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Book of Leviticus - Chapter 14 - Verse 14

14:14
And the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and the priest shall 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:

Meaning

In this verse, it describes the ritual of cleansing for someone who has committed a trespass offering. The act of placing blood on the right ear, thumb, and toe symbolizes the cleansing of the entire person, both inside and outside. The right side of the body has long been associated with strength, righteousness, and power in ancient cultures. By placing the blood on these specific body parts, the person is not only physically purified but spiritually as well. The ear represents the person's ability to hear and listen to God's word, the thumb signifies their actions and deeds, and the toe symbolizes their walk and journey in life. This ritual emphasizes the importance of being cleansed from sin completely, leaving no part of the person untouched by the atonement of their wrongdoing. It serves as a reminder to be mindful of one's thoughts, actions, and journey in alignment with God's will.

Theological Overview

In the Old Testament book of Leviticus, the verse mentioned describes a detailed ritual involving a trespass offering for cleansing. The act of placing the blood on specific body parts - the right ear, thumb of the right hand, and the great toe of the right foot - holds significant theological symbolism. The right side often symbolizes strength, honor, and righteousness in biblical contexts. By applying the blood to these specific areas, it signifies a complete consecration of the individual to God. The right ear represents listening and obeying the word of God, the thumb of the right hand symbolizes actions and deeds done in accordance with God's will, and the great toe of the right foot signifies walking in the path of righteousness. This ritual serves as a powerful reminder for believers today to not only hear God's word but also to act upon it and walk in obedience to His commands.

American Standard Version

and the priest shall take of the blood of the trespass-offering, and the priest shall 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.
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