The rest of the oil in his palmIn the ancient Israelite sacrificial system, oil was a symbol of consecration and the Holy Spirit. The priest's use of oil signifies the setting apart of the individual for God's purposes. The oil remaining in the priest's palm after the initial application to the ear, thumb, and toe of the cleansed person indicates a surplus of God's provision and blessing.
the priest is to put on the head of the one to be cleansed
The anointing of the head with oil is a significant act, symbolizing the complete purification and sanctification of the individual. In biblical times, anointing the head was often associated with kingship and priesthood, suggesting a restoration to a state of honor and dignity. This act foreshadows the anointing of Jesus Christ, the ultimate High Priest, who cleanses believers from sin.
to make atonement for him
Atonement is a central theme in Leviticus, emphasizing reconciliation between God and humanity. The Hebrew word for atonement, "kaphar," means to cover or to make reconciliation. This act of atonement signifies the removal of impurity and the restoration of the individual to a right relationship with God. It prefigures the atoning work of Christ, who provides the ultimate covering for sin through His sacrifice.
before the LORD
The phrase "before the LORD" underscores the presence and authority of God in the ritual. It indicates that the cleansing and atonement are not merely ceremonial but are performed in the sight of God, who is the ultimate judge and redeemer. This reflects the biblical principle that all acts of worship and purification are to be conducted with reverence and accountability to God.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The PriestA mediator between God and the people, responsible for performing the cleansing rituals and making atonement.
2.
The One to be CleansedAn individual who has been afflicted with a skin disease (often translated as leprosy) and is undergoing the purification process.
3.
The LORDThe covenant God of Israel, who provides the means for atonement and restoration.
4.
The OilSymbolic of the Holy Spirit and anointing, used in the ritual to signify purification and consecration.
5.
The TabernacleThe place where the rituals are performed, representing God's presence among His people.
Teaching Points
The Role of the PriestThe priest acts as a mediator, pointing to Christ as our ultimate High Priest who intercedes for us.
Symbolism of OilOil represents the Holy Spirit's work in cleansing, healing, and consecrating believers for God's service.
Atonement and RestorationThe ritual underscores the need for atonement and the restoration of fellowship with God, fulfilled in Christ.
Holiness and PurityThe cleansing process highlights God's call for His people to be holy and pure, set apart for His purposes.
Community and WorshipThe restoration of the cleansed individual to the community and worship life of Israel reflects the importance of communal faith and worship.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Leviticus 14:18?
2.How does Leviticus 14:18 illustrate God's provision for spiritual and physical cleansing?
3.What role does the priest play in the cleansing process in Leviticus 14:18?
4.How does Leviticus 14:18 connect to Jesus' role as our High Priest?
5.How can we apply the principles of cleansing in Leviticus 14:18 today?
6.What does the "atonement for him" in Leviticus 14:18 teach about sin's seriousness?
7.What is the significance of the priest's role in Leviticus 14:18 for modern believers?
8.How does Leviticus 14:18 reflect the concept of atonement in the Old Testament?
9.Why is the anointing with oil important in Leviticus 14:18, and what does it symbolize?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 14?
11.In Leviticus 9:7-8, how can the idea that priests make atonement for the people be squared with Hebrews 10:4, which says animal sacrifices can't truly remove sin?
12.Why would God specifically prescribe ritual sacrifices (Leviticus 14:10-20) as a means of ceremonial cleansing, while other passages in Scripture suggest different requirements for purity?
13.How historically accurate is the claim in Leviticus 21:1-4 that any contact with the dead (apart from immediate family) defiled a priest?
14.How are we cleansed from all unrighteousness?What Does Leviticus 14:18 Mean
The rest of the oil in his palm• In the ritual for cleansing a person once afflicted with a skin disease, the priest first pours some of the log of oil into his left hand (Leviticus 14:15-16). What remains after the initial sprinkling is “the rest of the oil.”
• Oil in Scripture regularly symbolizes the Holy Spirit’s sanctifying presence (1 Samuel 16:13;Zechariah 4:6). Just as the oil is literal, so is the picture: after forgiveness is pronounced, there is still more of God’s work to be applied.
