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Leviticus 17

BSB·16 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Then the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → saidוַיְדַבֵּ֥רway·ḏab·bêr — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Mosesמֹשֶׁ֥הmō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study →, 2Speakדַּבֵּ֨רdab·bêr — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → toאֶֽל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Aaronאַהֲרֹ֜ן’a·hă·rōn — Exalted FatherH175 — Full Word Study →, his sonsבָּנָ֗יוbā·nāw — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →, and allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the Israelitesבְּנֵ֣יbə·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → and tellוְאָמַרְתָּ֖wə·’ā·mar·tā — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → themאֲלֵיהֶ֑ם’ă·lê·hem — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → thisזֶ֣הzeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → is whatאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → has commandedצִוָּ֥הṣiw·wāh — to command, order, or appoint with authorityH6680 — Full Word Study →: 3Anyoneאִ֥ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → from the houseמִבֵּ֣יתmib·bêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → whoאֲשֶׁ֨ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → slaughtersיִשְׁחַ֜טyiš·ḥaṭ — to slaughter; to kill in sacrifice or violenceH7819 — Full Word Study → an oxשׁ֥וֹרšō·wr — Ox, bull, or cattleH7794 — Full Word Study →, a lambכֶ֛שֶׂבḵe·śeḇ — A young sheep or lambH3775 — Full Word Study →, orאוֹ־’ōw- — or, whether; also expressing desire or preferenceH176 — Full Word Study → a goatעֵ֖ז‘êz — Female goat; young goatH5795 — Full Word Study → in the campבַּֽמַּחֲנֶ֑הbam·ma·ḥă·neh — Military encampment; organized settlement or gatheringH4264 — Full Word Study → or outsideמִח֖וּץmi·ḥūṣ — Outside, exterior, or open space beyond a boundaryH2351 — Full Word Study → of it 4instead ofלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → bringingהֱבִיאוֹ֒hĕ·ḇî·’ōw — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → it toוְאֶל־wə·’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the entranceפֶּ֜תַחpe·ṯaḥ — doorway, entrance, openingH6607 — Full Word Study → to the Tentאֹ֣הֶל’ō·hel — A tent; portable dwelling placeH168 — Full Word Study → of Meetingמוֹעֵד֮mō·w·‘êḏ — appointed time; solemn assemblyH4150 — Full Word Study → to presentלְהַקְרִ֤יבlə·haq·rîḇ — to approach, draw near, come forwardH7126 — Full Word Study → it as an offeringקָרְבָּן֙qār·bān — Offering, sacrifice brought near the altarH7133 — Full Word Study → to the LORDלַֽיהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → beforeלִפְנֵ֖יlip̄·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → Hisיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → tabernacleמִשְׁכַּ֣ןmiš·kan — Tabernacle, dwelling place, sanctuaryH4908 — Full Word Study →thatהַהוּא֙ha·hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → manלָאִ֤ישׁlā·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → shall incurיֵחָשֵׁ֞בyê·ḥā·šêḇ — to think, devise, plan, or reckonH2803 — Full Word Study → bloodguiltדָּ֣םdām — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study →. He has shedשָׁפָ֔ךְšā·p̄āḵ — to pour out, shed, spillH8210 — Full Word Study → bloodדָּ֣םdām — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study → and must be cut offוְנִכְרַ֛תwə·niḵ·raṯ — To cut; to make a covenantH3772 — Full Word Study → from amongמִקֶּ֥רֶבmiq·qe·reḇ — midst, inner part, heart, inward beingH7130 — Full Word Study → his peopleעַמּֽוֹ׃‘am·mōw — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →. 5For this reasonלְמַעַן֩lə·ma·‘an — because of, for the sake of, in order thatH4616 — Full Word Study → the Israelitesבְּנֵ֣יbə·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → will bringיָבִ֜יאוּyā·ḇî·’ū — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → to the LORDלַֽיהוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → the sacrificesזִבְחֵיהֶם֮ziḇ·ḥê·hem — sacrificial offering; animal sacrificeH2077 — Full Word Study → theyהֵ֣םhêm — They, them (masculine plural pronoun)H1992 — Full Word Study → have been offeringזֹבְחִים֮zō·ḇə·ḥîm — to slaughter an animal as a sacrifice or offeringH2076 — Full Word Study → inעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the openפְּנֵ֣יpə·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → fieldsהַשָּׂדֶה֒haś·śā·ḏeh — A field; cultivated or open landH7704 — Full Word Study →. They are to bring themוֶֽהֱבִיאֻ֣םwe·hĕ·ḇî·’um — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the