Leviticus 17

Leviticus 17 is the seventeenth chapter of Leviticus. Following Leviticus 16, which sets out the ordinances for the Day of Atonement, this chapter regulates where sacrificial animals are to be slaughtered and how their blood is to be handled. Scholars commonly call chapters 17–26 the "Holiness Code" (a collection of laws concerning holiness) and regard this chapter as its opening.

Outline

• Verses 1–2 The LORD gives a command to Moses and instructs him to deliver it to Aaron, his sons, and all the children of Israel.
• Verses 3–7 Whether an ox, a lamb, or a goat is killed inside or outside the camp, it must first be brought to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation and offered to the LORD. Anyone who fails to do so is held guilty of shedding blood and is cut off from among his people. Sacrifices formerly slaughtered in the open field are to be brought to the priest and offered as peace offerings; the priest sprinkles the blood on the altar and burns the fat. It is made a statute for ever that the people shall no longer offer sacrifices to the goat idols they once served.
• Verses 8–9 Anyone, whether an Israelite or a stranger who sojourns (resides) among them, who does not bring a burnt offering or sacrifice to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation is cut off.
• Verses 10–12 The eating of any blood is forbidden, because the life of the flesh is in the blood and the blood sprinkled on the altar makes atonement for sin.
• Verses 13–14 Anyone who hunts a beast or bird that may be eaten must pour out its blood and cover it with dust.
• Verses 15–16 Anyone who eats an animal that died of itself or was torn by wild beasts must wash his clothes and bathe himself, and he remains unclean until evening. If he does not wash, he shall bear his iniquity.

Key Verses

• Leviticus 17:11 "For the life of the flesh is in the blood … for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul." This is the classic verse that directly explains why blood is the means of atonement in sacrifice. It provides the background for understanding the atonement accomplished through the blood of Christ.
• Leviticus 17:7 "And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring." This verse shows that the purpose of centralizing sacrifice at the tabernacle alone was to prevent idolatry.

People and Places

• Moses, Aaron
• Priests — Aaron and his sons, who are responsible for sprinkling the blood on the altar and burning the fat.
• The tabernacle of the congregation — the tent of meeting with God, that is, the tabernacle.
• Strangers — foreigners residing among the Israelites. The ordinances of this chapter apply equally to them.

Points for Reflection

• The place of slaughter Verses 3–4 require all slaughter to take place at the tabernacle. By contrast, Deuteronomy 12 permits those who live far from the sanctuary to slaughter and eat meat at home. Traditionally, this difference has been explained as a distinction between the regulations for the wilderness period and those for life after the settlement in Canaan. Some scholars instead see it as reflecting different traditions.
• The meaning of "goat idols" The term rendered "devils" in the KJV is translated "he-goats" in the Korean Revised Version and the New Korean Revised Version. Some commentaries interpret it as demons thought to dwell in the open country or as goat-shaped idols.
• The blood prohibition and the New Testament The command not to eat blood already appears in the command given to Noah. In the New Testament, the Jerusalem Council urged Gentile believers to abstain from blood (Acts 15:29).
• Application today Most denominations regard the council's directive as a measure suited to its time, intended to foster fellowship between Jewish and Gentile believers. On the basis of passages such as Mark 7:18–19, they also hold that the Old Testament dietary laws do not bind believers today.
• The question of blood transfusion Jehovah's Witnesses refuse blood transfusions on the basis of this chapter and Acts 15. Most denominations do not regard a blood transfusion as eating blood.
• Connection with Hebrews Hebrews 9:22 states that "without shedding of blood is no remission," linking the principle of this chapter to the sacrifice of Christ.

In the Korean Church

Leviticus 17:11 is frequently cited in sermons on the precious blood of Christ and atonement. This chapter and Acts 15 are also often discussed together in question-and-answer columns on matters of faith that address whether Christians may eat foods containing blood, such as seonji (congealed ox blood) or sundae (Korean blood sausage).