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Leviticus, 17

1. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

1. Yahweh said to Moses,

2. Speak unto Aaron, and unto his sons, and unto all the children of Israel, and say unto them; This [is] the thing which the LORD hath commanded, saying,

2. "Speak to Aaron, his sons and all the Israelites and say to them: This is what Yahweh has commanded:

3. What man soever [there be] of the house of Israel, that killeth an ox, or lamb, or goat, in the camp, or that killeth [it] out of the camp,

3. Any man from the house of Israel who kills an ox, or a lamb or a goat in the camp or outside the camp

4. And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer an offering unto the LORD before the tabernacle of the LORD; blood shall be imputed unto that man; he hath shed blood; and that man shall be cut off from among his people:

4. and does not bring it to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting to make an offering of it to Yahweh before the tabernacle of Yahweh - that man shall be considered guilty of bloodshed. He has shed blood and he shall be cut off from among his people.

5. To the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which they offer in the open field, even that they may bring them unto the LORD, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest, and offer them [for] peace offerings unto the LORD.

5. The reason for this ordinance is so that the sons of Israel may bring the sacrifices that they used to slay in the fields to Yahweh at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, to the priests, and sacrifice them as sacrifices of peace to Yahweh.

6. And the priest shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar of the LORD [at] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and burn the fat for a sweet savour unto the LORD.

6. The priest shall sprinkle the blood on the altar of Yahweh at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and burn the fat as a sweet-smelling offering to Yahweh.

7. And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring. This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations.

7. This way they shall no longer slay their sacrifices for the goat idols to whom they prostituted themselves. This is to be a lasting ordinance for them in the generations to come.

8. And thou shalt say unto them, Whatsoever man [there be] of the house of Israel, or of the strangers which sojourn among you, that offereth a burnt offering or sacrifice,

8. Then you shall give them this ordinance: Any man from the house of Israel or any alien living among them who offers a burnt offering or sacrifice

9. And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer it unto the LORD; even that man shall be cut off from among his people.

9. and does not bring it to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting to sacrifice it to Yahweh, that man shall be cut off from his people.

10. And whatsoever man [there be] of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people.

10. If any man from the house of Israel or any alien living among them eats blood, I will set my face against that person and I will cut him off from among his people.

11. For the life of the flesh [is] in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it [is] the blood [that] maketh an atonement for the soul.

11. For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you to rescue your life on the altar. Offered blood makes atonement because of the life within it. That is why I said to the sons of Israel: No one among you shall eat blood, nor may any alien who lives among you eat blood.

12. Therefore I said unto the children of Israel, No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood.

12. If any Israelite or any alien living among you snares in hunting any beast or bird that may be eaten,

13. And whatsoever man [there be] of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, which hunteth and catcheth any beast or fowl that may be eaten; he shall even pour out the blood thereof, and cover it with dust.

13. he shall pour out its blood and cover it with dust.

14. For [it is] the life of all flesh; the blood of it [is] for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh [is] the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off.

14. For the blood of every creature contains its life and I have therefore said to the people of Israel: You are not to eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is within its blood; whoever eats it shall be cut off.

15. And every soul that eateth that which died [of itself], or that which was torn [with beasts, whether it be] one of your own country, or a stranger, he shall both wash his clothes, and bathe [himself] in water, and be unclean until the even: then shall he be clean.

15. And every person who eats an animal that dies or that is torn by wild beasts, whether he be a native or an alien, shall wash his clothes and bathe in water and remain unclean until evening; then he will be purified.

16. But if he wash [them] not, nor bathe his flesh; then he shall bear his iniquity.

16. But if he does not wash his clothes or bathe his body, he shall carry his guilt."



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Footnotes:

17:1-4 - God commands that all sacrifices be made in the Tabernacle, not outside it. This reinforces the centrality of God's worship in the place He has chosen, ensuring the sanctity and purity of the sacrifice (see also Deuteronomy 12:5-6 and 1 Corinthians 10:21).

17:10-12 - Blood is forbidden as food because it represents life and must be reserved for the altar in atonement for sins. The sanctity of blood as a symbol of life emphasizes the value of human life and the need for atonement (see also Genesis 9:4 and Hebrews 9:22).

17:13-14 - When an animal is hunted and killed, the blood must be spilled on the ground and covered, symbolizing respect for God-given life. This commandment reinforces the sacredness of life in all its forms (see also Deuteronomy 12:16 and Psalm 72:14).

17:15-16 - Anyone who eats the meat of an animal found dead or torn to pieces must purify himself. This command highlights the importance of ritual purity and obedience to God's laws of holiness (see also Exodus 22:31 and Ezekiel 44:31).

Verses related to Leviticus, 17:

Leviticus chapter 17 establishes laws regarding blood and sacrifice. Why is blood so significant? This foundational text prohibits the consumption of blood and requires that all sacrifices be offered in the tabernacle. The chapter emphasizes the sanctity of life and the centrality of worshiping God. These laws highlight the role of blood in atonement and point to Christ's ultimate sacrifice. Ponder with us five biblical passages that reveal the deep spiritual meaning of these laws about blood and sacrifice.

Acts 15:20: "Instead, we should write to them to abstain from food contaminated by idols, sexual immorality, the flesh of strangled animals, and blood." - This decision by the Jerusalem Council reflects the blood laws found in Leviticus 17.

Hebrews 9:22: "Indeed, according to the law, almost all things are purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." - This verse summarizes the central principle of Leviticus 17 about the importance of blood in atonement.

1 Corinthians 10:20-21: "No! Before I say that what they offer is to demons and not to God. I don't want you to have communion with demons. You cannot drink both the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; They cannot participate at the Lord's table and at the table of demons." - Paul applies the principles of Leviticus 17 about sacrifices to the context of idolatry in Corinth.

Genesis 9:4: "Just don't eat meat with blood, which is life." - This commandment of Noah is the basis for the blood laws in Leviticus 17.

Ezekiel 33:25: "Therefore say to them: This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Since you eat meat with blood in it and turn to your idols and shed blood, should you possess the land?" - Ezekiel rebukes the people for violating the blood laws of Leviticus 17.

FAQ:

Why does God prohibit the consumption of blood in Leviticus 17?

Blood is considered sacred because it represents life. God commands that blood be reserved for the altar, where it is used to make atonement for sins. (Leviticus 17:10-11)

Where should sacrifices be offered according to Leviticus 17?

Sacrifices were to be offered only in the tabernacle, to avoid idolatrous practices and to ensure that the people followed the worship prescribed by God. (Leviticus 17:3-5)

What is the role of blood in the atonement?

Blood, representing life, is the means by which sins are atoned for. It is poured out on the altar to purify and reconcile the people to God. (Leviticus 17:11)

How does Leviticus 17 regulate the slaughter of animals?

Leviticus 17 instructs that all slaughter of animals, even for consumption, must take place in the tabernacle, reinforcing the sacred link between sacrifice and worship. (Leviticus 17:3-4)

What does Leviticus 17 teach about the relationship between sacrifice and idolatry?

The chapter prohibits sacrifices outside the tabernacle to prevent the Israelites from being drawn into idolatry, preserving the exclusive worship of God. (Leviticus 17:7-9)


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