priestהַכֹּהֵ֑ןhak·kō·hên — priest; one who serves in God's sanctuaryH3548 — Full Word Study → atאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the entranceפֶּ֛תַחpe·ṯaḥ — doorway, entrance, openingH6607 — Full Word Study → to the Tentאֹ֥הֶל’ō·hel — A tent; portable dwelling placeH168 — Full Word Study → of Meetingמוֹעֵ֖דmō·w·‘êḏ — appointed time; solemn assemblyH4150 — Full Word Study → and offerוְזָ֨בְח֜וּwə·zā·ḇə·ḥū — to slaughter an animal as a sacrifice or offeringH2076 — Full Word Study → themאוֹתָֽם׃’ō·w·ṯām — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → as sacrificesזִבְחֵ֧יziḇ·ḥê — sacrificial offering; animal sacrificeH2077 — Full Word Study → of peace to the LORDלַֽיהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 6The priestהַכֹּהֵ֤ןhak·kō·hên — priest; one who serves in God's sanctuaryH3548 — Full Word Study → will then sprinkle the bloodהַדָּם֙had·dām — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study → onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the altarמִזְבַּ֣חmiz·baḥ — altar; place of sacrifice and worshipH4196 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → at the entranceפֶּ֖תַחpe·ṯaḥ — doorway, entrance, openingH6607 — Full Word Study → to the Tentאֹ֣הֶל’ō·hel — A tent; portable dwelling placeH168 — Full Word Study → of Meetingמוֹעֵ֑דmō·w·‘êḏ — appointed time; solemn assemblyH4150 — Full Word Study → and burnוְהִקְטִ֣ירwə·hiq·ṭîr — to burn incense; to offer fragrant smoke in worshipH6999 — Full Word Study → the fatהַחֵ֔לֶבha·ḥê·leḇ — Fat; the richest or best partH2459 — Full Word Study → as a pleasingנִיחֹ֖חַnî·ḥō·aḥ — pleasing aroma, soothing odorH5207 — Full Word Study → aromaלְרֵ֥יחַlə·rê·aḥ — Pleasant aroma, fragrance, or sweet smellH7381 — Full Word Study → to the LORDלַיהוָֽה׃Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 7They must noוְלֹא־wə·lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → longerעוֹד֙‘ō·wḏ — still, yet, again, continuing or additional occurrenceH5750 — Full Word Study → offerיִזְבְּח֥וּyiz·bə·ḥū — to slaughter an animal as a sacrifice or offeringH2076 — Full Word Study → their sacrificesזִבְחֵיהֶ֔םziḇ·ḥê·hem — sacrificial offering; animal sacrificeH2077 — Full Word Study → to the goat demonsלַשְּׂעִירִ֕םlaś·śə·‘î·rim — he-goat; hairy or rough creatureH8163 — Full Word Study → to whichאֲשֶׁ֛ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → theyהֵ֥םhêm — They, them (masculine plural pronoun)H1992 — Full Word Study → have prostitutedזֹנִ֖יםzō·nîm — to commit sexual immorality; to act as a harlot or prostituteH2181 — Full Word Study → themselvesאַחֲרֵיהֶ֑ם’a·ḥă·rê·hem — after, behind, followingH310 — Full Word Study →. Thisזֹּ֥אתzōṯ — This, that; demonstrative pronounH2063 — Full Word Study → will beתִּֽהְיֶה־tih·yeh- — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → a permanentעוֹלָ֛ם‘ō·w·lām — forever, eternity, perpetual durationH5769 — Full Word Study → statuteחֻקַּ֥תḥuq·qaṯ — Divine statute, ordinance, or decreeH2708 — Full Word Study → for them for the generations to comeלְדֹרֹתָֽם׃lə·ḏō·rō·ṯām — generation; age; lifetime; posterityH1755 — Full Word Study →.’ 8Tellתֹּאמַ֔רtō·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → themוַאֲלֵהֶ֣םwa·’ă·lê·hem — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → that if anyoneאִ֥ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → fromוּמִן־ū·min- — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → the houseמִבֵּ֣יתmib·bêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → or any foreignerהַגֵּ֖רhag·gêr — Resident alien; temporary inhabitant without full citizenship rightsH1616 — Full Word Study → livingיָג֣וּרyā·ḡūr — to sojourn, dwell as a stranger, fearH1481 — Full Word Study → among themבְּתוֹכָ֑םbə·ṯō·w·ḵām — midst, among, between, throughH8432 — Full Word Study → offersיַעֲלֶ֥הya·‘ă·leh — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study → a burnt offeringעֹלָ֖ה‘ō·lāh — burnt offering; ascending sacrificeH5930 — Full Word Study → orאוֹ־’ōw- — or, whether; also expressing desire or preferenceH176 — Full Word Study → a sacrificeזָֽבַח׃zā·ḇaḥ — sacrificial offering; animal sacrificeH2077 — Full Word Study → 9but does notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → bringיְבִיאֶ֔נּוּyə·ḇî·’en·nū — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → it toוְאֶל־wə·’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the entranceפֶּ֜תַחpe·ṯaḥ — doorway, entrance, openingH6607 — Full Word Study → to the Tentאֹ֤הֶל’ō·hel — A tent; portable dwelling placeH168 — Full Word Study → of Meetingמוֹעֵד֙mō·w·‘êḏ — appointed time; solemn assemblyH4150 — Full Word Study → to sacrificeלַעֲשׂ֥וֹתla·‘ă·śō·wṯ — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → itאֹת֖וֹ’ō·ṯōw — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → to the LORDלַיהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, thatהַה֖וּאha·hū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → manהָאִ֥ישׁhā·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → must be cut offוְנִכְרַ֛תwə·niḵ·raṯ — To cut; to make a covenantH3772 — Full Word Study → from his peopleמֵעַמָּֽיו׃mê·‘am·māw — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →. 