Deuteronomy 15:23

KJV

Only thou shalt not eat the blood thereof; thou shalt pour it upon the ground as water.

KJV (with Strong's)

Only thou shalt not eat {H398} the blood {H1818} thereof; thou shalt pour {H8210} it upon the ground {H776} as water {H4325}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Just don't eat its blood, but pour it out on the ground like water.

Berean Standard Bible

But you must not eat the blood; pour it on the ground like water.

American Standard Version

Only thou shalt not eat the blood thereof; thou shalt pour it out upon the ground as water.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 15:23 delivers a profound and specific command within the Mosaic Law, prohibiting the consumption of blood from any animal slaughtered for food and mandating its return to the earth. This regulation transcends mere dietary restriction, serving as a foundational theological statement on the sanctity of life, which is intrinsically linked to the blood, and asserting God's ultimate sovereignty over all life. It reinforces Israel's covenant identity as a holy nation set apart by divine decree, embodying a deep reverence for the life-force that belongs solely to the Creator.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 15:23 appears within Moses' final addresses to the Israelites as they stand poised to enter the Promised Land, serving as a reiteration and expansion of the covenant laws previously given at Mount Sinai. Specifically, this verse concludes a section (Deuteronomy 15:19-23) dealing with the proper handling of firstborn male livestock dedicated to the Lord, which were to be eaten by the clean within the community. While the preceding verses focus on consecrated animals, verse 23 broadens the scope to *any* animal consumed for sustenance, whether sacrificed or simply slaughtered. This placement emphasizes the pervasive nature of the blood prohibition, applying universally to all meat consumption, thereby underscoring its fundamental importance beyond the sacrificial system.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Near East was replete with diverse religious practices, many of which involved the consumption of blood, often in pagan rituals associated with fertility, divination, or communion with deities. Such practices were anathema to Yahwistic worship. By strictly forbidding the consumption of blood and commanding its return to the ground, God established a clear distinction between Israel and its pagan neighbors. This command served not only to prevent syncretism but also to instill a unique reverence for life that contrasted sharply with the often-violent and life-disregarding customs of surrounding cultures, reinforcing Israel's identity as a holy people consecrated to the One True God.
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 15:23 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost among these is the **Sanctity of Life**, a principle deeply rooted in the biblical understanding that "the life of the flesh is in the blood" as articulated in [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Life of the Flesh is in the Blood"). This command also underscores the theme of **Holiness and Separation**, as God's people are called to be distinct from the nations, reflecting His own holy character in their daily lives and dietary practices, much like the broader dietary laws in [Leviticus 11](/leviticus/11 "Leviticus 11 - Clean and Unclean Animals"). Finally, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Ownership**, asserting that life, represented by the blood, ultimately belongs to God and must be treated with the utmost respect, returned to the earth as a tribute to the Creator, rather than appropriated by humans.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Blood (Hebrew, _dâm'_ H1818):** This term is central to the verse and carries immense theological weight throughout the Old Testament. _Dâm_ is consistently identified as the life-force of a creature (e.g., [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Life is in the Blood")). The prohibition against consuming _dâm_ is not merely a dietary rule but a profound theological statement acknowledging that life belongs to God alone. To consume the blood would be to appropriate life, an act reserved for the Creator.
* **Pour (Hebrew, _shâphak'_ H8210):** The verb _shâphak_ means "to spill forth," "to pour out," or "to shed." In this context, it denotes a deliberate, respectful act of returning the blood to the ground. This action is not one of casual disposal but a ritualistic acknowledgment that the life-force, once released from the animal, is to be given back to the earth, which God created and from which all life springs. It signifies a symbolic return to the divine source.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Only thou shalt not eat the blood thereof":** This clause establishes the absolute prohibition. The emphatic "Only" (Hebrew, _raq_) underscores the singular importance and strictness of this command. It is a direct, negative injunction against the consumption of blood, applying to all animals slaughtered for food, not just those offered in sacrifice. This prohibition is rooted in the sacredness of life, which God has declared to reside in the blood.
* **"thou shalt pour it upon the ground as water":** This second clause provides the prescribed method for handling the blood. The phrase "as water" (Hebrew, _kammayim_) is a simile indicating that the blood should be treated as something common and discarded, yet paradoxically, its disposal is a sacred act. It implies a complete and thorough draining, ensuring no blood is retained for consumption, and its return to the earth signifies its sacred nature and its ultimate belonging to God. It is not to be collected, stored, or utilized for human purposes, but returned to the dust from which life originated.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 15:23 employs several literary devices that enhance its meaning and impact. **Symbolism** is paramount, as blood serves as the primary symbol for life itself, a concept deeply ingrained in Israelite theology (e.g., [Genesis 9:4](/genesis/9-4 "Genesis 9:4 - Prohibition of Blood Consumption")). The act of pouring blood onto the ground is symbolic of returning life to its Creator, acknowledging God's ultimate sovereignty. The phrase "as water" functions as a **simile**, likening the act of pouring blood to the mundane act of pouring water. This seemingly simple comparison paradoxically elevates the act, emphasizing that the sacred substance (blood) is to be completely relinquished and not treated as something to be consumed or hoarded, but rather returned to the earth, becoming indistinguishable from a common liquid once it is absorbed. Furthermore, the command itself is an example of **legal prose**, characterized by its direct, imperative tone, underscoring the divine authority behind the instruction.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The command in Deuteronomy 15:23 is not an isolated dietary restriction but a foundational theological principle woven throughout the fabric of biblical revelation. It underscores God's absolute ownership of all life, asserting that the life-force, symbolized by the blood, belongs to Him alone and is not for human appropriation. This principle forms the bedrock for understanding the sacrificial system, where the shedding of blood represented the giving of life for atonement, a substitute life offered to God. By prohibiting the consumption of blood, God instilled in Israel a profound reverence for life and a constant reminder of the sanctity of the life-giving essence, preparing them to grasp the ultimate significance of a life given in sacrifice for sin. This divine decree also served to distinguish Israel from pagan nations, whose practices often involved the desecration or ritualistic consumption of blood, thus emphasizing Israel's unique covenant relationship and call to holiness.

