Leviticus 17:11

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

For the life {H5315} of the flesh {H1320} is in the blood {H1818}: and I have given {H5414} it to you upon the altar {H4196} to make an atonement {H3722} for your souls {H5315}: for it is the blood {H1818} that maketh an atonement {H3722} for the soul {H5315}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for yourselves; for it is the blood that makes atonement because of the life.'

Berean Standard Bible

For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for your souls upon the altar; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.

American Standard Version

For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh atonement by reason of the life.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 17:11 stands as a pivotal declaration within the Mosaic Law, asserting that the very essence of life resides in the blood, which God divinely appointed for use on the altar to effect atonement for human souls. This verse establishes the foundational principle of substitutionary sacrifice, where the life-blood of an innocent offering serves as a covering for sin, making reconciliation possible between a holy God and sinful humanity, thereby prefiguring the ultimate, perfect sacrifice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 17 falls within a section of the Mosaic Law (chapters 17-27) that elaborates on the practical holiness required of Israel, particularly concerning worship and daily life. Following detailed instructions for various sacrifices in chapters 1-7 and the consecration of the priesthood in chapters 8-10, chapter 17 specifically addresses the proper place and manner of offering sacrifices, emphasizing that all animal slaughter for consumption or sacrifice must occur at the Tabernacle entrance. This ensures that the Israelites do not engage in unauthorized cultic practices and that the sanctity of life, particularly as it pertains to blood, is maintained. The prohibition against consuming blood, reiterated in this chapter, underscores the unique sacredness of blood as the carrier of life and its exclusive reservation for atonement.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Given to the ancient Israelites shortly after their exodus from Egyptian bondage and while they were encamped at the foot of Mount Sinai, these laws were designed to establish Israel as a holy nation, distinct from the pagan cultures surrounding them. In the ancient Near East, many cultures practiced various forms of blood rituals, some involving the consumption of blood for perceived life-force or communion with deities. God's emphatic command in [Leviticus 17:10](/leviticus/17-10 "Leviticus 17:10 - Prohibition of Blood Consumption") and [Leviticus 17:12](/leviticus/17-12 "Leviticus 17:12 - Strict Prohibition of Blood") against consuming blood, coupled with its exclusive designation for atonement on the altar, served to set Israel apart and underscore a radically different theological understanding. The Tabernacle, as the central place of worship, was where these divinely ordained rituals, including the annual [Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement"), were to be performed, ensuring a unified and consecrated approach to God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Life (Hebrew, _nephesh'_):** This word is often translated as "soul," "life," or "person." In this context, it refers to the animating principle, the very essence of being, the vitality that distinguishes a living creature. The declaration "the life of the flesh is in the blood" signifies that the blood is not merely a physical component but the vehicle or seat of this vital essence, making its shedding synonymous with the giving of life itself.
* **Blood (Hebrew, _dam'_): evidently):** Beyond its literal meaning as the bodily fluid, "blood" here carries profound theological weight. It is the sacred medium through which life is sustained and, crucially, the divinely appointed means by which atonement is made. Its sacredness is directly tied to its life-giving property, rendering it unsuitable for common consumption and uniquely fit for the sacred act of covering sin.
* **Atonement (Hebrew, _kaphar'_):** This verb means "to cover," "to purge," "to make reconciliation," or "to make propitiation." In the sacrificial system, it describes the act by which sin is covered or expiated, removing the guilt and defilement from the sight of God. It is not an erasure of sin from existence but a divine provision that allows a holy God to deal righteously with sin while extending mercy and restoring relationship with the sinner. The repetition of "maketh an atonement" emphasizes the singular efficacy and divine purpose of blood in this process.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the life of the flesh [is] in the blood":** This foundational statement establishes a profound connection between blood and life. It is not merely a biological observation but a theological declaration, asserting that blood is the very essence and carrier of life, making its shedding equivalent to the offering of a life. This principle underscores the sanctity of life as divinely given.
* **"and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls":** This clause reveals the divine origin and purpose of the sacrificial system. God Himself, in His sovereign grace, *gives* the blood as the means for atonement. The "altar" is the designated sacred space where this life-blood is offered, signifying a holy transaction between God and humanity. The purpose is "to make an atonement for your souls," indicating that the life of the animal is offered as a substitute for the life of the human sinner, covering their guilt before God.
* **"for it [is] the blood [that] maketh an atonement for the soul":** This final clause reiterates and reinforces the core message, emphasizing the exclusive and indispensable role of blood in the atonement process. The repetition serves to underscore that no other substance or action can achieve this covering for sin; it is uniquely the blood, representing the forfeited life, that accomplishes reconciliation and propitiation.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 17:11 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound theological truth. **Repetition** is prominently used with the word "blood" and the phrase "maketh an atonement for the soul," appearing multiple times to underscore the central role and singular efficacy of blood in the atonement process. This repetition serves to embed the principle deeply into the listener's understanding. The verse also utilizes **Divine Declaration**, as God Himself speaks directly ("I have given it to you"), lending absolute authority and weight to the command and revealing the sacrificial system as a divine provision, not a human invention. Furthermore, **Symbolism** is inherent throughout the verse: blood symbolizes life, sacrifice, and the means of purification, while the altar symbolizes the sacred place of encounter, judgment, and reconciliation. The entire verse functions as a **Profound Aphorism**, a concise statement of a fundamental truth that carries immense theological implications, setting the stage for understanding the entire sacrificial system and its ultimate fulfillment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 17:11 is a cornerstone verse for understanding the biblical concept of atonement, revealing God's profound reverence for life and His gracious provision for dealing with human sin. It establishes the principle of substitutionary atonement, where a life (represented by the blood) is offered in place of the sinner's life to cover guilt and restore fellowship with a holy God. This verse underscores that atonement is a divine initiative, a gift from God, rather than a human achievement. The sanctity of life, particularly as tied to the blood, is also a crucial theme, forbidding its common consumption and reserving it for sacred purposes. Ultimately, this Old Testament declaration serves as a powerful theological prefigurement, pointing forward to the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose shed blood would accomplish eternal redemption.

