Leviticus 17
Overview
Leviticus 17 addresses key regulations concerning the proper place of sacrifice and the significance of blood in religious rituals. The chapter covers:
Centralization of Sacrifices: The Israelites are instructed to bring all their oxen, sheep, and goats to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting to offer them as sacrifices to the Lord. This directive aims to discourage the practice of sacrificing in open fields and ensures that sacrifices are made in a manner that honors God.
Prohibition Against Idolatry: The chapter also forbids the Israelites from offering sacrifices to "goat demons," a practice associated with idol worship. This commandment reinforces the exclusive worship of the Lord.
Sanctity of Blood: A significant portion of the chapter emphasizes the sacredness of blood, stating that life is in the blood, and it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life. Therefore, blood must not be eaten but poured out on the altar to make atonement.
Eating of Animals: Leviticus 17 also details the proper handling of animals that are hunted or slaughtered for food, mandating the draining of blood and covering it with earth.
Community Accountability: The regulations apply to both Israelites and foreigners living among them, highlighting the community's collective responsibility in upholding these laws.
Leviticus 17 plays a crucial role in defining proper worship practices and the use of blood in sacrificial rituals. The chapter reflects the deep theological understanding of life and atonement in ancient Israel, emphasizing the need for a centralized and sanctified approach to worship and sacrifice. It highlights the holiness of God and the need for the community to follow His commands in both religious and daily practices.
Centralization of Sacrifices: The Israelites are instructed to bring all their oxen, sheep, and goats to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting to offer them as sacrifices to the Lord. This directive aims to discourage the practice of sacrificing in open fields and ensures that sacrifices are made in a manner that honors God.
Prohibition Against Idolatry: The chapter also forbids the Israelites from offering sacrifices to "goat demons," a practice associated with idol worship. This commandment reinforces the exclusive worship of the Lord.
Sanctity of Blood: A significant portion of the chapter emphasizes the sacredness of blood, stating that life is in the blood, and it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life. Therefore, blood must not be eaten but poured out on the altar to make atonement.
Eating of Animals: Leviticus 17 also details the proper handling of animals that are hunted or slaughtered for food, mandating the draining of blood and covering it with earth.
Community Accountability: The regulations apply to both Israelites and foreigners living among them, highlighting the community's collective responsibility in upholding these laws.
Leviticus 17 plays a crucial role in defining proper worship practices and the use of blood in sacrificial rituals. The chapter reflects the deep theological understanding of life and atonement in ancient Israel, emphasizing the need for a centralized and sanctified approach to worship and sacrifice. It highlights the holiness of God and the need for the community to follow His commands in both religious and daily practices.
Leviticus 17
1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Speak unto Aaron, and unto his sons, and unto all the children of Israel, and say unto them; This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, saying,
3 What man soever there be of the house of Israel, that killeth an ox, or lamb, or goat, in the camp, or that killeth it out of the camp,
4 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:
5 To the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which they offer in the open field, even that they may bring them unto the LORD, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest, and offer them for peace offerings unto the LORD.
6 And the priest shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar of the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and burn the fat for a sweet savour unto the LORD.
7 And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring. This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations.
8 And thou shalt say unto them, Whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers which sojourn among you, that offereth a burnt offering or sacrifice,
9 And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer it unto the LORD; even that man shall be cut off from among his people.
10 And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people.
11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.
12 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.
13 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.
14 For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off.
15 And every soul that eateth that which died of itself, or that which was torn with beasts, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger, he shall both wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even: then shall he be clean.
16 But if he wash them not, nor bathe his flesh; then he shall bear his iniquity.
End of Leviticus 17
1 Year Plan: Feb 20 - Lev 17, Lev 18, Mk 8
2 Speak unto Aaron, and unto his sons, and unto all the children of Israel, and say unto them; This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, saying,
3 What man soever there be of the house of Israel, that killeth an ox, or lamb, or goat, in the camp, or that killeth it out of the camp,
4 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:
5 To the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which they offer in the open field, even that they may bring them unto the LORD, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest, and offer them for peace offerings unto the LORD.
6 And the priest shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar of the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and burn the fat for a sweet savour unto the LORD.
7 And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring. This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations.
8 And thou shalt say unto them, Whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers which sojourn among you, that offereth a burnt offering or sacrifice,
9 And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer it unto the LORD; even that man shall be cut off from among his people.
10 And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people.
11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.
12 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.
13 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.
14 For it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off.
15 And every soul that eateth that which died of itself, or that which was torn with beasts, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger, he shall both wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even: then shall he be clean.
16 But if he wash them not, nor bathe his flesh; then he shall bear his iniquity.
End of Leviticus 17
1 Year Plan: Feb 20 - Lev 17, Lev 18, Mk 8
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