Deuteronomy 12:23

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Only be sure that thou eat not the blood: for the blood [is] the life; and thou mayest not eat the life with the flesh.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Just take care not to eat the blood, for the blood is the life, and you are not to eat the life with the meat.

Berean Standard Bible:

Only be sure not to eat the blood, because the blood is the life, and you must not eat the life with the meat.

American Standard Version:

Only be sure that thou eat not the blood: for the blood is the life; and thou shalt not eat the life with the flesh.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Only be sure^{H2388} that thou eat^{H398} not the blood^{H1818}: for the blood^{H1818} is the life^{H5315}; and thou mayest not eat^{H398} the life^{H5315} with the flesh^{H1320}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Deuteronomy 12:23

1. **Themes:**
- **Prohibition of Consuming Blood:** Deuteronomy 12:23 emphasizes the prohibition against consuming blood, a common theme throughout the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament). This command is rooted in the belief that the life of a creature is in its blood, making it sacred.
- **Sanctity of Life:** The verse reflects the idea that life is sacred and is not to be taken lightly. By avoiding the blood, the Israelites were to acknowledge and respect the life that was taken for food.
- **Ritual Purity:** The prohibition also serves the purpose of maintaining ritual purity within the community. The consumption of blood was associated with pagan practices, so abstaining from it was a way to distinguish the Israelites from neighboring peoples.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Mosaic Law:** This verse is part of the Mosaic Law, given to the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings after the exodus from Egypt. These laws were meant to guide the religious and social life of the Israelite community as they prepared to enter the Promised Land.
- **Canaanite Influence:** The command to abstain from blood may also be understood as a response to the religious practices of the Canaanites, who were known to consume blood as part of their rituals. The Israelites were instructed to avoid such practices to maintain their distinct identity as a people set apart for God.
- **Covenantal Stipulations:** Deuteronomy is presented as a series of speeches by Moses, reiterating the law to the new generation before they enter Canaan. The book is structured as a covenant treaty, with Deuteronomy 12 marking the beginning of stipulations regarding worship and proper conduct in the land they are about to possess.

In summary, Deuteronomy 12:23 addresses the theme of life's sanctity by prohibiting the consumption of blood, which was central to maintaining the ritual purity and distinct identity of the Israelites as they prepared to live in accordance with God's covenant in the Promised Land.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H2388
   There are 266 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָזַק
   Transliteration: châzaq
   Pronunciation: khaw-zak'
   Description: a primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer; aid, amend, [idiom] calker, catch, cleave, confirm, be constant, constrain, continue, be of good (take) courage(-ous, -ly), encourage (self), be established, fasten, force, fortify, make hard, harden, help, (lay) hold (fast), lean, maintain, play the man, mend, become (wax) mighty, prevail, be recovered, repair, retain, seize, be (wax) sore, strengthen (self), be stout, be (make, shew, wax) strong(-er), be sure, take (hold), be urgent, behave self valiantly, withstand.
   
2. Strong's Number: H398
   There are 825 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָכַל
   Transliteration: ʼâkal
   Pronunciation: aw-kal'
   Description: a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively); [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite.
   
3. Strong's Number: H1818
   There are 295 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּם
   Transliteration: dâm
   Pronunciation: dawm
   Description: from דָּמַם (compare אָדַם); blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshed (i.e. drops of blood); blood(-y, -guiltiness, (-thirsty), [phrase] innocent.
   
4. Strong's Number: H5315
   There are 683 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נֶפֶשׁ
   Transliteration: nephesh
   Pronunciation: neh'-fesh
   Description: from נָפַשׁ; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental); any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it.
   
5. Strong's Number: H1320
   There are 241 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָּשָׂר
   Transliteration: bâsâr
   Pronunciation: baw-sawr'
   Description: from בָּשַׂר; flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of aman; body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-) kind, [phrase] nakedness, self, skin.