* [Genesis 9:4](/genesis/9-4 "Genesis 9:4 - Prohibition of Blood Consumption")
* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Necessity of Blood for Remission of Sins")
* [Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Propitiation Through Faith in Christ's Blood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 17:11, though rooted in the ancient Israelite sacrificial system, speaks profoundly to believers today, deepening our understanding of the immense cost of sin and the immeasurable grace of God. It reminds us that our salvation is not earned through our own efforts or good deeds, but is a precious gift, purchased by the life-blood of another—the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Meditating on this verse cultivates a profound sense of gratitude for Christ's finished work on the cross, illuminating the magnitude of His love and the depth of His redemptive act. It calls us to live lives of humble reverence and devoted obedience, recognizing that our lives are no longer our own but have been redeemed and consecrated to Him. Furthermore, the declaration that "the life of the flesh is in the blood" implicitly reinforces the sanctity of all human life, from conception to natural death, as life is uniquely tied to the blood and ultimately originates from God Himself. This should inspire us to cherish and protect life in all its forms.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the Old Testament emphasis on blood for atonement deepen your appreciation for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ?**
* **In what ways does the concept of "life in the blood" inform your view on the sanctity of human life today?**
* **If atonement is a divine gift, how should this truth shape your daily walk with God and your approach to sin?**

### FAQ
**Why was blood specifically chosen by God for atonement?**

Answer: God chose blood for atonement precisely because He declared that "the life of the flesh is in the blood." In the biblical worldview, blood is not merely a biological fluid but the very essence and carrier of life. Therefore, for a life to be given in place of another, it had to be represented by the shedding of blood. This made the act of sacrifice profoundly significant, symbolizing the forfeiture of life as the penalty for sin. God's choice underscored the gravity of sin, which demands a life, and simultaneously highlighted His gracious provision for covering that sin through a substitute. This divine decree also served to distinguish Israel from surrounding pagan cultures that might consume blood or use it in profane rituals, reserving it for the sacred purpose of atonement at the altar, as seen in [Leviticus 17:10-12](/leviticus/17-10 "Leviticus 17:10-12 - Strict Prohibition of Blood Consumption").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 17:11 finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament sacrificial system, with its repeated offerings of animal blood, served as a divine object lesson, a temporary provision that pointed forward to the once-for-all, perfect sacrifice of God's own Son. Just as the life of the animal was in its blood, and that blood was given for atonement, so too was the very life of Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), poured out on the cross. His precious blood, unlike that of bulls and goats, was capable of truly cleansing from sin, not merely covering it, because it was the blood of a sinless, divine-human mediator. The writer of Hebrews eloquently declares that [without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Necessity of Blood for Remission of Sins"), and then reveals that Christ entered the holy places "not through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, thus securing eternal redemption" ([Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Eternal Redemption Through Christ's Blood")). Therefore, the profound truth of Leviticus 17:11 culminates in the New Covenant, where believers are justified by Christ's blood ([Romans 5:9](/romans/5-9 "Romans 5:9 - Justification by Christ's Blood")) and have propitiation through faith in His blood ([Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Propitiation Through Faith in Christ's Blood")), demonstrating that the life offered for atonement was indeed the very life of God Incarnate.

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

Hebrews 9:22

And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

1 John 1:7

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Romans 3:25

Whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

Revelation 1:5

And from Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful witness, [and] the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

Mark 14:24

And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.

Genesis 9:4

But flesh with the life thereof, [which is] the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.

Matthew 26:28

For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.