Leviticus 14:15 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 14:15 mean?

Leviticus 14:15 describes a priest taking some oil and pouring it into the palm of his own left hand as part of a ritual. This action is one step in the process for cleansing someone who has been healed from a skin disease, according to the instructions given in the book of Leviticus.

In this verse, God is giving Moses detailed instructions for the priests about how to perform a purification ceremony. The setting is ancient Israel, where priests acted as mediators for ritual cleanliness. The oil, measured as a "log," is handled carefully by the priest, showing the importance of following each step exactly as described for the ritual to be valid.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 14:15

• "priest" (כֹּהֵן, kohen): This word refers specifically to the Israelite priest, who had the authority and responsibility to perform ritual ceremonies. Only a kohen could carry out these purification rites.
• "log" (לֹג, log): This is an ancient Hebrew unit of liquid measure, roughly equivalent to about a third of a pint or 0.3 liters. The use of a specific measure shows the precision expected in ritual practice.
• "oil" (שֶׁמֶן, shemen): Olive oil was commonly used in Israelite worship and ritual, symbolizing purity, blessing, or dedication.
• "palm" (כַּף, kaf): This word means the hollow or inside of the hand, emphasizing that the oil is poured into a specific part of the priest’s hand, not just anywhere.

Why Leviticus 14:15 matters

• This verse highlights the careful, step-by-step nature of Israelite ritual law, showing that every detail mattered in the process of making someone ritually clean.
• The focus on the priest’s own hand and the measured amount of oil underlines the priest’s active role and responsibility in the ceremony, not just as an observer but as a participant.
• Understanding this step helps clarify the larger process described in Leviticus 14, where ritual acts restore someone to the community after a period of exclusion due to illness.