Leviticus 14:16

In the ancient world, people often used olive oil to help with healing (see Isaiah 1:6; Luke 10:34). Its use here might symbolize healing and cleansing of the infection. This allowed the person to rejoin the community. It may also have represented a restored connection between God, the priest, and the worshiper.

To fully understand these verses about purifying infected people, read them with Leviticus 13:1–46.

Regarding regulations for infections, the idea of "normal" and "abnormal" is important (see “Clean, Unclean, and Holy” Theme Note). Infections in people, clothing, or buildings are not normal. They indicate disease and death. This is the opposite of wholeness. So, infections make a person ceremonially unclean.