10If anyoneוְאִ֨ישׁwə·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → fromוּמִן־ū·min- — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → the houseמִבֵּ֣יתmib·bêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֗לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → or a foreignerהַגֵּר֙hag·gêr — Resident alien; temporary inhabitant without full citizenship rightsH1616 — Full Word Study → livingהַגָּ֣רhag·gār — to sojourn, dwell as a stranger, fearH1481 — Full Word Study → among themבְּתוֹכָ֔םbə·ṯō·w·ḵām — midst, among, between, throughH8432 — Full Word Study → eatsיֹאכַ֖לyō·ḵal — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → anyכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → bloodדָּ֑םdām — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study →, I will setוְנָתַתִּ֣יwə·nā·ṯat·tî — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → My faceפָנַ֗יp̄ā·nay — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → against that personבַּנֶּ֙פֶשׁ֙ban·ne·p̄eš — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → and cut him offוְהִכְרַתִּ֥יwə·hiḵ·rat·tî — To cut; to make a covenantH3772 — Full Word Study → from amongמִקֶּ֥רֶבmiq·qe·reḇ — midst, inner part, heart, inward beingH7130 — Full Word Study → his peopleעַמָּֽהּ׃‘am·māh — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →. 11Forכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the lifeנֶ֣פֶשׁne·p̄eš — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → of the fleshהַבָּשָׂר֮hab·bā·śār — Flesh; body; meat; human natureH1320 — Full Word Study → is in the bloodבַּדָּ֣םbad·dām — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study →, and Iוַאֲנִ֞יwa·’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → have givenנְתַתִּ֤יוnə·ṯat·tîw — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → itהִוא֒hî — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → to you to make atonementלְכַפֵּ֖רlə·ḵap·pêr — To atone; to cover sin and make reconciliationH3722 — Full Word Study → forעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → your soulsנַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶ֑םnap̄·šō·ṯê·ḵem — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → uponעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the altarהַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַham·miz·bê·aḥ — altar; place of sacrifice and worshipH4196 — Full Word Study →; forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → it is the bloodהַדָּ֥םhad·dām — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study → that makes atonement for the soulבַּנֶּ֥פֶשׁban·ne·p̄eš — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study →. 12Thereforeעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → I sayאָמַ֙רְתִּי֙’ā·mar·tî — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → to the Israelitesלִבְנֵ֣יliḇ·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →, ‘Noneכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → of you may eatתֹ֣אכַלṯō·ḵal — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → bloodדָּ֑םdām — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study →, nor mayלֹא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → any foreignerוְהַגֵּ֛רwə·hag·gêr — Resident alien; temporary inhabitant without full citizenship rightsH1616 — Full Word Study → livingהַגָּ֥רhag·gār — to sojourn, dwell as a stranger, fearH1481 — Full Word Study → among youבְּתוֹכְכֶ֖םbə·ṯō·wḵ·ḵem — midst, among, between, throughH8432 — Full Word Study → eatיֹ֥אכַלyō·ḵal — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → bloodדָּֽם׃סdām — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study →.’ 