Leviticus17

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.

Centralization of Worship and Slaughter

1
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
2
“Speak to Aaron, and to his sons, and to all the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘This is the thing which the LORD has commanded,
3
Whatever man there is of the house of Israel, who kills a bull, or lamb, or goat, in the camp, or who kills it outside the camp, ​
4
and hasn’t brought it to the door of the Tent of Meeting, to offer it as an offering to the LORD before the LORD’s tabernacle: blood shall be imputed to that man. He has shed blood; and that man shall be cut off from among his people. ​
5
This is to the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which they sacrifice in the open field, that they may bring them to the LORD, to the door of the Tent of Meeting, to the priest, and sacrifice them for sacrifices of peace offerings to the LORD. ​
6
The priest shall sprinkle the blood on the altar of the LORD at the door of the Tent of Meeting, and burn the fat for a pleasant aroma to the LORD.
7
They shall no more sacrifice their sacrifices to the goat idols, after which they play the prostitute. This shall be a statute forever to them throughout their generations.’ ​
8
“You shall say to them, ‘Any man there is of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who live as foreigners among them, who offers a burnt offering or sacrifice,
9
and doesn’t bring it to the door of the Tent of Meeting, to sacrifice it to the LORD; that man shall be cut off from his people.

The Sacred Prohibition Against Eating Blood

10
“‘Any man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who live as foreigners among them, who eats any kind of blood, I will set my face against that soul who eats blood, and 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 on the altar to make atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that makes atonement by reason of the life. ​
12
Therefore I have said to the children of Israel, “No person among you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger who lives as a foreigner among you eat blood.”
13
“‘Whatever man there is of the children of Israel, or of the strangers who live as foreigners among them, who takes in hunting any animal or bird that may be eaten; he shall pour out its blood, and cover it with dust. ​
14
For as to the life of all flesh, its blood is with its life: therefore I said to the children of Israel, “You shall not eat the blood of any kind of flesh; for the life of all flesh is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off.”

Purity Laws for Eating Carrion

15
“‘Every person that eats what dies of itself, or that which is torn by animals, whether he is native-born or a foreigner, he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening: then he shall be clean. ​
16
But if he doesn’t wash them, or bathe his flesh, then he shall bear his iniquity.’” ​

Study Notes for Leviticus 17

Verse 3

This law mandated that any animal slaughtered for consumption (ox, lamb, or goat) must be brought to the Tabernacle door. This ensured that all meat consumption was under priestly oversight, preventing unauthorized sacrifices.

Verse 4

Unauthorized slaughter was considered blood guilt, a serious offense punishable by being 'cut off' (excommunication or death). The goal was to centralize worship and prevent the people from sacrificing in pagan ways.

Verse 5

The primary intent was to redirect sacrifices previously offered in unauthorized locations ('open field') back to the legitimate place of worship, ensuring that all offerings were properly dedicated to the LORD.

Verse 7

The 'devils' (Hebrew: *se'irim*, meaning 'hairy ones' or 'goat-demons') refers to pagan deities or spirits, often associated with satyr-like figures, worshipped by surrounding cultures.

Verse 10

This law is directed against the consumption of blood, a universal prohibition applying to both Israelites and resident aliens. The severe consequence ('set my face against') indicates divine judgment.

Verse 11

This verse provides the theological foundation for the prohibition: blood represents the life (*nephesh*) of the creature. God reserved the life-principle (blood) exclusively for use on the altar to make atonement for human souls.

Verse 13

Even when hunting wild game, the blood must be properly drained and covered with dust. This ritual ensures that the sacred element of life is respected and not consumed, even outside the Tabernacle context.

Verse 15

Eating an animal that died naturally (carrion, which would retain its blood) caused ritual uncleanness, requiring ceremonial washing but not the severe penalty of 'cut off.' This is a matter of ritual purity rather than willful sacrilege.

Verse 16

Neglecting the required purification rituals (washing clothes and bathing) means the person remains unclean and 'bears his iniquity,' possibly incurring ritual exclusion or divine discipline.

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