Leviticus 17:12

Authorized King James Version

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Therefore I said unto the children of Israel, No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood.

Original Language Analysis

עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 1 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כֵּ֤ן H3651
כֵּ֤ן
Strong's: H3651
Word #: 2 of 17
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
אָמַ֙רְתִּי֙ Therefore I said H559
אָמַ֙רְתִּי֙ Therefore I said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 3 of 17
to say (used with great latitude)
לִבְנֵ֣י unto the children H1121
לִבְנֵ֣י unto the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 4 of 17
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 5 of 17
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 6 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
נֶ֥פֶשׁ No soul H5315
נֶ֥פֶשׁ No soul
Strong's: H5315
Word #: 7 of 17
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
מִכֶּ֖ם H4480
מִכֶּ֖ם
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 8 of 17
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
לֹא H3808
לֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 9 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֹ֥אכַל of you shall eat H398
יֹ֥אכַל of you shall eat
Strong's: H398
Word #: 10 of 17
to eat (literally or figuratively)
דָּֽם׃ blood H1818
דָּֽם׃ blood
Strong's: H1818
Word #: 11 of 17
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
וְהַגֵּ֛ר neither shall any stranger H1616
וְהַגֵּ֛ר neither shall any stranger
Strong's: H1616
Word #: 12 of 17
properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner
הַגָּ֥ר that sojourneth H1481
הַגָּ֥ר that sojourneth
Strong's: H1481
Word #: 13 of 17
properly, to turn aside from the road (for a lodging or any other purpose), i.e., sojourn (as a guest); also to shrink, fear (as in a strange place);
בְּתֽוֹכְכֶ֖ם among H8432
בְּתֽוֹכְכֶ֖ם among
Strong's: H8432
Word #: 14 of 17
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
לֹא H3808
לֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 15 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֹ֥אכַל of you shall eat H398
יֹ֥אכַל of you shall eat
Strong's: H398
Word #: 16 of 17
to eat (literally or figuratively)
דָּֽם׃ blood H1818
דָּֽם׃ blood
Strong's: H1818
Word #: 17 of 17
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

Analysis & Commentary

Therefore I said unto the children of Israel, No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood.

This verse falls within the section on Sanctity of Blood. Regulations prohibiting consumption of blood and requiring proper slaughter, emphasizing blood's sacred role in atonement.

Leviticus 17:11 declares 'the life of the flesh is in the blood,' establishing blood's sacred role in atonement, pointing to Christ's blood shed for redemption.
The access to God's presence that Leviticus carefully regulated is now freely available through Christ's blood, tearing the veil and opening the way to God.

Historical Context

Regulations prohibiting consumption of blood and requiring proper slaughter, emphasizing blood's sacred role in atonement. Chapters 17-27, often called the 'Holiness Code,' expand covenant obligations beyond ritual to encompass all of life—sexuality, economics, justice, and relationships. The repeated refrain 'I am the LORD' grounds these laws in God's character and covenant relationship with Israel. Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. Archaeological discoveries at sites like Ugarit reveal Canaanite religious practices Israel's laws explicitly rejected, confirming the Bible's historical reliability and the distinctiveness of Israelite worship.

Questions for Reflection

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