13And if anyוְאִ֨ישׁwə·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → Israeliteמִבְּנֵ֣יmib·bə·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → or foreignerהַגֵּר֙hag·gêr — Resident alien; temporary inhabitant without full citizenship rightsH1616 — Full Word Study → livingהַגָּ֣רhag·gār — to sojourn, dwell as a stranger, fearH1481 — Full Word Study → among themבְּתוֹכָ֔םbə·ṯō·w·ḵām — midst, among, between, throughH8432 — Full Word Study → hunts downיָצ֜וּדyā·ṣūḏ — to hunt, chase, or lie in waitH6679 — Full Word Study → a wildחַיָּ֛הḥay·yāh — alive, living, lifeH2416 — Full Word Study → animalצֵ֥ידṣêḏ — game; hunted food; provisionsH6718 — Full Word Study → orאוֹ־’ōw- — or, whether; also expressing desire or preferenceH176 — Full Word Study → birdע֖וֹף‘ō·wp̄ — birdH5775 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁ֣ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → may be eatenיֵאָכֵ֑לyê·’ā·ḵêl — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study →, he must drainוְשָׁפַךְ֙wə·šā·p̄aḵ — to pour out, shed, spillH8210 — Full Word Study → its bloodדָּמ֔וֹdā·mōw — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study → and coverוְכִסָּ֖הוּwə·ḵis·sā·hū — to cover, conceal, hideH3680 — Full Word Study → it with dirtבֶּעָפָֽר׃be·‘ā·p̄ār — dust; fine particles of earth or ground matterH6083 — Full Word Study →. 14Forכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the lifeנֶ֣פֶשׁne·p̄eš — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → of allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → fleshבָּשָׂ֗רbā·śār — Flesh; body; meat; human natureH1320 — Full Word Study → is its bloodדָּמ֣וֹdā·mōw — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study →. Therefore I have toldוָֽאֹמַר֙wā·’ō·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → the Israelitesלִבְנֵ֣יliḇ·nê — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study →, ‘You must notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → eatתֹאכֵ֑לוּṯō·ḵê·lū — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → the bloodדַּ֥םdam — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study → of anyכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → living thingבָּשָׂ֖רbā·śār — Flesh; body; meat; human natureH1320 — Full Word Study →, becauseכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the lifeנֶ֤פֶשׁne·p̄eš — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → of allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → fleshבָּשָׂר֙bā·śār — Flesh; body; meat; human natureH1320 — Full Word Study → is its bloodדָּמ֣וֹdā·mōw — blood; life force; bloodshed; guiltH1818 — Full Word Study →; whoeverהִ֔ואhî — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → eats itאֹכְלָ֖יו’ō·ḵə·lāw — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → must be cut offיִכָּרֵֽת׃yik·kā·rêṯ — To cut; to make a covenantH3772 — Full Word Study →.’ 15And anyוְכָל־wə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → personנֶ֗פֶשׁne·p̄eš — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study →, whether nativeבָּאֶזְרָ֖חbā·’ez·rāḥ — native-born, indigenous citizenH249 — Full Word Study → or foreignerוּבַגֵּ֑רū·ḇag·gêr — Resident alien; temporary inhabitant without full citizenship rightsH1616 — Full Word Study →, whoאֲשֶׁ֨ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → eatsתֹּאכַ֤לtō·ḵal — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → anything found deadנְבֵלָה֙nə·ḇê·lāh — Carcass, dead body, carrionH5038 — Full Word Study → or mauled by wild beastsוּטְרֵפָ֔הū·ṭə·rê·p̄āh — Flesh torn by beasts; carrionH2966 — Full Word Study → must washוְכִבֶּ֨סwə·ḵib·bes — To wash, cleanse, or full clothH3526 — Full Word Study → his clothesבְּגָדָ֜יוbə·ḡā·ḏāw — Clothing; treachery or deceptionH899 — Full Word Study → and batheוְרָחַ֥ץwə·rā·ḥaṣ — to wash or bathe the bodyH7364 — Full Word Study → with waterבַּמַּ֛יִםbam·ma·yim — Water; liquid; fluidsH4325 — Full Word Study →, and he will be uncleanוְטָמֵ֥אwə·ṭā·mê — to be unclean, to defile or contaminateH2930 — Full Word Study → untilעַד־‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → eveningהָעֶ֖רֶבhā·‘e·reḇ — Evening, the time of day when sun setsH6153 — Full Word Study →; then he will be cleanוְטָהֵֽר׃wə·ṭā·hêr — to be clean, purify, make pureH2891 — Full Word Study →. 16But ifוְאִם֙wə·’im — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → he does notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → washיְכַבֵּ֔סyə·ḵab·bês — To wash, cleanse, or full clothH3526 — Full Word Study → his clothes and batheיִרְחָ֑ץyir·ḥāṣ — to wash or bathe the bodyH7364 — Full Word Study → himselfוּבְשָׂר֖וֹū·ḇə·śā·rōw — Flesh; body; meat; human natureH1320 — Full Word Study →, then he shall bearוְנָשָׂ֖אwə·nā·śā — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → his iniquityעֲוֺנֽוֹ׃פ‘ă·wō·nōw — Iniquity, guilt, or moral wrongdoingH5771 — Full Word Study →.”
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Chapter Commentary — Leviticus 17
Chapter Overview

