And the priest shall take one he lamb, and offer him for a trespass offering, and the log of oil, and wave them for a wave offering before the LORD:

LEVITICUS 14:12KJV
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Leviticus 14:12 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 14:12 mean?

Leviticus 14:12 describes how the priest is to take a male lamb and a specific amount of oil, then present them as a special offering before God as part of the ritual for someone being cleansed from a skin disease. This act is part of a detailed process for restoring a person to full participation in the community and worship.

In this verse, God is giving instructions to Moses for the priests, explaining exactly what they must do when someone is being purified after a skin disease. The priest acts on behalf of the person, taking a "he lamb" for a "trespass offering" and a "log" (a set measure) of oil, and waving them before the LORD as a symbolic gesture. This ritual is one step in a longer process meant to mark the person’s restoration.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 14:12

  • הַכֹּהֵן (ha-kohen, H3548): This word means "the priest." The priest is the one who performs the ritual, showing that the process is official and done on behalf of the community.
  • כֶּבֶשׂ (keves, H3532): This is the word for "lamb." The use of a young male lamb is specific and points to the seriousness and value of the offering.
  • אָשָׁם (asham, H817): Translated as "trespass offering," this word refers to a type of sacrifice made for guilt or wrongdoing, even though in this context it is about ritual impurity rather than moral failure.
  • לֹג (log, H3849): This is a Hebrew measure of liquid, about a third of a pint, used here for the oil. It shows the ritual’s precision and attention to detail.
  • תְּנוּפָה (tenufah, H8573): This means "wave offering," a ritual gesture where the items are moved before the LORD, symbolizing presentation and dedication.

Why Leviticus 14:12 matters

  • This verse clarifies that restoration after impurity involved both sacrifice and ritual actions, not just a declaration of health.
  • The mention of a "trespass offering" shows that ritual impurity was treated with the same seriousness as moral guilt, emphasizing the importance of holiness in all areas of life.
  • The detailed instructions connect this ritual to the broader system of offerings in Leviticus, helping the reader see how physical and spiritual restoration were linked in ancient Israel.

Where else these words appear

“log” Hebrew H3849 · used in 5 verses

  • Leviticus 14:10 And on the eighth day he shall take two he lambs without blemish, and one ewe lamb of the first year without blemish, and three tenth deals of fine flour for a meat offering, mingled with oil, and one log of oil.
  • Leviticus 14:15 And the priest shall take some of the log of oil, and pour it into the palm of his own left hand:
  • Leviticus 14:21 And if he be poor, and cannot get so much; then he shall take one lamb for a trespass offering to be waved, to make an atonement for him, and one tenth deal of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering, and a log of oil;

“offering” Hebrew H8573 · used in 28 verses

  • Exodus 29:24 And thou shalt put all in the hands of Aaron, and in the hands of his sons; and shalt wave them for a wave offering before the LORD.
  • Leviticus 8:29 And Moses took the breast, and waved it for a wave offering before the LORD: for of the ram of consecration it was Moses' part; as the LORD commanded Moses.
  • Numbers 6:20 And the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD: this is holy for the priest, with the wave breast and heave shoulder: and after that the Nazarite may drink wine.

“wave” Hebrew H5130 · used in 35 verses

  • Exodus 20:25 And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.
  • Leviticus 23:11 And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.
  • Joshua 8:31 As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.

“offering” Hebrew H817 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 26:10 And Abimelech said, What is this thou hast done unto us? one of the people might lightly have lien with thy wife, and thou shouldest have brought guiltiness upon us.
  • Leviticus 7:37 This is the law of the burnt offering, of the meat offering, and of the sin offering, and of the trespass offering, and of the consecrations, and of the sacrifice of the peace offerings;
  • Numbers 18:9 This shall be thine of the most holy things, reserved from the fire: every oblation of theirs, every meat offering of theirs, and every sin offering of theirs, and every trespass offering of theirs, which they shall render unto me, shall be most holy for thee and for thy sons.