Leviticus 17

CHAPTER 17

Eating Blood Forbidden (17:1–16)

1–9 In these verses the Lord states that under ordinary circumstances no sacrifices were to be made outside the sanctuary area.⁵⁴ One might kill an animal for food, but it must not be killed as a sacrifice. The major purpose of this law was to prevent idolatry among the Israelites. Apparently some Israelites had been sacrificing animals out in the fields and had been imitating the practices of other nations. For example, the Egyptians worshiped goat idols (verse 7), and it is likely that some Israelites had adopted this practice during their long bondage in Egypt. To continue to do so would be to prostitute themselves.⁵⁵ All sacrifices were to be brought to the priest, that is, to the LORD (verse 5); the priest was the Lord’s representative, and thus anything brought to the priest was brought also to the Lord.

Any Israelite who sacrificed an animal outside the sanctuary area would be guilty of bloodshed and be cut off ⁵⁶ from his people (verses 3–4). Blood represented life, which was a sacred gift of God; thus to shed blood—to kill any living thing in an unauthorized manner—was a sin against God’s creation and would result in the person’s being cut off.

10–12 In these verses God gives a strict prohibition against “eating” blood—either drinking blood⁵⁷ or eating meat from which the blood had not been drained. There were two main reasons for this prohibition: first, as mentioned above, blood represented life and thus should be considered sacred. Second, since blood represented life, it was blood that made atonement for a person’s life (verse 11). The blood (life) of the animal was poured out as a ransom for the life of the sinful human; the animal died, the human lived—life for life. Thus blood was the essential element in all of the atoning sacrifices of Israel. Therefore, it had to be regarded with awe and respect, and not treated as if it were merely something to eat.⁵⁸

For the life of a creature is in the blood (verse 10). Some people have understood this statement to mean that there is some special “life force” in blood which “makes” something alive. This is not so; every cell in the body is equally alive. This statement is meant to be representative: blood, because it is necessary for life, can be said to be representative of life.⁵⁹

13–14 These verses deal with game animals and birds that were “clean” and thus fit for food. Even though they were not suitable as sacrificial offerings, their blood was still sacred; it had to be drained out before the meat could be eaten.

15–16 A bird or animal that had been found dead was not to be eaten (Exodus 22:31); it was a carcass, and therefore unclean—and likely unhealthy! (see Leviticus 11:39–40). But above all, it would be impossible to drain the blood from a carcass; hence, a carcass was never to be eaten.⁶⁰

However, these verses may refer primarily to the accidental eating of meat from an animal or bird whose blood had not been drained; this would explain why the penalty was so mild: only a bath and the washing of clothes.

Are Christians allowed to eat blood today? Yes, they are. This prohibition against eating blood was given only to the Israelites and to any alien (foreigner) living among them. The prohibition was part of the ceremonial law that became obsolete after the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. The blood of Christ alone atones for sin; all other blood is suitable for eating.

However, there may be times when a Christian should voluntarily refrain from eating blood, particularly when someone else might be hurt or offended if blood were eaten. Such an instance is recorded in Acts 15:20,29. The Christian leaders at the time (all Jews) were giving instructions to the newly converted Gentiles regarding which parts of the Old Testament law they should follow. The leaders determined that out of respect for Jewish believers, the new Gentile Christians should abstain from eating blood (among other things). The Apostle Paul later laid down principles governing these matters in Romans 14:13–21; 1 Corinthians 8:4–13; 9:19–23.