Blood-shedding, in the biblical context, refers to the act of causing blood to be spilled, often through violence or sacrifice. It is a significant theme throughout the Scriptures, symbolizing both the gravity of sin and the means of atonement.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, blood-shedding is first introduced in the narrative of Cain and Abel. Cain's murder of Abel marks the first instance of human bloodshed, highlighting the destructive nature of sin. Genesis 4:10 records God's response: "What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground."

The Mosaic Law further addresses blood-shedding, particularly in the context of justice and atonement. Numbers 35:33 states, "Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell. For I, the LORD, dwell among the Israelites." This verse underscores the seriousness of bloodshed and its defiling effect on the land, necessitating justice and reparation.

Blood also plays a crucial role in the sacrificial system. Leviticus 17:11 explains, "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life." Here, blood-shedding in sacrifices is portrayed as essential for atonement, prefiguring the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.

New Testament Fulfillment

The New Testament reveals the fulfillment of the sacrificial system through the blood-shedding of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 9:22 affirms, "In fact, under the Law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." This verse emphasizes the necessity of Christ's sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins.

The crucifixion of Jesus is the ultimate act of blood-shedding, serving as the means of redemption for humanity. Ephesians 1:7 declares, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace." The shedding of Christ's blood is central to the New Covenant, offering believers reconciliation with God.

Moral and Ethical Implications

The Bible consistently condemns unjust blood-shedding, equating it with murder and violence. Proverbs 6:16-17 lists "hands that shed innocent blood" among the things the Lord hates. This underscores the moral imperative to value and protect human life, reflecting the image of God in every person.

In the prophetic literature, blood-shedding is often associated with societal injustice and corruption. Isaiah 59:3-4 laments, "For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters injustice." The prophets call for repentance and a return to righteousness, highlighting the need for societal transformation.

Eschatological Significance

In eschatological terms, the Book of Revelation speaks of blood-shedding in the context of divine judgment. Revelation 6:10 records the martyrs crying out, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge those who live on the earth and avenge our blood?" This anticipates the ultimate justice of God, where all wrongs, including unjust blood-shedding, will be righted.

Blood-shedding, therefore, serves as a profound biblical motif, illustrating the seriousness of sin, the necessity of atonement, and the hope of redemption through Christ's sacrifice.130. haimatekchusia -- shedding of blood
... shedding of blood. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: haimatekchusia
Phonetic Spelling: (hahee-mat-ek-khoo-see'-ah) Short Definition: a shedding or ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/130.htm - 6k

The Blood-Shedding
... But as there is no remission without blood-shedding, IT IS IMPLIED THAT THERE IS ...
to the garden of Gethsemane and the mount of Calvary to see the bloodshedding. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the blood-shedding.htm

The Blood of Sprinkling
... The "blood was the life;" and the pouring out of the blood was the "pouring out
of the soul." This blood shedding or life-taking was the payment of the penalty ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bonar/gods way of peace/chapter v the blood of.htm

The Blood of the Covenant
... No forgiveness, no covenant without blood-shedding. ... As wonderful as the blood-shedding
for our redemption is the blood-sprinkling for our cleansing. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/the two covenants/chapter ix the blood of.htm

The Voice of the Blood of Christ
... What did Abel bring? He brought a sacrifice which showed the necessity of
blood-shedding but Christ brought the blood-shedding itself. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the voice of the blood.htm

An Unalterable Law
... Without the blood-shedding, there is no remission. But others suppose that, at any
rate, active reformation growing out of repentance may achieve the task. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 60 1914/an unalterable law.htm

Hebrews xi. 7
... and lying and stealing and adultery, are poured out upon the earth." ( Hosea 4:2.)
Some "mingle blood upon blood"; and others do deeds worse than blood-shedding ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxiii hebrews xi 7.htm

Idols not to be Made, Much Less Worshipped. Idols and Idol-Makers ...
... Oehler's own interpretation of the reading he gives--"blood-shedding"--appears
unsatisfactory. [182] "In fanis." This is Oehler's reading on conjecture. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on idolatry/chapter iv idols not to be.htm

Of the Pugilists and Gladiators.
... animals for the purpose of eating their flesh, and you purchase men to supply a
cannibal banquet for the soul, nourishing it by the most impious bloodshedding. ...
/.../tatian/tatians address to the greeks/chapter xxiii of the pugilists and.htm

Application of these Motives
... To be fellow-workers with God and his Spirit is no little honor; to subserve the
blood-shedding of Christ for men's salvation is not a light thing. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/article 4.htm

Interview with Mr. Mendizabal
... I replied that I was not aware that the holy book contained any passages sanctioning
blood-shedding and violence, but I rather thought that it abounded with ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/interview with mr mendizabal.htm

Bloodshedding
...BLOODSHEDDING. blud'-shed-ing (haimatekchusia, Hebrews 9:22): In this passage the
indispensability of expiating sacrifice is positively set forth. ...
/b/bloodshedding.htm - 6k

Blood-shedding (2 Occurrences)
Blood-shedding. Bloodshedding, Blood-shedding. Bloodshot . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (DBY). Bloodshedding, Blood-shedding. Bloodshot . Reference Bible.
/b/blood-shedding.htm - 7k

Bloodshed (43 Occurrences)

/b/bloodshed.htm - 19k

Purified (44 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Hebrews 9:22 and almost all things are purified with blood according to the
law, and without blood-shedding there is no remission. (DBY YLT RSV). ...
/p/purified.htm - 20k

Bloodshot (1 Occurrence)

/b/bloodshot.htm - 6k

Priest (500 Occurrences)
... was the chief duty of a priest to reconcile men to God by making atonement for their
sins; and this he effected by means of sacrifice, blood-shedding (Hebrews 5 ...
/p/priest.htm - 88k

Sacrifice (300 Occurrences)
... "In any case the phrase (en to autou haimati, `in his blood,' Romans 3:25) carries
with it the idea of sacrificial blood-shedding" (Sanday, Commentary on ...
/s/sacrifice.htm - 101k

Covenant (309 Occurrences)
... a mere accident. But this is not the view of the New Testament writers.
The blood-shedding is to them a necessity. Of course, it ...
/c/covenant.htm - 101k

New (1850 Occurrences)
... a mere accident. But this is not the view of the New Testament writers.
The blood-shedding is to them a necessity. Of course, it ...
/n/new.htm - 101k

Why is Christianity such a bloody religion? | GotQuestions.org

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