King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Ye shall not eat [any thing] with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times.
Complete Jewish Bible:
"'Do not eat anything with blood. Do not practice divination or fortune-telling.
Berean Standard Bible:
You must not eat anything with blood still in it. You must not practice divination or sorcery.
American Standard Version:
Ye shall not eat anything with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantments, nor practise augury.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Ye shall not eat{H398} any thing with the blood{H1818}: neither shall ye use enchantment{H5172}, nor observe times{H6049}.
Cross-References (KJV):
2 Kings 17:17
- And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
Deuteronomy 18:10
- There shall not be found among you [any one] that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, [or] that useth divination, [or] an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
Deuteronomy 18:14
- For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so [to do].
2 Chronicles 33:6
- And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.
2 Kings 21:6
- And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke [him] to anger.
Leviticus 17:10
- ¶ 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.
Leviticus 17:14
- 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.
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Commentary for Leviticus 19:26
Leviticus 19:26 is part of the Holiness Code within the book of Leviticus, which outlines various laws and ethical guidelines for the Israelites. The verse reads, "Ye shall not eat [any thing] with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times." This verse addresses three distinct prohibitions that reflect the religious and cultural practices of the time and the Israelites' need to distinguish themselves from their pagan neighbors.
Firstly, the command not to eat anything with the blood is rooted in the belief that the life of the animal is in its blood (Leviticus 17:11). This prohibition is linked to the sanctity of life and is a continuation of the dietary laws that set the Israelites apart from other nations, emphasizing the importance of life and the need to respect it even in the consumption of food. Blood was to be drained from an animal before it was eaten, a practice still observed in Jewish kosher laws.
Secondly, the prohibition against using enchantment is a directive against engaging in magical practices or sorcery. In the ancient world, such practices were common and were believed to manipulate supernatural forces. The Israelites were instructed to avoid such practices, which were associated with the worship of other gods and the occult. This commandment reinforced the exclusive worship of Yahweh and the rejection of pagan rituals and beliefs.
Lastly, the phrase "neither shall ye observe times" is understood to refer to the avoidance of divination or astrology, which were methods of foretelling the future or determining auspicious times for actions based on celestial events or other omens. This practice was also associated with pagan religions and was forbidden as it could lead the Israelites away from trusting in God's providence and guidance.
In summary, Leviticus 19:26 reflects the broader themes of holiness, separation, and exclusive worship of Yahweh that are central to the book of Leviticus. It calls the Israelites to a distinctive lifestyle that honors God's holiness by avoiding practices related to pagan worship, the occult, and the consumption of blood, thereby setting a moral and ritual standard that would come to define the religious identity of the Israelite community.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- 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. - 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. - Strong's Number: H5172
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָחַשׁ
Transliteration: nâchash
Pronunciation: naw-khash'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to hiss, i.e. whisper a (magic) spell; generally, to prognosticate; [idiom] certainly, divine, enchanter, (use) [idiom] enchantment, learn by experience, [idiom] indeed, diligently observe. - Strong's Number: H6049
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָנַן
Transliteration: ʻânan
Pronunciation: aw-nan'
Description: a primitive root; to cover; used only as a denominative from עָנָן, to cloud over; figuratively, to act covertly, i.e. practise magic; [idiom] bring, enchanter, Meonemin, observe(-r of) times, soothsayer, sorcerer.