Topical Encyclopedia In the Mosaic Law, specific rituals and offerings were prescribed for various circumstances, including the purification and atonement of a healed leper. This process is detailed in Leviticus 14, which outlines the ceremonial requirements for a person who has been cleansed of leprosy, a disease that rendered individuals ceremonially unclean and excluded them from the community.Biblical Context and Procedure Leviticus 14:1-32 provides the comprehensive procedure for the atonement and purification of a healed leper. The process begins with the priest going outside the camp to examine the individual. If the leprosy has indeed been healed, the priest initiates the purification ritual. The initial stage involves two live clean birds, cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop. One bird is slaughtered over fresh water in a clay pot, and the living bird, along with the cedar wood, scarlet yarn, and hyssop, is dipped in the blood of the slaughtered bird. The priest then sprinkles the blood seven times on the person to be cleansed and releases the living bird into the open field (Leviticus 14:4-7). Following this, the individual must wash their clothes, shave off all their hair, and bathe in water to become ceremonially clean. Afterward, they may re-enter the camp but must remain outside their tent for seven days (Leviticus 14:8). On the eighth day, further offerings are required: two male lambs without blemish, one ewe lamb without blemish, fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering, and a log of oil. The priest presents these offerings before the LORD at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. The priest then takes one male lamb for a guilt offering, along with the log of oil, and waves them as a wave offering before the LORD (Leviticus 14:10-12). The blood of the guilt offering is applied to the right earlobe, the thumb of the right hand, and the big toe of the right foot of the person being cleansed. The priest also pours some of the oil into his left palm and sprinkles it seven times before the LORD. The remaining oil is applied to the same places as the blood, symbolizing the complete cleansing and consecration of the individual (Leviticus 14:14-18). The sin offering and burnt offering are then made to atone for the individual, completing the purification process (Leviticus 14:19-20). Theological Significance The atonement for a healed leper underscores the gravity of sin and impurity under the Old Covenant. Leprosy, often seen as a symbol of sin, required a detailed and costly process for restoration, reflecting the holiness of God and the necessity of atonement for reconciliation with Him. The ritual highlights the importance of both physical and spiritual cleansing, pointing to the need for a mediator and the shedding of blood for the forgiveness of sins. In the New Testament, Jesus' healing of lepers (e.g., Luke 5:12-14) and His command for them to show themselves to the priests affirm the Law's requirements while also demonstrating His authority and compassion. These acts foreshadow the ultimate atonement through Christ's sacrifice, which fulfills and transcends the ceremonial laws of the Old Covenant, offering complete purification and reconciliation with God for all who believe. Torrey's Topical Textbook Leviticus 14:18And the remnant of the oil that is in the priest's hand he shall pour on the head of him that is to be cleansed: and the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Entire Sanctification in Type. Immeasurable Love Scriptural Types. The Glorious Master and the Swooning Disciple Resources What are the main arguments against limited atonement? | GotQuestions.orgLimited atonement-is it biblical? | GotQuestions.org Is the atonement of Christ unlimited? | GotQuestions.org Atonement: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Atonement for Tabernacle and Furniture Atonement for Those Defiled by the Dead Atonement in Consummation of the Levites Atonement: Day of How Observed Atonement: Made by Animal Sacrifices Atonement: Made by Jesus with Context Atonement: Made by Jesus: A Mystery Atonement: Made by Jesus: Divinely Ordained Atonement: Made by Jesus: Made But Once Atonement: Made by Jesus: Redemption By Atonement: Made by Jesus: Typified Atonement: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To The Atonement: Acceptable to God The Atonement: Access to God By The Atonement: Commemorated in the Lord's Supper The Atonement: Effected by Christ Alone The Atonement: Exhibits The: Grace and Mercy of God The Atonement: Exhibits The: Love of Christ The Atonement: Exhibits The: Love of God The Atonement: Faith In, Indispensable The Atonement: Has Delivered Saints from The: Power of Sin The Atonement: Has Delivered Saints from The: Power of the Devil The Atonement: Has Delivered Saints from The: Power of the World The Atonement: Justification By The Atonement: Ministers should Fully Set Forth The Atonement: Reconciles the Justice and Mercy of God The Atonement: Reconciliation to God Effected By The Atonement: Remission of Sins By The Atonement: Saints Glorify God For The Atonement: Saints Praise God For The Atonement: Saints Rejoice in God For The Atonement: Sanctification By the Day of Atonement: A Day of Humiliation the Day of Atonement: Atonement Made On for the High Priest the Day of Atonement: Atonement Made On for the Holy Place the Day of Atonement: Atonement Made On for the Whole Congregation the Day of Atonement: Observed As a Sabbath the Day of Atonement: Offerings to be Made On the Day of Atonement: Punishment for not Observing the Day of Atonement: Tenth Day of Seventh Month the Day of Atonement: The High Priest Entered Into the Holy Place On the Day of Atonement: The Sins of the People Borne off by the Scapegoat On the Day of Atonement: Year of Jubilee Commenced On Under the Law Atonement by Priests Alone Under the Law Atonement: Extraordinary Cases of Under the Law Atonement: Made by Sacrifice Under the Law Atonement: Necessary For: Propitiating God Under the Law Atonement: Necessary For: Purifying Under the Law Atonement: Necessary For: Ransoming Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: Persons Sinning Ignorantly Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: Persons Sinning Wilfully Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: Persons Swearing Rashly Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: Persons Unclean Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: Persons Withholding Evidence Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: The Altar Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: The Congregation Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: The Healed Leper Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: The Holy Place Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: The Leprous House Healed Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: The Priests Under the Law Atonement: Offered For: Women After Childbirth Under the Law Atonement: Typical of Christ's Atonement Related Terms |