Definition: And the rest of the oil that [is] in the priest’s hand he shall put upon the head of him that is to be cleansed, to make an atonement for him before the LORD.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Leviticus 14:29. It's a really important and somewhat complex passage about how animals are handled in the Old Testament. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a specific ritual for cleaning and preparing an animal for sacrifice – specifically, a lamb or goat – before it is offered to God. It’s about acknowledging a sin and making amends through a symbolic act of atonement. Let's look at the parts: “And the rest of the oil that [is] in the priest’s hand he shall put upon the head of him that is to be cleansed…” – This means the priest carefully applies oil (often called "oil of consecration" or “oil of purification”) to the animal's head. The rest of the oil refers to any other oils used in the ritual. "...to make an atonement for him before the LORD." - This is the crucial part. The priest is essentially symbolically offering a "tonal" – a sacrifice – to God. It’s not that the animal is actually being sacrificed, but it's a way of saying: “I acknowledge that I have sinned and need forgiveness.” It’s about making amends for something wrong. What does this all mean in practice? Historically, this ritual was part of a larger process for dealing with animals that were considered unclean – animals that had been sacrificed to other gods or that were tainted by sin. The oil acted as a protective barrier and a sign of repentance and purity. It was meant to ensure the animal would be accepted into God's presence and be offered in a way that would bring about forgiveness. Important Context: The "Cleaned" Animal: This verse primarily applies to young male lambs and goats, which were considered sacred animals for worship. Symbolism: It’s a powerful symbolic representation of the need for repentance and acknowledging sin before God. In short, this verse describes a ritual that acknowledges and seeks forgiveness through a symbolic act of offering – a small sacrifice to God. --- Do you want me to explain any part of this further? For example, would you like me to: Explain the historical context more deeply? Discuss the symbolism in more detail?