Blood

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Easton's Bible Dictionary - Blood

Blood [N] [T] [S]

  • As food, prohibited in Genesis 9:4 , where the use of animal food is first allowed. Compare Deuteronomy 12:23 ; Leviticus 3:17 ; 7:26 ; 17:10-14 . The injunction to abstain from blood is renewed in the decree of the council of Jerusalem ( Acts 15:29 ). It has been held by some, and we think correctly, that this law of prohibition was only ceremonial and temporary; while others regard it as still binding on all. Blood was eaten by the Israelites after the battle of Gilboa ( 1 Samuel 14:32-34 ).

  • The blood of sacrifices was caught by the priest in a basin, and then sprinkled seven times on the altar; that of the passover on the doorposts and lintels of the houses ( Exodus 12 ; Leviticus 4:5-7 ; 16:14-19 ). At the giving of the law ( Exodus 24:8 ) the blood of the sacrifices was sprinkled on the people as well as on the altar, and thus the people were consecrated to God, or entered into covenant with him, hence the blood of the covenant ( Matthew 26:28 ; Hebrews 9:19 Hebrews 9:20 ; 10:29 ; 13:20 ).

  • Human blood. The murderer was to be punished ( Genesis 9:5 ). The blood of the murdered "crieth for vengeance" ( Genesis 4:10 ). The "avenger of blood" was the nearest relative of the murdered, and he was required to avenge his death ( Numbers 35:24 Numbers 35:27 ). No satisfaction could be made for the guilt of murder ( Numbers 35:31 ).

  • Blood used metaphorically to denote race ( Acts 17:26 ), and as a symbol of slaughter ( Isaiah 34:3 ). To "wash the feet in blood" means to gain a great victory ( Psalms 58:10 ). Wine, from its red colour, is called "the blood of the grape" ( Genesis 49:11 ). Blood and water issued from our Saviour's side when it was pierced by the Roman soldier ( John 19:34 ). This has led pathologists to the conclusion that the proper cause of Christ's death was rupture of the heart. (Compare Psalms 69:20 .)

    These dictionary topics are from
    M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
    published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.
    [N] indicates this entry was also found in Nave's Topical Bible
    [T] indicates this entry was also found in Torrey's Topical Textbook
    [J] indicates this entry was also found in Jack Van Impe's Prophecy Dictionary
    [S] indicates this entry was also found in Smith's Bible Dictionary
    Bibliography Information

    Easton, Matthew George. "Entry for Blood". "Easton's Bible Dictionary". .

    • Smith's Bible Dictionary - Blood

    Blood [N] [T] [E]

    To blood is ascribed in Scripture the mysterious sacredness which belongs to life, and God reserved it to himself when allowing man the dominion over and the use of the lower animals for food. Thus reserved, it acquires a double power: (1) that of sacrificial atonement; and (2) that of becoming a curse when wantonly shed, unless duly expiated. ( Genesis 9:4 ; Leviticus 7:26 ; 17:11-13 )

    [N] indicates this entry was also found in Nave's Topical Bible
    [T] indicates this entry was also found in Torrey's Topical Textbook
    [E] indicates this entry was also found in Easton's Bible Dictionary
    [J] indicates this entry was also found in Jack Van Impe's Prophecy Dictionary
    Bibliography Information

    Smith, William, Dr. "Entry for 'Blood'". "Smith's Bible Dictionary". . 1901.

    International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Blood

    BLOOD

    blud (dam, probably from 'adham "to be red"; haima):

    Used in the Old Testament to designate the life principle in either animal or vegetable, as the blood of man or the juice of the grape (Leviticus 17:11, et al.); in the New Testament for the blood of an animal, the atoning blood of Christ, and in both Old Testament and New Testament in a figurative sense for bloodshed or murder (Genesis 37:26; Hosea 4:2; Revelation 16:6).

    1. Primitive Ideas:

    Although the real function of the blood in the human system was not fully known until the fact of its circulation was established by William Harvey in 1615, nevertheless from the earliest times a singular mystery has been attached to it by all peoples. Blood rites, blood ceremonies and blood feuds are common among primitive tribes. It came to be recognized as the life principle long before it was scientifically proved to be. Naturally a feeling of fear, awe and reverence would be attached to the shedding of blood. With many uncivilized peoples scarification of the body until blood flows is practiced. Blood brotherhood or blood friendship is established by African tribes by the mutual shedding of blood and either drinking it or rubbing it on one another's bodies. Thus and by the inter-transfusion of blood by other means it was thought that a community of life and interest could be established.

    2. Hebrew and Old Testament Customs:

    Notwithstanding the ignorance and superstition surrounding this suggestively beautiful idea, it grew to have more than a merely human significance and application. For this crude practice of inter-transference of human blood there came to be a symbolic substitution of animal blood in sprinkling or anointing. The first reference in the Old Testament to blood (Genesis 4:10) is figurative, but highly illustrative of the reverential fear manifested upon the shedding of blood and the first teaching regarding it.

    The rite of circumcision is an Old Testament form of blood ceremony. Apart from the probable sanitary importance of the act is the deeper meaning in the establishment of a bond of friendship between the one upon whom the act is performed and Yahweh Himself. In order that Abraham might become "the friend of God" he was commanded that he should be circumcised as a token of the covenant between him and God (Genesis 17:10-11; see CIRCUMCISION).

    It is significant that the eating of blood was prohibited in earliest Bible times (Genesis 9:4). The custom probably prevailed among heathen nations as a religious rite (compare Psalms 16:4). This and its unhygienic influence together doubtless led to its becoming taboo. The same prohibition was made under the Mosaic code (Leviticus 7:26; see SACRIFICE).

    Blood was commanded to be used also for purification or for ceremonial cleansing (Leviticus 14:5-7,51,52; Numbers 19:4), provided, however, that it be taken from a clean animal (see PURIFICATION).

    In all probability there is no trace of the superstitious use of blood in the Old Testament, unless perchance in 1 Kings 22:38 (see BATHING); but everywhere it is vested with cleansing, expiatory, and reverently symbolic qualities.

    3. New Testament Teachings:

    As in the transition from ancient to Hebrew practice, so from the Old Testament to the New Testament we see an exaltation of the conception of blood and blood ceremonies. In Abraham's covenant his own blood had to be shed. Later an expiatory animal was to shed blood (Leviticus 5:6; see ATONEMENT), but there must always be a shedding of blood. "Apart from shedding of blood there is no remission" (Hebrews 9:22). The exaltation and dignifying of this idea finds its highest development then in the vicarious shedding of blood by Christ Himself (1 John 1:7). As in the Old Testament "blood" was also used to signify the juice of grapes, the most natural substitute for the drinking of blood would be the use of wine. Jesus takes advantage of this, and introduces the beautiful and significant custom (Matthew 26:28) of drinking wine and eating bread as symbolic of the primitive intertransfusion of blood and flesh in a pledge of eternal friendship (compare Exodus 24:6,7; John 6:53-56). This is the climactic observance of blood rites recorded in the Bible.

    LITERATURE.

    Trumbull, The Blood Covenant and The Threshold Covenant; Westermarck, The Origin and Development of the Moral Ideas; Robertson Smith, Lectures on the Religion of the Semites.

    Walter G. Clippinger

    Copyright Statement
    These files are public domain.

    Bibliography Information
    Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'BLOOD'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". 1915.