* [Genesis 9:4](/genesis/9-4 "Noahic Covenant and Blood Prohibition")
* [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Life in the Blood for Atonement")
* [Acts 15:29](/acts/15-29 "Apostolic Decree on Abstaining from Blood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 15:23, while part of the Mosaic Law, offers timeless principles for believers today, even as the specific dietary regulations are understood differently in the New Covenant. At its heart, this verse calls us to a profound reverence for life itself, recognizing that all life is a sacred gift from God and belongs ultimately to Him. It challenges us to consider how we treat not only animal life but all forms of life, particularly human life, which is made in God's image. This command also serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of obedience to God's commands, even when their rationale may not be immediately apparent to us, trusting in His wisdom and His desire for our holiness. Furthermore, it deepens our appreciation for the sacrificial system, where the shedding of blood was central to atonement, pointing forward to the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice of Christ. Our response to God's commands should be one of humble submission and a desire to reflect His character in our lives, honoring the Giver of life in all our actions.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the biblical emphasis on the "life in the blood" inform your understanding of the sanctity of all life, both human and animal?**
* **In what ways might our modern society, which often distances itself from the realities of life and death, benefit from reflecting on the reverence for life expressed in this ancient command?**
* **How does the prohibition against consuming blood, and the command to return it to the earth, deepen your appreciation for God's sovereignty over life and death?**
* **Considering the New Testament's perspective on dietary laws, what enduring spiritual principles from Deuteronomy 15:23 remain relevant for Christians today?**

### FAQ

**Why was eating blood strictly forbidden in the Old Testament?**

Answer: The strict prohibition against consuming blood, reiterated multiple times in the Old Testament (e.g., [Genesis 9:4](/genesis/9-4 "Genesis 9:4 - Noahic Covenant"), [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - Life and Atonement"), [Deuteronomy 12:23](/deuteronomy/12-23 "Deuteronomy 12:23 - Life is the Blood")), was primarily for theological reasons, not merely health. The Bible explicitly states that "the life of the flesh is in the blood" ([Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Life of the Flesh")). Therefore, consuming blood would be seen as appropriating the life-force, which God declared belonged to Him alone. It was a constant reminder to Israel that life is sacred and a gift from God. Additionally, it served to distinguish Israel from surrounding pagan cultures who often incorporated blood consumption into their idolatrous rituals, emphasizing Israel's call to holiness and separation unto the Lord.

**Is the command to abstain from blood still applicable to Christians today?**

Answer: While Christians are not under the Mosaic ceremonial or dietary laws in the same way as ancient Israel (as affirmed in [Mark 7:19](/mark/7-19 "Mark 7:19 - Jesus Declares All Foods Clean") and [Romans 14:17](/romans/14-17 "Romans 14:17 - The Kingdom of God is Not Food and Drink")), the early church did specifically instruct Gentile converts to "abstain from things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood" ([Acts 15:29](/acts/15-29 "Acts 15:29 - Apostolic Decree")). This apostolic decree was likely a practical measure to facilitate fellowship between Jewish and Gentile believers, respecting the deep-seated Jewish conviction about blood's sanctity, and avoiding practices associated with paganism. For Christians today, while not a salvific requirement, the underlying principle of respecting the sanctity of life and avoiding practices that defile or dishonor God remains profoundly relevant. Many Christians choose to abstain from blood as a matter of conscience, recognizing its enduring symbolic significance and the historical precedent set by the early church.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 15:23, with its profound emphasis on the sanctity of blood as the essence of life and its commanded return to the earth, finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament prohibition against consuming blood, and the ritualistic pouring out of blood in sacrifices, consistently pointed to the truth that "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins" ([Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - No Forgiveness Without Blood")). Unlike the blood of animals, which could only temporarily cover sin, the precious blood of Jesus, shed on the cross, was the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice that truly atones for sin. His blood was not poured out "as water" to be discarded, but rather, it was poured out to purchase our redemption ([Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Ephesians 1:7 - Redemption Through His Blood")) and cleanse us from all unrighteousness ([1 John 1:7](/1_john/1-7 "1 John 1:7 - Cleansing by His Blood")). Through His voluntary giving of His life, symbolized by His shed blood, Jesus became the ultimate [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), providing eternal life and reconciliation with God for all who believe, transforming the ancient command into a vibrant reality of grace and new life in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 12:16

Only ye shall not eat the blood; ye shall pour it upon the earth as water.

Deuteronomy 12:23

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.

Leviticus 7:26

Moreover ye shall eat no manner of blood, [whether it be] of fowl or of beast, in any of your dwellings.

1 Samuel 14:32

And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew [them] on the ground: and the people did eat [them] with the blood.

Ezekiel 33:25

Wherefore say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Ye eat with the blood, and lift up your eyes toward your idols, and shed blood: and shall ye possess the land?