Leviticus 14:29

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the rest {H3498} of the oil {H8081} that is in the priest's {H3548} hand {H3709} he shall put {H5414} upon the head {H7218} of him that is to be cleansed {H2891}, to make an atonement {H3722} for him before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Finally, the cohen is to put the rest of the oil in his hand on the head of the person being purified, to make atonement for him before ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

The rest of the oil in his palm, the priest is to put on the head of the one to be cleansed, to make atonement for him before the LORD.

American Standard Version

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 atonement for him before Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 14:29 details a crucial step in the purification ritual for an individual healed from *tsara'at*, a severe skin affliction. Following the application of consecrated oil to specific extremities, the remaining oil in the priest's hand is placed upon the head of the cleansed person. This final anointing signifies the culmination of the purification process, completing the ritual of atonement and consecration, thereby restoring the individual to full communion with the community and a holy God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 14 provides the intricate, two-stage protocol for the purification of someone healed from *tsara'at*. The initial stage (verses 1-9) occurs outside the camp and involves a bird sacrifice, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, hyssop, and ritual bathing, culminating in the shaving of all hair. The second stage (verses 10-32), performed at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, involves a complex series of sin offerings, guilt offerings, burnt offerings, and grain offerings. Leviticus 14:29 specifically concludes the application of the consecrated oil from the guilt offering. Preceding this verse, the priest applies oil to the right earlobe, right thumb, and right big toe of the cleansed individual, symbolizing the consecration of their hearing, actions, and walk (see [Leviticus 14:17](/leviticus/14-17 "Leviticus 14:17 - Application of Oil to Extremities")). The placement of the remaining oil on the head in verse 29 signifies a comprehensive anointing, completing the ritual and encompassing the entire person.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The purification laws in Leviticus were central to Israel's covenant relationship with God, emphasizing holiness and separation from impurity. *Tsara'at* (often translated as "leprosy") was not merely a physical ailment but carried significant ritual impurity, rendering the afflicted person ceremonially unclean and excluded from the community and the tabernacle. This exclusion highlighted the seriousness of sin and impurity in the presence of a holy God. The elaborate cleansing ritual, therefore, was not merely for physical healing but primarily for ritual restoration, allowing the individual to re-enter the camp and participate in worship. The use of oil in anointing was a common practice in the ancient Near East, often signifying consecration, blessing, or appointment, as seen in the anointing of priests and kings (e.g., [Exodus 29:7](/exodus/29-7 "Exodus 29:7 - Anointing of Aaron") and [1 Samuel 10:1](/1_samuel/10-1 "1 Samuel 10:1 - Saul's Anointing")). Here, the oil's application signifies the divine setting apart and restoration of the individual.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Atonement (Hebrew, _kaphar'_):** This verb means "to cover," "to purge," "to make propitiation," or "to make reconciliation." In the context of the Old Testament sacrificial system, *kaphar* signifies the act by which God's wrath against sin or impurity is appeased, and the defilement is covered or removed, allowing for reconciliation and restoration of relationship between a holy God and an impure individual. Here, the oil's application is part of the comprehensive process that achieves this covering for the one cleansed from *tsara'at*.
* **Oil (Hebrew, _shemen'_):** In this ritual, *shemen* refers to a special, consecrated oil, distinct from common oil used for daily purposes. It was part of the guilt offering, signifying its sacred purpose and the divine provision for cleansing and consecration. Throughout Scripture, oil often symbolizes blessing, prosperity, healing, and, most significantly, the anointing of the Holy Spirit (e.g., [Isaiah 61:1](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1 - Anointing for Ministry")). Its application here underscores the spiritual nature of the cleansing and the imparting of God's grace.
* **Head (Hebrew, _rosh'_):** The head is often seen as representing the entire person, the seat of thought, identity, and leadership. The final application of the oil to the head, after the extremities, signifies a complete and holistic consecration and atonement, encompassing the individual's entire being—their thoughts, intentions, and very essence. It marks the culmination of the process, signifying that the person is fully cleansed and restored from head to toe.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the rest of the oil that is in the priest's hand":** This phrase emphasizes that the oil used for this final anointing is not new oil, but the remainder of the consecrated oil from the guilt offering that was previously applied to the ear, thumb, and toe. This continuity underscores the unity and progression of the cleansing ritual, where each step builds upon the previous one with the same sacred substance.
* **"he shall put upon the head of him that is to be cleansed":** This action signifies the culmination of the anointing. After consecrating the individual's senses (ear), actions (thumb), and walk (toe), the anointing of the head completes the process, symbolizing the full consecration and restoration of the entire person. The head, as the highest point of the body, represents the whole individual and their identity.
* **"to make an atonement for him before the LORD":** This is the ultimate purpose and theological significance of the entire ritual, and specifically this final application of oil. The phrase "before the LORD" indicates that this act is performed in God's presence and is acceptable to Him. The atonement achieved through this process, which includes the sacrifices and the anointing, covers the impurity of *tsara'at*, allowing the individual to be reconciled with God and reintegrated into the holy community.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 14:29, within the broader context of the cleansing ritual, employs significant **Symbolism**. The oil itself is a potent symbol of consecration, blessing, and divine presence. Its application to specific body parts—the ear, thumb, and toe—symbolically represents the consecration of the individual's entire being: their hearing (what they listen to), their actions (what they do), and their walk (where they go and how they live). The final application to the head completes this symbolic act, signifying a comprehensive, "head-to-toe" purification and dedication. The phrase "to make an atonement for him before the LORD" is a clear statement of **Purpose**, emphasizing that every intricate step of the ritual is ultimately aimed at reconciliation with a holy God. The meticulous detail in the instructions throughout Leviticus 14 also serves as a form of **Emphasis**, underscoring the gravity of ritual impurity and the divine precision required for restoration.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 14:29 encapsulates profound theological truths about God's meticulous care for holiness and His gracious provision for restoration. The elaborate ritual for *tsara'at* highlights that sin and impurity create a barrier between humanity and a holy God, necessitating a divinely prescribed means of reconciliation. The comprehensive application of the consecrated oil, culminating on the head, signifies a holistic cleansing and consecration, touching every aspect of the individual's life. This act of atonement, performed by the priest, underscores the necessity of mediation to bridge the gap between human defilement and divine purity. It points to God's initiative in providing a way for the unclean to become clean, for the outcast to be brought back into fellowship, and for the defiled to be made acceptable "before the LORD."

