Leviticus 17

Leviticus 17 emphasizes the importance of proper worship and the sanctity of blood. God gives instructions to Israel through Moses, focusing on where sacrifices should be made and how the people are to respect the sacredness of blood. The chapter is crucial in setting boundaries for worship and communal purity, addressing both the Israelites and foreigners living among them.

Leviticus 17:1-3 (NKJV)
1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
2 “Speak to Aaron, to his sons, and to all the children of Israel, and say to them, ‘This is the thing which the Lord has commanded, saying:
3 Whatever man of the house of Israel who kills an ox or lamb or goat in the camp, or who kills it outside the camp,

God’s instructions were directed to all the people of Israel, highlighting the communal responsibility to follow His commands. The focus here is on the sacrificial animals—oxen, lambs, and goats—which were often used for offerings. These verses introduce the requirement that any such sacrifice must be performed under proper guidelines. This law would prevent unauthorized sacrifices or offerings being made in a manner not ordained by God, ensuring that worship remained centralized and controlled according to God's will.

Leviticus 17:4-5 (NKJV)
4 and does not bring it to the door of the tabernacle of meeting to offer an offering to the Lord before the tabernacle of the Lord, the guilt of bloodshed shall be imputed to that man. He has 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, that they may bring them to the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of meeting, to the priest, and offer them as peace offerings to the Lord.

These verses underscore the centralization of worship at the tabernacle. Any animal sacrificed had to be brought to the tabernacle to avoid being considered bloodshed, a serious offense. This law emphasized that sacrifices belonged to the Lord and were not to be made in an unauthorized manner. Bringing offerings to the tabernacle ensured they were given in the right spirit and to the proper place of worship, showing reverence for God’s instructions and maintaining communal holiness.

Leviticus 17:6 (NKJV)
6 And the priest shall sprinkle the blood on the altar of the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of meeting, and burn the fat for a sweet aroma to the Lord.

Once the animal was brought to the tabernacle, the priest performed specific rites, including sprinkling the blood on the altar and burning the fat. The act of burning the fat created a "sweet aroma" for the Lord, symbolizing that the offering was pleasing and acceptable. This process highlights the priest's intermediary role between the people and God, ensuring that sacrifices were properly presented to honor the Lord and maintain the covenant relationship.

Leviticus 17:7 (NKJV)
7 They shall no more offer their sacrifices to demons, after whom they have played the harlot. This shall be a statute forever for them throughout their generations.

God wanted to eliminate pagan practices among the Israelites. The reference to sacrificing to "demons" shows that, prior to this command, the Israelites may have been influenced by pagan worship. God calls their previous behavior spiritual adultery, likening it to unfaithfulness. This command was meant to purify Israel’s worship and ensure their sacrifices were directed to God alone, forbidding any participation in idolatrous rituals.

Leviticus 17:8-9 (NKJV)
8 “Also you shall say to them: ‘Whatever man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you, who offers a burnt offering or sacrifice,
9 and does not bring it to the door of the tabernacle of meeting, to offer it to the Lord, that man shall be cut off from among his people.

These verses reiterate that any sacrifice must be made at the tabernacle, whether by an Israelite or a foreigner living among them. This law extended to everyone within the community, indicating the universal requirement for proper worship. Failure to comply would result in being "cut off" from the people, a severe punishment indicating separation from God’s covenant and community life. This law reinforced the seriousness of proper worship and community obedience to God.

Leviticus 17:10-12 (NKJV)
10 And whatever man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you, who eats any blood, I will set My face against that person who eats 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 atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’
12 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.’

These verses highlight the prohibition against consuming blood, explaining the sacredness of blood in the sight of God. Blood represents life, and God had designated it to be used for atonement, signifying reconciliation with Him through sacrifices. By consuming blood, an individual would violate this divine symbolism. The prohibition applied to both Israelites and foreigners, indicating the sacredness of life and the specific role blood played in the sacrificial system.

Leviticus 17:13-14 (NKJV)
13 “Whatever man of the children of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you, who hunts and catches any animal or bird that may be eaten, he shall pour out its blood and cover it with dust;
14 for it is the life of all flesh. Its blood sustains its life. Therefore I said to the children of Israel, ‘You shall not eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off.’

In cases of hunting animals for food, the blood had to be poured out and covered with dust, showing respect for the life that was taken. This practice maintained the sanctity of life, even in situations not involving formal sacrifices. God’s emphasis on blood being the life source reiterates that blood was to be treated with respect, not consumed. This practice separated Israel from surrounding pagan practices, reinforcing their distinct covenant relationship with God.

Leviticus 17:15-16 (NKJV)
15 And every person who eats what died naturally or what was torn by beasts, whether he is a native of your own country or a stranger, he shall both wash his clothes and bathe in water, and be unclean until evening. Then he shall be clean.
16 But if he does not wash them or bathe his body, then he shall bear his guilt.”

If someone ate an animal that had died naturally or was killed by other animals, they were considered unclean, whether an Israelite or foreigner. They were required to wash and bathe, symbolizing purification. This law emphasized maintaining personal and communal purity, even in non-sacrificial contexts. If the person failed to cleanse themselves, they would bear their guilt, underscoring the importance of observing the purification rites and maintaining purity in all aspects of life.