Leviticus 19:26

KJV

Ye shall not eat [any thing] with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times.

KJV (with Strong's)

Ye shall not eat {H398} any thing with the blood {H1818}: neither shall ye use enchantment {H5172}, nor observe times {H6049}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 19:26 issues a threefold prohibition against practices antithetical to Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh: eating meat with the blood, engaging in divination, and observing omens. This verse, embedded within the Holiness Code, underscores God's call for His people to be distinct from the pagan nations around them, emphasizing the sanctity of life, the sole authority of God in revealing truth, and the necessity of exclusive trust in Him rather than in occultic or superstitious practices.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 19 is a pivotal chapter, often termed the "Holiness Code," which elaborates on the foundational command given in [Leviticus 19:2](/leviticus/19-2 "Leviticus 19:2 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy") for Israel to "be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy." Following the detailed instructions for offerings and priesthood in earlier chapters, this section shifts to practical applications of holiness in daily life, covering ethical, social, and ritual laws. Verse 26 is situated among a series of prohibitions against various pagan customs and immoral behaviors, including idolatry ([Leviticus 19:4](/leviticus/19-4 "Leviticus 19:4 - Prohibition Against Idolatry")), sexual immorality ([Leviticus 19:20-22](/leviticus/19-20 "Leviticus 19:20-22 - Laws Concerning Adultery")), and even specific agricultural practices ([Leviticus 19:19](/leviticus/19-19 "Leviticus 19:19 - Mixing Kinds")). The immediate verses leading up to 19:26 deal with the proper consumption of fruit from newly planted trees ([Leviticus 19:23-25](/leviticus/19-23 "Leviticus 19:23-25 - Fruit of the Land")), highlighting a broader theme of sanctifying all aspects of life and land to God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Near East was a melting pot of diverse religious and cultural practices, many of which involved rituals and beliefs that were anathema to Yahwism. The prohibition against eating "with the blood" directly countered common pagan sacrificial meals where blood might be consumed or meat eaten while blood was still present, often believed to impart life force or commune with deities. Such practices were prevalent among the Canaanites, Egyptians, and other surrounding peoples. Similarly, the commands against "enchantment" and "observing times" directly target various forms of divination, sorcery, and fortune-telling that were widespread. These included seeking omens from animal entrails, consulting spirits of the dead (necromancy), interpreting celestial phenomena (astrology), or relying on superstitious signs. The book of [Deuteronomy 18:9-14](/deuteronomy/18-9 "Deuteronomy 18:9-14 - Abominable Practices of the Nations") provides a more extensive list of such forbidden practices, emphasizing that God's people were to be distinct and not to imitate the "detestable practices" of the nations whose land they were entering. Israel was called to rely solely on God's revealed word and His prophets for guidance, not on the unreliable and illicit methods of the occult.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Blood (Hebrew, _dam_):** In the Old Testament, "blood" is intrinsically linked to "life" ([Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Life is in the Blood")). The prohibition against eating "with the blood" (literally "on the blood" or "over the blood," `al ha-dam`) likely refers to a pagan ritual where blood was consumed or meat eaten while the blood was still in it, often in a ritualistic context to gain power or commune with a deity. This practice was a direct affront to God's declaration that blood was reserved for atonement on the altar, not for common consumption, thus upholding the sanctity of life as belonging to God alone.
* **Enchantment (Hebrew, _nachash_):** This term refers to various forms of divination, seeking omens, or using spells. The root `nachash` can also mean "serpent," hinting at the deceptive and insidious nature of such practices, reminiscent of the serpent's deception in [Genesis 3](/genesis/3 "Genesis 3 - The Fall of Man"). It encompasses practices like augury (interpreting omens from natural phenomena) and the use of charms or incantations.
* **Observe times (Hebrew, _anan_):** This word is associated with practicing divination, interpreting omens, or cloud-gazing for signs. It specifically refers to fortune-telling, astrology, and superstitious reliance on specific times or events for guidance. It implies a reliance on hidden knowledge or supernatural forces other than God, thereby undermining His sovereignty and exclusive claim to reveal truth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Ye shall not eat [any thing] with the blood":** This clause forbids the consumption of meat that still contains its blood, or more specifically, participating in pagan rituals where blood was consumed or where meat was eaten "over" or "on" the blood, implying a ritualistic act designed to connect with other deities or to gain life force. It reinforces the sacredness of blood as the carrier of life, which belongs to God and is reserved for atonement.
* **"neither shall ye use enchantment":** This prohibits all forms of divination, sorcery, and the seeking of omens. It condemns attempts to gain secret knowledge or manipulate events through illicit means, emphasizing that God alone is the source of all true wisdom and guidance.
* **"nor observe times":** This final prohibition targets practices like fortune-telling, astrology, and any superstitious reliance on specific days, seasons, or celestial events to predict the future or make decisions. It underscores the call for Israel to trust solely in God's providence and His revealed will, rather than seeking knowledge from unreliable and forbidden sources.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 19:26 employs **Commandment** as its primary literary device, presenting direct, unequivocal prohibitions. The use of **Parallelism** is evident in the two negative commands regarding occult practices ("neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times"), which reinforce each other and underscore the comprehensive rejection of such activities. The verse also utilizes **Metonymy** where "blood" stands for "life" itself, emphasizing the sacredness of life that belongs to God. The prohibitions collectively function as a form of **Contrast**, sharply distinguishing Israelite worship and practice from the idolatrous and superstitious customs of the surrounding pagan nations, thereby defining the boundaries of their distinct holiness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 19:26 is a powerful declaration of God's demand for exclusive devotion and distinct holiness from His people. It establishes fundamental theological principles: the sanctity of life, the sole authority of God as the revealer of truth, and the absolute necessity of trusting Him alone. By prohibiting practices common in the pagan world, God calls Israel to a radical separation, not merely in ritual, but in worldview and lifestyle. This separation was meant to demonstrate His unique character and their unique relationship with Him, highlighting that true guidance and power come only from the Lord, not from occultic manipulation or superstitious beliefs. This commitment to God's holiness permeated all aspects of their existence, underscoring that their identity as God's chosen people was defined by their ethical and spiritual integrity.

* [Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Life is in the Blood")
* [Deuteronomy 18:10-12](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Deuteronomy 18:10-12 - Abominations to the Lord")
* [Isaiah 8:19-20](/isaiah/8-19 "Isaiah 8:19-20 - Consult the Law and the Testimony")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 19:26, though rooted in ancient Israelite context, resonates deeply with timeless principles for believers today. It calls us to a profound reverence for life, recognizing its sacred origin and ultimate belonging to God. This principle extends beyond dietary laws to encompass our ethical stances on life issues, challenging us to honor life in all its stages. More overtly, the prohibitions against enchantment and observing times serve as a stark warning against any practice that seeks knowledge, power, or guidance from sources other than God. In a world saturated with horoscopes, spiritualism, and various forms of New Age mysticism, this verse commands us to place our absolute trust in God's revealed Word and His sovereign will. Our faith should be unwavering, seeking wisdom through prayer, scripture, and godly counsel, rather than succumbing to superstitions or the allure of hidden knowledge. Ultimately, this passage is a call to live distinctly, demonstrating our exclusive devotion to the one true God in a world that constantly offers alternative sources of truth and security.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be subtly seeking guidance or security from sources other than God's Word and His Spirit?**
* **How does the principle of the sanctity of life, as seen in the prohibition against consuming blood, inform my ethical decisions and worldview today?**
* **What modern-day "enchantments" or "observing times" (e.g., superstitions, reliance on horoscopes, unbiblical spiritual practices) do I need to guard against in my own life or in the broader culture?**
* **How can I better demonstrate my exclusive trust in God's sovereignty and His provision in my daily life?**

### FAQ

**What does "eat [any thing] with the blood" specifically mean, and is it still relevant for Christians today?**

Answer: The phrase "eat with the blood" (Hebrew: `al ha-dam`) likely refers to two related practices: consuming meat that has not been properly drained of its blood, or, more significantly, participating in pagan rituals where blood was consumed or where meat was eaten "over" or "on" the blood, often as a means to commune with other deities or to gain life force. This was a direct violation of God's command that the life (blood) belonged to Him and was reserved for atonement ([Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Life is in the Blood")). For Christians, the specific dietary prohibition regarding blood is part of the Old Covenant ceremonial law, which is not binding in the same way under the New Covenant ([Acts 15:20](/acts/15-20 "Acts 15:20 - Apostolic Decree on Gentile Converts")). However, the underlying principle of respecting the sacredness of life, which blood symbolizes, remains profoundly relevant. It calls us to reverence all life as God's creation and to avoid any practice that devalues or misuses it.

**Why were "enchantment" and "observing times" so strongly forbidden?**

Answer: "Enchantment" (Hebrew: _nachash_) and "observing times" (Hebrew: _anan_) were strongly forbidden because they represented attempts to gain knowledge, power, or control over the future through means other than God. These practices, common in pagan cultures, involved divination, sorcery, consulting omens, astrology, and fortune-telling. God's prohibition was a call for Israel to place their complete trust in Him alone as the sovereign Lord and the sole source of truth and guidance. Relying on such illicit practices was seen as an act of spiritual adultery, diverting allegiance from Yahweh to false gods or deceptive spirits ([Deuteronomy 18:9-14](/deuteronomy/18-9 "Deuteronomy 18:9-14 - Abominable Practices of the Nations")). It undermined the unique relationship God desired with His people, where He would speak to them directly through His Word and His prophets ([Numbers 12:6-8](/numbers/12-6 "Numbers 12:6-8 - God Speaks to Prophets")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 19:26, with its prohibitions against pagan practices and its emphasis on the sanctity of life, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. The prohibition against eating with the blood foreshadows the profound truth that "the life is in the blood" ([Leviticus 17:11](/leviticus/17-11 "Leviticus 17:11 - The Life is in the Blood")), a principle fully realized in Christ's atoning sacrifice. His shed blood on the cross is not for common consumption, but for the forgiveness of sins and the giving of eternal life ([Matthew 26:28](/matthew/26-28 "Matthew 26:28 - Blood of the Covenant"); [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Without the Shedding of Blood")). Through His perfect sacrifice, Jesus became the ultimate means of atonement, rendering all other ritualistic uses of blood obsolete. Furthermore, the commands against enchantment and observing times point to Christ as the sole source of all wisdom, knowledge, and revelation. Unlike pagan diviners who sought hidden truths from unreliable sources, believers in Christ find all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden in Him ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - Treasures of Wisdom in Christ")). He is the true Prophet, through whom God has spoken His final and complete Word ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son")). Therefore, our reliance is not on omens or superstitions, but on the living Christ, who guides us by His Spirit and His Word ([John 16:13](/john/16-13 "John 16:13 - The Spirit of Truth")). In Him, we are called to be a holy people, set apart from the world's deceptive practices, living in exclusive trust and devotion to the One who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")).

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

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.