upon the altar, and sprinkled [it] upon Aaron, [and] upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon his sons' garments with him; and sanctified Aaron, [and] his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him.

Exodus 29:20

Then shalt thou kill the ram, and take of his blood, and put [it] upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and upon the tip of the right ear of his sons, and upon the thumb of their right hand, and upon the great toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about.

Exodus 29:21

And thou shalt take of the blood that [is] upon the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle [it] upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon the garments of his sons with him: and he shall be hallowed, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him.

1 Peter 1:2

Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

Titus 3:3

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, [and] hating one another.