The phrase "Blood is the Life" encapsulates a profound biblical principle that underscores the significance of blood in both physical and spiritual contexts. This concept is deeply rooted in the Scriptures, where blood is consistently portrayed as a vital element of life and a symbol of atonement and covenant.

Biblical Foundation

The foundational understanding of blood as life is first introduced in the Old Testament. In Genesis 9:4, God commands Noah, "But you must not eat meat with its lifeblood still in it." This directive highlights the sanctity of blood, emphasizing that it is more than a physical substance; it is the essence of life itself.

Leviticus 17:11 further elucidates this principle: "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 is not only the life force of the flesh but also the means by which atonement is achieved. The sacrificial system established under the Mosaic Law required the shedding of blood to atone for sin, prefiguring the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.

Blood in the New Testament

The New Testament continues to affirm the life-giving and redemptive power of blood, culminating in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. In John 6:53-54, Jesus declares, "Truly, truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." This statement underscores the necessity of Christ's blood for spiritual life and eternal salvation.

The Apostle Paul reiterates this in Ephesians 1:7, stating, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace." The blood of Christ is the means by which believers are redeemed and reconciled to God, fulfilling the typology of the Old Testament sacrifices.

Covenantal Significance

Blood also serves as a sign of covenant throughout the Bible. In Exodus 24:8, Moses takes the blood of the covenant and sprinkles it on the people, saying, "This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words." This act signifies the binding agreement between God and Israel, sealed with blood.

In the New Testament, Jesus establishes the New Covenant through His blood. During the Last Supper, He proclaims in Matthew 26:28, "This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." The shedding of Christ's blood inaugurates a new relationship between God and humanity, characterized by grace and forgiveness.

Spiritual Implications

The concept of "Blood is the Life" carries profound spiritual implications for believers. It serves as a reminder of the cost of sin and the depth of God's love, demonstrated through the sacrificial death of His Son. The blood of Christ is central to the Christian faith, symbolizing purification, redemption, and the promise of eternal life.

In Hebrews 9:22, the author asserts, "According to the Law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." This reinforces the necessity of Christ's sacrifice and the transformative power of His blood in the life of a believer.

Conclusion

The biblical theme of blood as life is a testament to the sacredness of life and the profound spiritual truths embedded in the sacrificial system. It points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blood brings life, redemption, and eternal hope to all who believe.Genesis 9:4
But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall you not eat.
Nave's Topical Index

Leviticus 17:11,14
For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you on the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that makes an atonement for the soul.
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Leviticus 19:16
You shall not go up and down as a talebearer among your people: neither shall you stand against the blood of your neighbor; I am the LORD.
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Deuteronomy 12:23
Only be sure that you eat not the blood: for the blood is the life; and you may not eat the life with the flesh.
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Matthew 27:4,24
Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see you to that.
Nave's Topical Index

4689. spendo -- to pour out (as a drink offering), to make a ...
... as a drink-offering, ; figuratively, 'or ' (in the shedding of my life-blood), Phil
2:17" (); that is, the " 'outpouring' of one's life blood in service and ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4689.htm - 7k

3781. opheiletes -- a debtor
... He extends release to us, forgiving the penalty for each time we His gift of life
rather than it. Indeed, the blood of Jesus removes all the (condemnation) of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3781.htm - 7k

2588. kardia -- heart
... Phonetic Spelling: (kar-dee'-ah) Short Definition: the heart, inner life, intention
Definition ... but referring to the literal physical pump that drives the blood. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2588.htm - 7k

1818. dam -- blood
... Usage blood (303), bloodguilt (2), bloodguiltiness (12), bloodshed (27), bloody
(7), death (1), guilt of blood (2), homicide or another (1), life (1), lifeblood ...
/hebrew/1818.htm - 6k

8210. shaphak -- to pour out, pour
... A primitive root; to spill forth (blood, a libation, liquid metal; or even a solid,
ie To mound up); also (figuratively) to expend (life, soul, complaint, money ...
/hebrew/8210.htm - 6k

582. enosh -- man, mankind
... man, mankind NASB Word Usage advisers* (2), friends* (1), life (1), man ... hence, a
man in general (singly or collectively) -- another, X (blood-)thirsty, certain ...
/hebrew/582.htm - 6k

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

Brooks -- the Pride of Life
... Many and many a man who passes for a sober, conscientious, religious sort of man
at fifty, if you put back into his cooled blood the hot life he had at twenty ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 8/brooks the pride of.htm

Death is the Gate of Life
... grace, that each soul that would enter into real life must bear at the outset this
crimson seal; there must be the individual "sprinkling of the Blood of Jesus ...
//christianbookshelf.org/trotter/parables of the cross/death is the gate of.htm

Mr. Moody and Rev. Marcus Rainsford.
... R.""The blood is the life." The sentence upon sinners for their sin was, "The soul
that sinneth it shall die." That we might not die, the Son of God died. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sovereign grace/i mr moody and rev marcus.htm

An Unalterable Law
... how would I try to hammer again, and again, and again upon this one nail, "The blood
is the life thereof." "When I see the blood, I will pass over you.". ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 60 1914/an unalterable law.htm

The Blood of Sprinkling
... the key-note of the gospel dispensation. The blood of Christ is the life
of the gospel. Apart from atonement you may know the skin ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/the blood of sprinkling.htm

The Blood of the Testament
... Blood! ... and what was that Jesus Christ in the fulness of time set the seal to the
covenant, to make it valid and secure, by pouring out his life's blood to make ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 58 1912/the blood of the testament.htm

Its Nature
... there is the same reward.' Whereas, when we join the active and passive obedience
of our Lord"the peace-speaking Blood with the Life-giving righteousness ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/5 its nature.htm

Symbolism of the Church Building
... the world.... Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal
life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh ...
/.../regester/the worship of the church/symbolism of the church building.htm

Life on the Top Floor
... A breakdown to the moral life is just as natural, and just as much a matter ... should
not the modes and predilections of the savage nature be still in my blood? ...
/.../stones rolled away and other addresses to young men/v life on the top.htm

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