And the priest shall sprinkle with his right finger some of the oil that is in his left hand seven times before the LORD:

LEVITICUS 14:27KJV
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Leviticus 14:27 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 14:27 mean?

Leviticus 14:27 describes how the priest, during a ritual for someone being cleansed, is to sprinkle oil with his right finger seven times before the LORD, using oil that he holds in his left hand. This action is part of a detailed ceremony for purification after a skin disease.

In this verse, God is giving instructions to Moses for the priests of Israel about how to perform a specific part of the cleansing ritual. The priest acts on behalf of the person who has been healed from a skin disease, using oil as a symbol of restoration and dedication. The number seven often represents completeness in the Bible, and the act is performed “before the LORD,” meaning in God’s presence, at the sanctuary.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 14:27

  • "Sprinkle" (נָזָה, nazah) means to scatter or splash, often used for ritual purification, showing this is a deliberate, sacred act.
  • "Right" (יָמִין, yamin) and "left" (שְׂמֹאל, semol) highlight the careful, prescribed way the ritual must be done—using the right finger and the left hand, showing attention to detail in worship.
  • "Seven" (שֶׁבַע, sheva) signals completeness or wholeness, underlining that this ritual is meant to fully restore the person in the eyes of the community and before God.

Why Leviticus 14:27 matters

  • This verse shows how detailed and careful the Old Testament rituals were, emphasizing that approaching God required specific actions and respect for sacred procedures.
  • The use of oil and the number seven connect this ritual to broader biblical themes of healing, wholeness, and dedication to God.
  • Understanding this verse helps clarify the larger process of purification in Leviticus 14, showing that restoration was both physical and spiritual for the person being cleansed.

Where else these words appear

“left” Hebrew H8042 · used in 9 verses

  • 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 14:26 And the priest shall pour of the oil into the palm of his own left hand:
  • 2 Chronicles 3:17 And he reared up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left; and called the name of that on the right hand Jachin, and the name of that on the left Boaz.

“right” Hebrew H3233 · used in 19 verses

  • 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.
  • Leviticus 14:25 And he shall kill the lamb of the trespass offering, and the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and 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:
  • 2 Chronicles 3:17 And he reared up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left; and called the name of that on the right hand Jachin, and the name of that on the left Boaz.

“sprinkle” Hebrew H5137 · used in 22 verses

  • 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.
  • Leviticus 14:7 And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field.
  • Numbers 19:4 And Eleazar the priest shall take of her blood with his finger, and sprinkle of her blood directly before the tabernacle of the congregation seven times:

“finger” Hebrew H676 · used in 28 verses

  • Exodus 8:19 Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.
  • Leviticus 9:9 And the sons of Aaron brought the blood unto him: and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar, and poured out the blood at the bottom of the altar:
  • Psalms 144:1 A Psalm of David. Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: