Deuteronomy 12:23

23 Only do not eat meat with blood still in it, for the life is in the blood, and you must not eat the life with the meat. ¹

Deuteronomy 12:23 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 12:23

Only be sure that thou eat not the blood
This is repeated again, that they might be careful to observe the law concerning that:

for the blood is the life:
which is the reason given for the prohibition of it, (See Gill on Leviticus 17:11),

and thou mayest not eat the life with the flesh:
by which it seems that the meaning of the law was, that the blood might not be eaten in or with the flesh, but to be let out of it, or the fish not to be eaten raw, but dressed; for there were various laws about eating of blood, which are differently expressed.

Deuteronomy 12:23 In-Context

21 If the one place of worship is too far away, then, whenever you wish, you may kill any of the cattle or sheep that the Lord has given you, and you may eat the meat at home, as I have told you.

22 Anyone, ritually clean or unclean, may eat that meat, just as he would eat the meat of deer or antelope.

23 Only do not eat meat with blood still in it, for the life is in the blood, and you must not eat the life with the meat.

24 Do not use the blood for food; instead, pour it out on the ground like water.

25 If you obey this command, the Lord will be pleased, and all will go well for you and your descendants.

Cross References

• 1. 12.23, 24Leviticus 17.10-14.