Leviticus 17:11

Laws against Eating Blood · Leviticus 17:10–16
Read Leviticus 17

Translations

Modern
For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for your souls upon the altar; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.
Traditional
For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.
Literal
For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement upon your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement by the soul.
Latin
…quia anima carnis in sanguine est: et ego dedi illum vobis, ut super altare in eo expietis pro animabus vestris, et sanguis pro animæ piaculo sit.

Original

Hebrew
English
For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for your souls upon the altar; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.

Notes

the life of the flesh is in the blood: God forbade Israel to consume blood because it symbolized the life given by God (Leviticus 17:10). They set it aside as God's portion of each animal offering. God also designated the sacrificial blood as the way to atone. This means God's grace accepted the life of the animal in exchange for the life of the sinner.

In the New Testament, the blood of Christ—representing his life freely given—provides eternal redemption for believers (Hebrews 9:12).

Theme notes and profiles

Ancient Law Codes Atonement

Glossary

Atonement Biblical Concept of Law Blood Bloodguilt Deuteronomy, Book of Dietary Laws Food and Food Preparation Foreigner History of Israel Leviticus, Book of Messiah Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

Topics

Atonement: Made by Animal Sacrifices Atonement: Made by Jesus: Typified Blood is the Life Blood of Legal Sacrifices for Atonement Blood Pressure Blood Transfusion Blood: Forbidden to be Used As Food Blood: Sacrificial: Sprinkled on the Mercy Seat Blood: The Life of Animals Drinking Blood Pardon: None Without Shedding of Blood Sanitation: Food Strangers in Israel: Laws Respecting: Not to Eat Blood The Atonement: Typified The Blood The Blood of Jesus