Overview of Leviticus 17

Leviticus 17 establishes crucial regulations regarding where and how sacrifices must be offered, and strictly prohibits the consumption of blood. This chapter enforces the centrality of the tabernacle in Israel's worship and reveals the profound theological significance of blood in atonement. The laws presented here—applicable to both native Israelites and resident foreigners—underscore that the blood belongs to God alone, reserved for the altar as the means of making atonement for the soul. These regulations protected Israel from adopting pagan sacrificial practices and reinforced that proper worship must be done God's way, in God's place, through God's appointed means.

Verses 1–5: The Centrality of the Tabernacle in Sacrifice

The LORD commands that any slaughter of livestock—whether an ox, lamb, or goat—must be brought to the door of the tabernacle and offered as a peace offering before the priest. This applies whether the animal is killed in the camp or outside it. Failure to do so results in the penalty of being "cut off from among his people," indicating either capital punishment or excommunication. The purpose of this regulation (v. 5) is clear: to bring all sacrificial worship under priestly oversight and to prevent the people from offering sacrifices in the open field, potentially mimicking the idolatrous practices of surrounding nations. This law centralized Israel's worship life, making the tabernacle—and later the temple—the only legitimate place for offerings to the LORD.

Verses 6–7: The Priestly Function and the Rejection of Idolatry

The priest's role is to sprinkle the blood upon the altar and burn the fat as a sweet savor to the LORD. Verse 7 reveals a deeper spiritual concern: these regulations were designed to prevent Israel from offering sacrifices to demons or false gods ("devils"), after whom they were prone to "go a whoring." This language describes Israel's tendency toward spiritual unfaithfulness. By centralizing all sacrifice at the tabernacle, God protected His covenant people from the spiritual danger of syncretism. This statute was to remain forever, emphasizing its perpetual importance in Israel's religious life.

Verses 8–9: Extended Application to Sojourners

The law is now explicitly extended to "strangers which sojourn among you"—resident foreigners living in Israel. They too must bring burnt offerings and sacrifices to the tabernacle door; those who do not face the same penalty of being cut off. This universality of the law demonstrates that God's standards for worship were absolute, not culturally negotiable. True worship of the LORD required submission to His prescribed means, regardless of one's ethnic background.

Verses 10–14: The Sacred Prohibition Against Eating Blood

Perhaps the most emphatic section, verses 10–14 forbid the consumption of any blood by Israelites or resident foreigners. The reason is profoundly theological: "the life of the flesh is in the blood" (v. 11). God has reserved the blood exclusively for the altar, where it makes atonement for the soul. Blood is not common food; it is holy, set apart for God's redemptive purpose. Breaking this law incurs God's direct opposition—"I will even set my face against that soul"—and results in being cut off from the people. This prohibition applies universally and emphasizes that only through shed blood can atonement be made.

Verses 15–16: Defilement and Responsibility

Those who eat animals that died naturally or were torn by beasts become ceremonially unclean and must wash and bathe. However, if someone neglects this cleansing ritual, "he shall bear his iniquity." This teaches that ignorance offers no excuse; each person bears responsibility for obedience and proper restoration.

Application for Today

While we no longer observe Levitical sacrificial laws, Leviticus 17 points us to Christ, whose blood was shed once for all for our sins. The exclusivity of the blood's redemptive power foreshadows the exclusivity of Christ's atoning sacrifice. We worship today not at a tabernacle but through faith in Jesus, who is our High Priest and our perfect offering. This chapter reminds us that true worship must be on God's terms, approached through His appointed way, and that the blood of Christ alone makes atonement for our souls.

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