Translations
Modern
If anyone eats blood, that person must be cut off from his people.’”
Traditional
Whatsoever soul it be that eateth any manner of blood, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.
Literal
Any soul who eats any blood, then that soul shall be cut off from his people.’”
Latin
Omnis anima, quæ ederit sanguinem, peribit de populis suis.
Original
Hebrew
English
If anyone eats blood, that person must be cut off from his people.’”
Notes
The command not to eat blood was very important. The Council at Jerusalem even included it in their instructions for non-Jewish (Gentile) believers (Acts 15:29).
In the sacrificial system, the fat and blood of all altar offerings belonged to God. People offered them before eating any part of the sacrifice. God forbid the Israelites of consuming blood because it represented the animal's life (Leviticus 17:10–16). The rule against eating fat might have been because fat, considered the best part, belonged to God.
Theme notes and profiles
Glossary
Biblical Concept of Law Deuteronomy, Book of History of Israel Law of Moses Leviticus, Book of Moses Offerings and Sacrifices
Topics
Blood: Forbidden to be Used As Food Church: Rules of Discipline In, Mosaic and Christian Sanitation: Food