* [Leviticus 16:30](/leviticus/16-30 "Leviticus 16:30 - Day of Atonement")
* [Hebrews 9:13-14](/hebrews/9-13 "Hebrews 9:13-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")
* [1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing by Christ's Blood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The ancient ritual of cleansing from *tsara'at*, culminating in the anointing of the head, offers timeless principles for our spiritual lives. It reminds us that God is deeply concerned with our holistic purity and provides a comprehensive way for us to be reconciled to Him. Just as the individual in Leviticus needed a priest to mediate their cleansing, we, too, require a mediator for our spiritual defilement. The detailed nature of the ritual underscores that true restoration is not superficial but involves every part of our being—our thoughts, words, and actions. This verse challenges us to consider what areas of our lives still need God's cleansing touch and consecration. It invites us to embrace the fullness of God's provision for atonement, recognizing that His grace extends to every aspect of our existence, making us wholly acceptable in His sight.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I experience the need for "atonement" or reconciliation in my life today, whether from past mistakes, ongoing struggles, or broken relationships?**
* **How does the symbolism of the oil, applied from extremities to the head, encourage me to seek holistic spiritual cleansing and consecration in my own life?**
* **What does this ancient ritual teach me about the meticulous care and gracious provision of God for those who are impure or separated from Him?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of applying the oil to the head after the extremities?**

Answer: The application of the consecrated oil to the head, after it had been applied to the right earlobe, right thumb, and right big toe (as described in [Leviticus 14:17](/leviticus/14-17 "Leviticus 14:17 - Application of Oil to Extremities")), signifies the completion and comprehensiveness of the purification and consecration ritual. The extremities symbolize the individual's senses, actions, and walk, while the head often represents the entire person, the seat of thought, identity, and leadership. By anointing the head, the priest ensures that the entire individual, from head to toe, is fully cleansed, consecrated, and restored "before the LORD." It marks the culmination of the process, indicating a holistic transformation and acceptance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 14:29, with its emphasis on atonement through priestly mediation and the anointing of oil, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The *tsara'at* sufferer's need for a comprehensive cleansing and anointing points forward to humanity's deeper need for spiritual cleansing from the defilement of sin. Jesus, as our Great High Priest, did not merely apply oil but offered His own body as the perfect and final sacrifice, making a complete and eternal atonement for our sins (see [Hebrews 9:11-12](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-12 - Christ, Our High Priest")). The anointing of the head with oil, symbolizing consecration and the Spirit, foreshadows the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon believers, who are now "in Christ" fully cleansed and set apart for God. Through Christ's work, we are not just ritually clean but spiritually reborn, receiving the anointing of the Holy Spirit that marks us as God's own (as promised in [2 Corinthians 1:21-22](/2_corinthians/1-21 "2 Corinthians 1:21-22 - God's Anointing and Seal")). The comprehensive nature of the oil's application—from extremities to the head—beautifully illustrates that Christ's redemptive work covers every part of our being, making us wholly acceptable and enabling us to live a life consecrated to God, empowered by His Spirit (see [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifice")).

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 14:18

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.

1 John 2:1

¶ My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

1 John 2:2

And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world.

John 17:19

And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

1 John 5:6

¶ This is he that came by water and blood, [even] Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

Exodus 30:15

The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when [they] give an offering unto the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls.

Exodus 30:16

And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls.