Verses 10-12
Leviticus 17:10-2 Kings : . Prohibition of “ Eating Blood,” i.e. of eating flesh not properly drained of blood ( Genesis 9:4 *).— The reason given, that the life is in the blood ( Leviticus 17:11), underlies the special importance of the blood in the earlier chapters and the whole sacrificial practice. The blood “ makes atonement,” i.e. it is the part of the sacrifice brought into contact, so to speak, with Yahweh, which therefore secures the worshipper’ s power to approach Yahweh Himself, the main object of the sacrifice. As such, the blood would naturally be dangerous for man; its use would be an invasion of Yahweh’ s prerogative ( cf. the prohibition of fat, Leviticus 3:17). The prohibition of blood has therefore been applied by Jews to all slaughter, in every age ( cf. Leviticus 17:13). Disobedience is as dangerous for aliens ( Leviticus 17:12) as for Hebrews. Note that Yahweh Himself is felt to “ cut off” the criminal ( Leviticus 17:10, contrast Leviticus 17:9), and to provide the ancient taboo as a means of approach to Himself ( Leviticus 17:11).
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