Leviticus 17 12

Leviticus 17:12 kjv

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.

Leviticus 17:12 nkjv

Therefore I said to the children of Israel, 'No one among you shall eat blood, nor shall any stranger who dwells among you eat blood.'

Leviticus 17:12 niv

Therefore I say to the Israelites, "None of you may eat blood, nor may any foreigner residing among you eat blood."

Leviticus 17:12 esv

Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, No person among you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger who sojourns among you eat blood.

Leviticus 17:12 nlt

That is why I have said to the people of Israel, 'You must never eat or drink blood ? neither you nor the foreigners living among you.'

Leviticus 17 verses

Leviticus 17 12 Meaning

Leviticus 17:12 strictly prohibits the consumption of blood, declaring this command to apply to both the native Israelites and any foreigner who lives among them. This divine instruction underscores the sanctity of life, which is embodied in the blood, and reaffirms blood's unique sacred purpose as the medium for atonement given by God upon the altar.

Leviticus 17 12 Context

Leviticus chapter 17 is situated within the "Holiness Code" (Lev 17-27), which outlines God's commands for the Israelites to live a consecrated life distinct from the pagan nations around them. This chapter specifically addresses the proper places and procedures for sacrificing animals, distinguishing sacred practices from common consumption, and emphasizing the sanctity of life. Verse 12 is a direct consequence of the theological truth presented in verse 11: "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement by reason of the life." The historical context involves Israel having recently exited Egypt and establishing their identity and worship practices, often in direct opposition (polemic) to surrounding pagan fertility cults and idolatrous rituals which sometimes involved the consumption of blood or flesh with blood as a means to gain power or commune with deities. God's law here asserts His sole authority over life and its atoning principle.

Leviticus 17 12 Word analysis

• "Therefore" (כֵּן - kēn): This word indicates a logical conclusion or a direct consequence of the preceding statement. It strongly links this prohibition in verse 12 to the foundational theological principle given in verse 11 – the life-blood-atonement connection. It emphasizes that the command is rooted in God's specific theological purpose for blood.
• "I have said" (אָמַרְתִּי - āmārtī): This verb in the perfect tense signifies a completed divine declaration. The use of "I" (God Himself) stresses the absolute authority and divine origin of the command, directly from the Lawgiver to His people, not merely through Moses.
• "to the people of Israel" (בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל - bənê Yisrāʾēl, lit. "sons of Israel"): This identifies the primary recipients of the law – God's chosen covenant community. The use of "sons" implies a familial relationship and responsibility within the covenant.
• "None of you" (כָּל־נֶפֶשׁ - kol-nephesh, lit. "every soul/life/person"): In this negative construction ("shall eat not a single soul"), it means "no one whatsoever." "Nephesh" emphasizes that the prohibition applies to every individual, highlighting the personal responsibility and the sacredness attached to each human life regarding this command.
• "shall eat" (תֹאכַל - tōʾkhal): This is a strong and direct prohibitive command in the imperfect tense, conveying an absolute ban on the action. It is not a suggestion but a clear prohibition against consumption.
• "blood" (דָּם - dām): The central object of the prohibition. In biblical thought, blood uniquely symbolizes life itself, given by God, and is sacred. It is set apart specifically for the purpose of atonement before God. Its sacred nature means it should not be treated as common food.
• "nor shall any stranger" (וְהַגֵּר - vǝhaggēr, lit. "and the sojourner/alien"): This vital phrase extends the prohibition beyond the native-born Israelite. "Ger" refers to a non-Israelite who had taken up residence within the community.
• "who sojourns among you" (הַגָּר בְּתוֹכְכֶם - haggār bəṯōḵəḵem, lit. "the one dwelling in your midst"): This clarifies that the "stranger" is not a mere transient visitor, but someone integrated into the Israelite society to some degree, and thus expected to adhere to the core ethical and ritual laws of the land. This indicates God's universal moral demands and highlights the inclusive nature of the covenant community's holiness requirements.
• Group analysis: "I have said to the people of Israel": This phrase underlines the divine authorship and authority of the law, making it clear that this is a command from God directly to His chosen people. It signifies the covenantal obligation.
• Group analysis: "None of you shall eat blood, nor shall any stranger who sojourns among you eat blood": This comprehensive phrasing highlights the universality of this specific law within the Israelite community. It demonstrates that the principle of the sacredness of life and blood applies to all individuals living under the jurisdiction of the Mosaic Law, regardless of their ethnic origin. It emphasizes God's proprietorship over all life, making this a foundational ethical and theological decree for all in His presence.

Leviticus 17 12 Bonus section

The strong emphasis on the foreigner adhering to this law reflects that while Gentiles were not bound by the ceremonial laws given specifically to Israel, certain moral and theological commands, especially those concerning life, defilement, and worship of the true God, were expected to be universal within the holy community. The "cutting off" penalty mentioned in other parts of Leviticus for eating blood (Lev 7:27) indicates the extreme gravity of this offense in God's eyes. It was a matter of defilement and spiritual pollution that threatened the entire community's holiness. This absolute prohibition also had practical implications, requiring Israelites to properly drain the blood from slaughtered animals, whether for sacrifice or ordinary consumption, ensuring proper reverence for the life that God sustains. The consistent reiteration of this command throughout the Pentateuch, and its endorsement by the early Christian church in Acts 15, underscores its profound and enduring theological importance concerning life, sin, and atonement, ultimately pointing to the supreme and once-for-all atonement through the blood of Jesus Christ.

Leviticus 17 12 Commentary

Leviticus 17:12 is a forceful divine command that reinforces the sanctity of life as resident in the blood. This law is not merely dietary but profoundly theological, stemming directly from the truth stated in the preceding verse: blood is exclusively appointed by God for atonement. The prohibition against consuming blood thus prevents the profanation of what is sacred to God and reserved for making peace between a Holy God and His people. Applying equally to native Israelites and resident foreigners, the command underscores the universal moral demand for holiness and reverence for life within God's community. This served as a critical distinction from the blood-drinking practices of surrounding pagan nations, preventing Israel from falling into idolatry and disrespecting the Giver of life. The enduring significance of this principle echoes into the New Testament, where the early church maintained this prohibition, respecting the symbolic value of blood, now supremely fulfilled in the atoning sacrifice of Christ's own blood for the redemption of all life.