Leviticus 7 27

Leviticus 7:27 kjv

Whatsoever soul it be that eateth any manner of blood, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.

Leviticus 7:27 nkjv

Whoever eats any blood, that person shall be cut off from his people.' "

Leviticus 7:27 niv

Anyone who eats blood must be cut off from their people.'?"

Leviticus 7:27 esv

Whoever eats any blood, that person shall be cut off from his people."

Leviticus 7:27 nlt

Anyone who consumes blood will be cut off from the community."

Leviticus 7 verses

Leviticus 7 27 Meaning

Leviticus 7:27 prohibits any individual from consuming the fat of an animal that has been designated as an offering by fire to the LORD. Violation of this command carries the severe penalty of being "cut off from his people," indicating expulsion from the community, loss of covenant privileges, and potentially divine judgment or premature death. This command underscores the sacred nature of the fat, which was considered the LORD's exclusive portion of certain sacrifices, especially the peace offering.

Leviticus 7 27 Context

Leviticus 7:27 concludes a section (7:22-27) specifically outlining prohibitions related to the fat and blood of animals, especially those used for sacrifices, following detailed instructions for various offerings. Chapter 7 itself continues from Chapter 6, providing the priestly regulations (Torah hazzevaḥ) for the sin offering, trespass offering, peace offering, and burnt offering. This specific verse reaffirms the sacredness of the fat of the sacrificial animal, emphasizing that it belongs exclusively to the LORD. Historically and culturally, the prohibition on consuming sacrificial fat served to distinguish Israelite worship from pagan practices where entire animals, including forbidden parts, might be consumed. It reinforced the concept of God's holiness and His rightful claim to the "best" parts, signifying total dedication and worship. The law created a clear theological boundary, setting apart God's people and His specific demands for their relationship with Him.

Leviticus 7 27 Word analysis

• every person (כָּל־נֶפֶשׁ, kol-nefesh): The phrase "kol-nefesh" emphasizes the individual responsibility of each soul or living being within the community. It leaves no room for exception, underscoring that this command applies universally to every Israelite. Nefesh here implies the entire person, highlighting the personal accountability before God.
• who eats (תֹּאכַל, toḵal): Refers to the act of consuming or partaking of the forbidden substance. The active choice to eat indicates a deliberate transgression of the divine command.
• any fat (כָּל־חֵלֶב, kol-ḥēlev): "Kol-ḥēlev" signifies all specific types of fat designated as holy. Ḥēlev refers to the rich, internal, abdominal fat (e.g., around the kidneys, intestines, or fatty tail of sheep), distinct from shumen which refers to general body fat or edible fat. In the ancient Near East, fat was highly prized, signifying richness, prosperity, and the best part. By reserving "ḥēlev" for the LORD, it marked His sovereignty and ownership of the best.
• from the animal of which an offering by fire is made to the LORD (מִן־הַבְּהֵמָה אֲשֶׁר־יַקְרִיב מִמֶּנָּה אִשֶּׁה לַיהוָה, min-habbehemah asher-yaqriv mimmennah ishsheh la-Yahweh): This specifies that the prohibition is not on eating any animal fat, but specifically fat from animals that have been offered up as a fire offering (ishsheh) to Yahweh (the LORD). Ishsheh denotes something consumed by fire on the altar, dedicated solely to God. This highlights the sacred context and purpose of the fat.
• that person shall be cut off from his people (וְנִכְרְתָה הַנֶּפֶשׁ הַהִוא מֵעַמֶּיהָ, we-nikhretah hannefesh hahiw meʿammeha): "Cut off" (karet) is a severe consequence appearing multiple times in the Pentateuch. It denotes a decisive act of separation from the covenant community. It could imply excommunication, losing one's status and inheritance among Israel, and inability to participate in religious or civic life. More significantly, it often implied divine judgment, leading to premature death, extinction of progeny, or exclusion from God's favor, ensuring the eradication of impurity from the community. It represents a divine sanction against rebellion. "From his people" ("meʿammeha") underscores the loss of identity and belonging within the consecrated nation of Israel.
• Significance of the "Cut Off" penalty: This term, karet, extends beyond mere physical death. It signifies a severing of the individual's participation in the covenant blessings, including a relationship with God and future hope (e.g., posterity). It reinforces the gravity of violating God's holy requirements.

Leviticus 7 27 Bonus section

The distinction between ḥēlev (forbidden sacrificial fat) and shumen (edible fat used for cooking or general consumption) is vital for understanding this prohibition. The Israelites were not prohibited from eating all animal fat, only the ḥēlev which was specifically associated with certain peace offerings and offerings made by fire. This distinction highlights that the prohibition was ritualistic and theological, not primarily hygienic. The fat belonged to the Lord as His exclusive portion, emphasizing the concept of offering the choicest parts. The concept of karet (being cut off) served as a strong deterrent, functioning both as a community exclusion and as a divine judgment, upholding the purity of the community and the sanctity of God's laws. This verse thus powerfully reinforced the covenant boundaries and the necessity of complete obedience and reverence in all matters concerning the divine.

Leviticus 7 27 Commentary

Leviticus 7:27 reiterates a crucial principle of Israelite worship: the fat of certain sacrificial animals is holy to the LORD and forbidden for human consumption. This wasn't merely a dietary rule but a theological statement. The fat, being the richest part, symbolized the best, which was always to be offered exclusively to God, affirming His sovereignty and supreme worth. Violating this injunction by eating the Lord's portion was an act of profound disrespect and defiance, directly challenging His holiness and ownership. The consequence, being "cut off from his people," underscored the absolute seriousness of profaning what was sacred. It communicated that unholiness, especially deliberate transgression, could not remain within the holy community without dire consequences. In the New Covenant, while literal adherence to food laws like this is no longer binding (Mk 7:19, Acts 10:15, Rom 14:17), the underlying principle of giving God our "best" (our heart, obedience, reverence) and not profaning what is sacred, continues to resonate (Heb 12:14, Rom 12:1). We are called to honor God by treating as holy what He deems holy, recognizing Christ's ultimate sacrifice fulfills all Old Covenant offerings (Heb 10:10-14).