Read Scripture ad-free with Bible Gateway Plus—trusted Study Bibles and commentaries beside every verse. Try it FREE for 7 days.
Log In/Sign Up

#
Leviticus 17
New International Version

### Eating Blood Forbidden

17 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Speak to Aaron and his sons(A) and to all the Israelites and say to them: ‘This is what the Lord has commanded: 3 Any Israelite who sacrifices an ox,[a] a lamb(B) or a goat(C) in the camp or outside of it 4 instead of bringing it to the entrance to the tent of meeting(D) to present it as an offering to the Lord in front of the tabernacle of the Lord(E)—that person shall be considered guilty of bloodshed; they have shed blood and must be cut off from their people.(F) 5 This is so the Israelites will bring to the Lord the sacrifices they are now making in the open fields. They must bring them to the priest, that is, to the Lord, at the entrance to the tent of meeting and sacrifice them as fellowship offerings.(G) 6 The priest is to splash the blood against the altar(H) of the Lord(I) at the entrance to the tent of meeting and burn the fat as an aroma pleasing to the Lord.(J) 7 They must no longer offer any of their sacrifices to the goat idols[b](K) to whom they prostitute themselves.(L) This is to be a lasting ordinance(M) for them and for the generations to come.’(N)

8 “Say to them: ‘Any Israelite or any foreigner residing among them who offers a burnt offering or sacrifice 9 and does not bring it to the entrance to the tent(O) of meeting(P) to sacrifice it to the Lord(Q) must be cut off from the people of Israel.

10 “‘I will set my face against any Israelite or any foreigner residing among them who eats blood,(R) and I will cut them off from the people. 11 For the life of a creature is in the blood,(S) and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.[c](T) 12 Therefore I say to the Israelites, “None of you may eat blood, nor may any foreigner residing among you eat blood.”

13 “‘Any Israelite or any foreigner residing among you who hunts any animal or bird that may be eaten must drain out the blood and cover it with earth,(U) 14 because the life of every creature is its blood. That is why I have said to the Israelites, “You must not eat the blood of any creature, because the life of every creature is its blood; anyone who eats it must be cut off.”(V)

15 “‘Anyone, whether native-born or foreigner, who eats anything(W) found dead or torn by wild animals(X) must wash their clothes and bathe with water,(Y) and they will be ceremonially unclean till evening;(Z) then they will be clean. 16 But if they do not wash their clothes and bathe themselves, they will be held responsible.(AA)’”

#### Footnotes

1. Leviticus 17:3 The Hebrew word can refer to either male or female.
2. Leviticus 17:7 Or the demons
3. Leviticus 17:11 Or atonement by the life in the blood

#### Cross references

1. Leviticus 17:2 : Lev 10:6, 12
2. Leviticus 17:3 : S Lev 3:7
3. Leviticus 17:3 : S Lev 7:23
4. Leviticus 17:4 : ver 9; 1Ki 8:4; 2Ch 1:3
5. Leviticus 17:4 : Dt 12:5-21
6. Leviticus 17:4 : S Ge 17:14
7. Leviticus 17:5 : S Lev 3:1; Eze 43:27
8. Leviticus 17:6 : S Lev 4:18
9. Leviticus 17:6 : S Lev 3:2
10. Leviticus 17:6 : S Lev 1:9
11. Leviticus 17:7 : S Ex 22:20
12. Leviticus 17:7 : S Ex 34:15; Jer 3:6, 9; Eze 23:3; 1Co 10:20
13. Leviticus 17:7 : S Ex 12:14
14. Leviticus 17:7 : S Ge 9:12
15. Leviticus 17:9 : S Lev 1:3
16. Leviticus 17:9 : S ver 4
17. Leviticus 17:9 : S Lev 3:7
18. Leviticus 17:10 : S Ge 9:4
19. Leviticus 17:11 : ver 14
20. Leviticus 17:11 : Heb 9:22
21. Leviticus 17:13 : Lev 7:26; Eze 24:7; 33:25; Ac 15:20
22. Leviticus 17:14 : S Ge 9:4
23. Leviticus 17:15 : S Lev 7:24
24. Leviticus 17:15 : S Ex 22:31
25. Leviticus 17:15 : S Lev 14:8
26. Leviticus 17:15 : S Lev 11:40
27. Leviticus 17:16 : S Lev 5:1

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.

### More on the NIV

- Unleash God's Word!

#### Bible Gateway Recommends

NIV, The Story, Hardcover, Comfort Print: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People
Retail: $19.98
Our Price: $7.50
Save: $12.48 (62%)
Buy Now
NIV Application Bible, Red Letter, Comfort Print: Bringing the Ancient Message of the Bible into Your World
Retail: $54.99
Our Price: $35.00
Save: $19.99 (36%)
Buy Now
NIV, The Woman's Study Bible, Full-Color, Red Letter: Receiving God's Truth for Balance, Hope, and Transformation
Retail: $49.99
Our Price: $34.99
Save: $15.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NIV, Chronological Study Bible, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New International Version
Retail: $49.99
Our Price: $34.99
Save: $15.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NIV, Biblical Theology Study Bible, Comfort Print: Follow God’s Redemptive Plan as It Unfolds throughout Scripture
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $41.99
Save: $18.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NIV, Journal the Word Bible, Red Letter, Comfort Print: Reflect, Take Notes, or Create Art Next to Your Favorite Verses
Retail: $39.99
Our Price: $27.99
Save: $12.00 (30%)
Buy Now
View more titles