• The fact that the oil stays in the priest’s palm highlights that this grace comes from God through His appointed mediator (cf.Hebrews 5:1-3).
the priest is to put on the head of the one to be cleansed• By placing the oil on the head, the priest publicly identifies the formerly unclean person as accepted and restored. The head represents the whole person (Psalm 133:2).
• This act follows the earlier application of oil to the right ear, thumb, and big toe (Leviticus 14:17), moving from specific faculties to the entire life.
• The sequence mirrors our salvation experience: God first touches individual areas, then claims the whole self (Romans 12:1-2).
• The priest alone performs the action, pointing forward to Christ, our High Priest, who “is able to save to the uttermost” (Hebrews 7:25).
to make atonement for him before the LORD• “Atonement” (covering, reconciliation) underscores that cleansing from leprosy is not merely physical but deeply spiritual (Isaiah 53:5).
• Placing oil on the head signals that the atonement already achieved by the blood (Leviticus 14:14) is now applied and enjoyed.
• The phrase “before the LORD” reminds us that every true cleansing must satisfy God’s righteous standard (Romans 3:25-26).
• Together, blood and oil foreshadow the cross and the Spirit: Christ pays the price, and the Spirit seals the benefit (1 John 5:6-8;Ephesians 1:13-14).
summaryLeviticus 14:18 shows the priest using the remaining oil to crown the cleansed person, portraying the comprehensive reach of God’s redemption. The literal act assures Israel—and us—that once sin is forgiven through sacrifice, the Lord also anoints, restores, and publicly affirms the believer, completing the circle of atonement in His presence.
(18)
He shall pour upon the head.--That which remains of the oil in the hollow of the priest's hand after some of it had been sprinkled seven times before the Lord, and after some had been put on the several organs of the leper's body, the priest is
to put,not "pour," upon the convalescent's head--the quantity left in the hand not being sufficient to pour--whilst the bulk of the log from which the hollow handful has been taken was the perquisite of the officiating priests, and, like the flesh of the sacrifices, had to be consumed within the sacred precincts.
And the priest shall make an atonement.--According to the canons which obtained during the second Temple, it was the act of putting the oil on the several organs, but more especially on the head, which effected the atonement of the restored leper. Failing to do this, even if the prescribed sacrifices had been offered, no expiation was made. The atonement was made for the sins which brought leprosy upon the sinner.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
The restוְהַנּוֹתָ֗ר(wə·han·nō·w·ṯār)Conjunctive waw, Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3498:To jut over, exceed, to excel, to remain, be left, to leave, cause to abound, preserveof the oilבַּשֶּׁ֙מֶן֙(baš·še·men)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8081:Grease, liquid, richnessin hisעַל־(‘al-)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstpalm,כַּ֣ף(kap̄)Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3709:Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a panthe priestהַכֹּהֵ֔ן(hak·kō·hên)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548:Priestis to putיִתֵּ֖ן(yit·tên)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414:To give, put, setonעַל־(‘al-)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstthe headרֹ֣אשׁ(rōš)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7218:The headof the one to be cleansed,הַמִּטַּהֵ֑ר(ham·miṭ·ṭa·hêr)Article | Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2891:To be clean or pureto make atonementוְכִפֶּ֥ר(wə·ḵip·per)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3722:To cover, to expiate, condone, to placate, cancelfor himעָלָ֛יו(‘ā·lāw)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstbeforeלִפְנֵ֥י(lip̄·nê)Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440:The facethe LORD.יְהוָֽה׃(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel
Links
Leviticus 14:18 NIVLeviticus 14:18 NLTLeviticus 14:18 ESVLeviticus 14:18 NASBLeviticus 14:18 KJV
Leviticus 14:18 BibleApps.comLeviticus 14:18 Biblia ParalelaLeviticus 14:18 Chinese BibleLeviticus 14:18 French BibleLeviticus 14:18 Catholic Bible
OT Law: Leviticus 14:18 The rest of the oil that (Le Lv Lev.) 
