Leviticus 17

1 et locutus est Dominus ad Mosen dicens

2 loquere Aaron et filiis eius et cunctis filiis Israhel et dices ad eos iste est sermo quem mandavit Dominus dicens

3 homo quilibet de domo Israhel si occiderit bovem aut ovem sive capram in castris vel extra castra

4 et non obtulerit ad ostium tabernaculi oblationem Domino sanguinis reus erit quasi sanguinem fuderit sic peribit de medio populi sui

5 ideo offerre debent sacerdoti filii Israhel hostias suas quas occidunt in agro ut sanctificentur Domino ante ostium tabernaculi testimonii et immolent eas hostias pacificas Domino

6 fundetque sacerdos sanguinem super altare Domini ad ostium tabernaculi testimonii et adolebit adipem in odorem suavitatis Domino

7 et nequaquam ultra immolabunt hostias suas daemonibus cum quibus fornicati sunt legitimum sempiternum erit illis et posteris eorum

8 et ad ipsos dices homo de domo Israhel et de advenis qui peregrinantur apud vos qui obtulerit holocaustum sive victimam

9 et ad ostium tabernaculi testimonii non adduxerit eam ut offeratur Domino interibit de populo suo

10 homo quilibet de domo Israhel et de advenis qui peregrinantur inter eos si comederit sanguinem obfirmabo faciem meam contra animam illius et disperdam eam de populo suo

11 quia anima carnis in sanguine est et ego dedi illum vobis ut super altare in eo expietis pro animabus vestris et sanguis pro animae piaculo sit

12 idcirco dixi filiis Israhel omnis anima ex vobis non comedet sanguinem nec ex advenis qui peregrinantur inter vos

13 homo quicumque de filiis Israhel et de advenis qui peregrinantur apud vos si venatione atque aucupio ceperit feram vel avem quibus vesci licitum est fundat sanguinem eius et operiat illum terra

14 anima enim omnis carnis in sanguine est unde dixi filiis Israhel sanguinem universae carnis non comedetis quia anima carnis in sanguine est et quicumque comederit illum interibit

15 anima quae comederit morticinum vel captum a bestia tam de indigenis quam de advenis lavabit vestes suas et semet ipsum aqua et contaminatus erit usque ad vesperum et hoc ordine mundus fiet

16 quod si non laverit vestimenta sua nec corpus portabit iniquitatem suam

Leviticus 17 Commentary

Chapter 17

All sacrifices to be offered at the tabernacle. (1-9) Eating of blood, or of animals which died a natural death, forbidden. (10-16)

Verses 1-9 All the cattle killed by the Israelites, while in the wilderness, were to be presented before the door of the tabernacle, and the flesh to be returned to the offerer, to be eaten as a peace-offering, according to the law. When they entered Canaan, this only continued in respect of sacrifices. The spiritual sacrifices we are now to offer, are not confined to any one place. We have now no temple or altar that sanctifies the gift; nor does the gospel unity rest only in one place, but in one heart, and the unity of the Spirit. Christ is our Altar, and the true Tabernacle; in him God dwells among men. It is in him that our sacrifices are acceptable to God, and in him only. To set up other mediators, or other altars, or other expiatory sacrifices, is, in effect, to set up other gods. And though God will graciously accept our family offerings, we must not therefore neglect attending at the tabernacle.

Verses 10-16 Here is a confirmation of the law against eating blood. They must eat no blood. But this law was ceremonial, and is now no longer in force; the coming of the substance does away the shadow. The blood of beasts is no longer the ransom, but Christ's blood only; therefore there is not now the reason for abstaining there then was. The blood is now allowed for the nourishment of our bodies; it is no longer appointed to make an atonement for the soul. Now the blood of Christ makes atonement really and effectually; to that, therefore, we must have regard, and not consider it as a common thing, or treat it with indifference.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO LEVITICUS 17

In this chapter a law is given, ordering all sorts of persons, Israelites and sojourners, to bring their sacrifices to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, on pain of being cut off, Le 17:1-9; and a special and particular prohibition of sacrificing to devils is delivered out, Le 17:7; and the eating of blood, and of everything that dies of itself, or is torn with beasts, is forbidden under the above penalty, Le 17:10-16.