Leviticus 17

King James Version

Full text for Leviticus Chapter 17

1¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

2Speak 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,

3What 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,

4And 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:

5To 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.

6And 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.

7And 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.

8And 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,

9And 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.

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.

11For 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.

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

13And 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.

14For [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.

15And 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.

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

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Leviticus 17 establishes strict laws concerning the proper location for animal sacrifices and the consumption of blood. It commands that all animals intended for sacrifice must be brought to the Tabernacle door to prevent unauthorized worship and idolatry. Furthermore, the chapter strictly forbids eating blood, emphasizing that the life of the flesh is in the blood, which is designated for atonement. Violations of these commands result in the offender being cut off from their people.

Medium Summary

Leviticus 17 outlines divine commands given through Moses regarding the proper handling of animal sacrifices and blood. The LORD mandates that any Israelite or sojourner killing an ox, lamb, or goat must bring it to the Tabernacle door for offering, thereby centralizing worship and preventing sacrifices to devils. A severe prohibition is placed on consuming any blood, as the scripture declares that "the life of the flesh is in the blood," and it is given upon the altar for atonement. Those who eat blood, or fail to bring sacrifices to the Tabernacle, are to be cut off from their people. Additionally, the blood of hunted animals must be poured out and covered with dust. The chapter concludes with regulations for those who eat animals that died naturally or were torn, requiring them to wash and bathe to become clean.

Long Summary

Leviticus 17 begins with the LORD instructing Moses to command Aaron, his sons, and all Israel concerning the proper place for sacrifices. Any Israelite or stranger who kills an ox, lamb, or goat, whether in or out of the camp, must bring it to the door of the Tabernacle of the congregation to offer it to the LORD. Failure to do so is considered shedding blood, and the individual shall be cut off from their people. This centralization of sacrifice aims to prevent the children of Israel from offering their sacrifices to devils, a practice they had previously engaged in. This command is declared a perpetual statute. The chapter then introduces a strict prohibition against eating any manner of blood, applicable to both Israelites and sojourners. The LORD declares He will set His face against anyone who eats blood and will cut them off. The theological basis for this prohibition is explicitly stated: "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." Therefore, no soul among them, nor any stranger, shall eat blood. Furthermore, when any Israelite or stranger hunts and catches an edible beast or fowl, they are commanded to pour out its blood and cover it with dust, reiterating that the blood is the life of all flesh. Eating such blood also incurs the penalty of being cut off. Finally, the chapter addresses the consumption of animals that died naturally or were torn by beasts. Any person, whether native or stranger, who eats such meat must wash their clothes and bathe in water, remaining unclean until the evening, after which they become clean. Failure to perform these purification rites results in bearing their iniquity.

Core Concepts

  • Centralization of SacrificeThe command for all animal sacrifices (ox, lamb, goat) to be brought exclusively to the Tabernacle door. This prevents unauthorized worship and offerings to 'devils,' ensuring proper ritual and devotion to the LORD.
  • Prohibition of Blood ConsumptionA strict decree forbidding the eating of any animal blood, applicable to both Israelites and sojourners. This is a fundamental law with severe consequences for disobedience.
  • Blood for AtonementThe theological rationale behind the blood prohibition, stating that 'the life of the flesh is in the blood,' and it is specifically given upon the altar to make atonement for souls. This highlights the sacred purpose of blood in the sacrificial system.
  • Consequences of DisobedienceRepeated emphasis on being 'cut off from among his people' for violating the laws regarding unauthorized sacrifices or blood consumption. This signifies excommunication or divine judgment.
  • Handling of Hunted GameSpecific instruction for hunters to pour out the blood of any caught beast or fowl and cover it with dust. This reinforces the sanctity of blood even outside of sacrificial contexts.
  • Purity from Unclean MeatRegulations for those who eat animals that died naturally or were torn by beasts, requiring ritual washing and bathing to remove impurity. This addresses ritual uncleanness rather than moral transgression.