from an unused root apparently meaning to deepen or hollow (like כַּד); a log or measure forliquids; log (of oil).
Transliteration:lôg
Pronunciation:lohg
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term לֹג (lôg), Strong's H3849, denotes a specific unit of liquid measurement. Its etymological root is described as unused, but it is conjectured to imply "to deepen" or "to hollow," suggesting a vessel or container from which the measure is derived. This aligns with the comparison provided in the base definition to כַּד (kad), a jar or pitcher. As a unit, the lôg represents a relatively small, precise volume of liquid, specifically identified in biblical usage as a measure for oil. Its semantic range is therefore quite narrow, confined primarily to its function as a standard of quantity within ritual contexts.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term לֹג (lôg) appears exclusively within the book of Leviticus, specifically in the detailed instructions concerning the purification ritual for a person cleansed of tzara'at (often translated as leprosy). Its occurrences are found in:
* [[Leviticus 14:10]]: Part of the offering for the cleansed person, requiring "one log of oil."
* [[Leviticus 14:12]]: The priest is to take "the log of oil" and wave it as a wave offering.
* [[Leviticus 14:15]]: The priest is to take some of "the log of oil" and put it on the earlobe, thumb, and big toe of the cleansed person.
* [[Leviticus 14:21]]: For the poor, a smaller offering includes "one log of oil" for the guilt offering.
* [[Leviticus 14:24]]: The priest is to take "the log of oil" and wave it as a wave offering for the poor person.
In all instances, the "log of oil" is an indispensable component of the purification ceremony. The meticulous nature of these instructions underscores the precision required in sacred rituals. The oil, measured to this exact quantity, is not only offered to the Lord but also applied directly to the body of the one being cleansed, signifying a comprehensive restoration and consecration.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary association of לֹג (lôg) is with other units of liquid measurement in the ancient Near East and within the biblical text, though it is one of the smallest. Other notable liquid measures include:
* `{{H3616}}` (kor): A much larger measure, often equivalent to a homer.
* `{{H3332}}` (hin): A liquid measure, typically 1/6 of a bath/ephah.
While `{{H3849}}` is distinct in its small volume, its function aligns with the broader system of weights and measures (`{{H4948}}` - middah) established for offerings and daily life in Israel. Conceptually, the lôg is intrinsically linked to:
* **Purification and Cleansing:** Its exclusive use in the leper's cleansing ritual highlights its role in restoring ritual purity.
* **Offerings and Atonement:** The oil is part of a guilt offering and a wave offering, pointing to the expiation of sin and dedication to God.
* **Anointing:** Oil frequently symbolizes anointing, consecration, and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
### Theological Significance
The "log of oil" holds profound theological significance, particularly within the context of the leper's purification. Leprosy, in the Old Testament, was not merely a physical ailment but a profound state of ritual impurity, often seen as a tangible manifestation of sin and separation from the community and from God's presence. The restoration process was therefore highly symbolic:
1. **Divine Precision and Order:** The exact measurement of the oil (a "log") underscores the meticulousness of God's law and the precise requirements for reconciliation and re-entry into the covenant community. God's grace is ordered and intentional.
2. **Symbolism of Oil:** Oil throughout Scripture represents anointing, healing, the Holy Spirit, and consecration. In this ritual, the oil applied to the earlobe, thumb, and big toe signifies the dedication of the *whole person*—their hearing (obedience), their actions (work of their hands), and their walk (path of life)—back to God. It marks a re-consecration of the individual for holy living.
3. **Atonement and Restoration:** The oil, as part of the guilt offering, points to the atoning work necessary for the cleansed individual. It is a tangible element in the process by which a person moves from a state of defilement and exclusion to one of purity and acceptance before God and the community. The small, precise measure might also suggest that even a modest but divinely ordained contribution is essential for complete restoration.
### Summary
The term לֹג (lôg), Strong's H3849, denotes a specific, small unit of liquid measurement, primarily for oil. Its sole biblical appearance is within the purification ritual for the cleansed leper in Leviticus, where "one log of oil" is a vital component of the offering and the anointing process. Theologically, the "log of oil" underscores the divine precision in matters of ritual purity, symbolizes the anointing and consecration of the whole person, and highlights the comprehensive nature of atonement and restoration required for re-entry into the holy community. It is a testament to the detailed and purposeful nature of God's covenant instructions.
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