Leviticus Chapter 17 — The Sanctity of Blood and Sacrifice
Leviticus 17 establishes that all animal sacrifices must be brought to the Tent of Meeting and strictly prohibits the consumption of blood.
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Notable Verses
Leviticus 17:11
“For the life of the flesh is in the blood. I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement by reason of the life.”
This verse provides the biblical foundation for the sacrificial system and the specific spiritual significance of blood in the process of atonement.
Leviticus 17:7
“They shall no more sacrifice their sacrifices to the goat idols, after which they play the prostitute. This shall be a statute forever to them throughout their generations.”
This verse highlights the transition from pagan wilderness practices to a centralized and exclusive worship of the LORD.
Chapter Summary
Leviticus 17 centers on the sanctity of life and the proper procedure for animal sacrifice. God instructs Moses that any Israelite who slaughters an ox, lamb, or goat must bring it to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting as an offering. This mandate ensures that sacrifices are offered correctly to the LORD rather than to goat idols in open fields. A significant portion of the chapter focuses on the prohibition of eating blood. God declares that the life of a creature is in its blood and that He has provided blood on the altar specifically for the purpose of making atonement for souls. This law applies to both Israelites and foreigners living among them. Hunters are required to pour out the blood of their catch and cover it with dust. The chapter concludes with regulations for those who consume animals that died naturally or were killed by other beasts, requiring ritual washing and a period of uncleanness.
Frequently Asked Questions
The text states that the life of the flesh is in the blood. God designated blood specifically for making atonement on the altar; because it represents the life of the creature, it was considered too sacred for human consumption.
According to this chapter, sacrifices performed outside the designated Tent of Meeting were considered unauthorized. The person responsible would be held guilty of shedding blood and would be cut off from the community.
Yes, the text explicitly mentions that these laws regarding the prohibition of eating blood and the requirements for sacrifices apply to both the house of Israel and the strangers who live as foreigners among them.
Study Note
The Hebrew term translated as 'goat idols' is 'se'irim', which literally means 'hairy ones' and refers to demons or satyr-like figures associated with wilderness worship in ancient Near Eastern cultures.
Related Chapters
Leviticus 16
The previous chapter details the Day of Atonement, providing the context for the blood rituals mentioned here.
Deuteronomy 12
This chapter further discusses the centralization of worship and repeats the prohibition of eating blood.
Hebrews 9
This New Testament chapter reflects on the necessity of blood for the forgiveness of sins, referencing the Mosaic law established in Leviticus.
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