Leviticus 17:13

Authorized King James Version

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And whatsoever man there be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, which hunteth and catcheth any beast or fowl that may be eaten; he shall even pour out the blood thereof, and cover it with dust.

Original Language Analysis

אִ֜ישׁ And whatsoever man H376
אִ֜ישׁ And whatsoever man
Strong's: H376
Word #: 1 of 21
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אִ֜ישׁ And whatsoever man H376
אִ֜ישׁ And whatsoever man
Strong's: H376
Word #: 2 of 21
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
מִבְּנֵ֣י there be of the children H1121
מִבְּנֵ֣י there be of the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 3 of 21
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 4 of 21
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וּמִן H4480
וּמִן
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 5 of 21
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַגֵּר֙ or of the strangers H1616
הַגֵּר֙ or of the strangers
Strong's: H1616
Word #: 6 of 21
properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner
הַגָּ֣ר that sojourn H1481
הַגָּ֣ר that sojourn
Strong's: H1481
Word #: 7 of 21
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);
בְּתוֹכָ֔ם among H8432
בְּתוֹכָ֔ם among
Strong's: H8432
Word #: 8 of 21
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
אֲשֶׁ֨ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 9 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יָצ֜וּד you which hunteth H6679
יָצ֜וּד you which hunteth
Strong's: H6679
Word #: 10 of 21
to victual (for a journey)
צֵ֥יד and catcheth H6718
צֵ֥יד and catcheth
Strong's: H6718
Word #: 11 of 21
(generally) lunch (especially for a journey)
חַיָּ֛ה any beast H2416
חַיָּ֛ה any beast
Strong's: H2416
Word #: 12 of 21
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
אוֹ H176
אוֹ
Strong's: H176
Word #: 13 of 21
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
ע֖וֹף or fowl H5775
ע֖וֹף or fowl
Strong's: H5775
Word #: 14 of 21
a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 15 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יֵֽאָכֵ֑ל that may be eaten H398
יֵֽאָכֵ֑ל that may be eaten
Strong's: H398
Word #: 16 of 21
to eat (literally or figuratively)
וְשָׁפַךְ֙ he shall even pour H8210
וְשָׁפַךְ֙ he shall even pour
Strong's: H8210
Word #: 17 of 21
to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid, i.e., to mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money, etc
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 18 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דָּמ֔וֹ out the blood H1818
דָּמ֔וֹ out the blood
Strong's: H1818
Word #: 19 of 21
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
וְכִסָּ֖הוּ thereof and cover H3680
וְכִסָּ֖הוּ thereof and cover
Strong's: H3680
Word #: 20 of 21
properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)
בֶּֽעָפָֽר׃ it with dust H6083
בֶּֽעָפָֽר׃ it with dust
Strong's: H6083
Word #: 21 of 21
dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud

Analysis & Commentary

And whatsoever man there be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, which hunteth and catcheth any beast or fowl that may be eaten; he shall even pour out the blood thereof, and cover it with dust.

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.
Every sacrifice and ritual in Leviticus points forward to Jesus Christ, who fulfills the entire sacrificial system as both perfect sacrifice and eternal high priest.

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. Ancient texts like the Code of Hammurabi show that law codes were common in the ancient Near East, but biblical law uniquely grounded ethics in God's character rather than merely social convention.

Questions for Reflection

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