Leviticus 17:4

Authorized King James Version

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And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer an offering unto the LORD before the tabernacle of the LORD; blood shall be imputed unto that man; he hath shed blood; and that man shall be cut off from among his people:

Original Language Analysis

וְאֶל H413
וְאֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 1 of 23
near, with or among; often in general, to
פֶּ֜תַח it not unto the door H6607
פֶּ֜תַח it not unto the door
Strong's: H6607
Word #: 2 of 23
an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way
אֹ֣הֶל of the tabernacle H168
אֹ֣הֶל of the tabernacle
Strong's: H168
Word #: 3 of 23
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
מוֹעֵד֮ of the congregation H4150
מוֹעֵד֮ of the congregation
Strong's: H4150
Word #: 4 of 23
properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for
לֹ֣א H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 5 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הֱבִיאוֹ֒ And bringeth H935
הֱבִיאוֹ֒ And bringeth
Strong's: H935
Word #: 6 of 23
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
לְהַקְרִ֤יב to offer H7126
לְהַקְרִ֤יב to offer
Strong's: H7126
Word #: 7 of 23
to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose
קָרְבָּן֙ an offering H7133
קָרְבָּן֙ an offering
Strong's: H7133
Word #: 8 of 23
something brought near the altar, i.e., a sacrificial present
יְהוָ֑ה of the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֑ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 9 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לִפְנֵ֖י before H6440
לִפְנֵ֖י before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 10 of 23
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
מִשְׁכַּ֣ן the tabernacle H4908
מִשְׁכַּ֣ן the tabernacle
Strong's: H4908
Word #: 11 of 23
a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the temple); specifically, the tabernacle (properly, its w
יְהוָ֑ה of the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֑ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 12 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
דָּ֣ם blood H1818
דָּ֣ם blood
Strong's: H1818
Word #: 13 of 23
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
יֵֽחָשֵׁ֞ב shall be imputed H2803
יֵֽחָשֵׁ֞ב shall be imputed
Strong's: H2803
Word #: 14 of 23
properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou
הָאִ֥ישׁ and that man H376
הָאִ֥ישׁ and that man
Strong's: H376
Word #: 15 of 23
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)
הַהוּא֙ H1931
הַהוּא֙
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 16 of 23
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
דָּ֣ם blood H1818
דָּ֣ם blood
Strong's: H1818
Word #: 17 of 23
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
שָׁפָ֔ךְ he hath shed H8210
שָׁפָ֔ךְ he hath shed
Strong's: H8210
Word #: 18 of 23
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
וְנִכְרַ֛ת shall be cut off H3772
וְנִכְרַ֛ת shall be cut off
Strong's: H3772
Word #: 19 of 23
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
הָאִ֥ישׁ and that man H376
הָאִ֥ישׁ and that man
Strong's: H376
Word #: 20 of 23
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)
הַה֖וּא H1931
הַה֖וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 21 of 23
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
מִקֶּ֥רֶב from among H7130
מִקֶּ֥רֶב from among
Strong's: H7130
Word #: 22 of 23
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
עַמּֽוֹ׃ his people H5971
עַמּֽוֹ׃ his people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 23 of 23
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

Analysis & Commentary

And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer an offering unto the LORD before the tabernacle of the LORD; blood shall be imputed unto that man; he hath shed blood; and that man shall be cut off from among his people:

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.

The five main offerings (burnt, grain, peace, sin, and guilt) addressed different aspects of relationship with God, all fulfilled in Christ's comprehensive sacrifice. 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.
Hebrews 9-10 explains how Christ's once-for-all sacrifice supersedes the repeated Levitical offerings, providing permanent cleansing from sin.

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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