Leviticus 14:16

Authorized King James Version

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

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְטָבַ֤ל
shall dip
to dip, to immerse
#2
הַכֹּהֵן֙
And the priest
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
#3
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
בְּאֶצְבָּע֛וֹ
finger
something to sieze with, i.e., a finger; by analogy, a toe
#5
הַיְמָנִ֔ית
his right
right (i.e., at the right hand)
#6
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#7
הַשֶּׁ֧מֶן
in the oil
grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness
#8
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#9
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#10
כַּפּ֖וֹ
hand
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
#11
הַשְּׂמָאלִ֑ית
that is in his left
situated on the left side
#12
וְהִזָּ֨ה
and shall sprinkle
to spirt, i.e., besprinkle (especially in expiation)
#13
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#14
הַשֶּׁ֧מֶן
in the oil
grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness
#15
בְּאֶצְבָּע֛וֹ
finger
something to sieze with, i.e., a finger; by analogy, a toe
#16
שֶׁ֥בַע
seven
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
#17
פְּעָמִ֖ים
times
a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)
#18
לִפְנֵ֥י
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#19
יְהוָֽה׃
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Leviticus Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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