Topical Bible: Blood: The Jews often Guilty of Eating

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In the biblical context, the consumption of blood is a significant topic, particularly in the Old Testament, where it is explicitly prohibited. The prohibition against eating blood is rooted in the covenantal laws given to the Israelites and is seen as a matter of obedience to God's commands.

Biblical Prohibition

The prohibition against consuming blood is first introduced in Genesis 9:4, where God commands Noah, "But you must not eat meat with its lifeblood still in it." This command is reiterated and expanded upon in the Mosaic Law. Leviticus 17:10-14 provides a detailed explanation: "If anyone from the house of Israel or any foreigner living among them eats any blood, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people. For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for your souls on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life. Therefore I say to the Israelites, 'None of you may eat blood, nor may any foreigner living among you eat blood.'"

The rationale for this prohibition is theological and sacrificial. Blood is considered the life force of a creature and is sacred to God. It is used in sacrificial rituals to atone for sin, symbolizing the life given in place of the sinner. Thus, consuming blood would be a violation of its sacred purpose.

Historical Context and Violations

Despite the clear prohibition, there are instances in the biblical narrative where the Israelites are depicted as guilty of consuming blood. One notable incident occurs in 1 Samuel 14:32-34, where, in their hunger, the Israelites slaughter animals and eat them with the blood. Saul responds by instructing them to bring the animals to a central location to be properly slaughtered, thus preventing further transgression.

The prophets also address the issue of consuming blood, often in the context of broader disobedience to God's laws. Ezekiel 33:25-26 highlights this: "Therefore tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: 'You eat meat with the blood, you lift your eyes to your idols, and you shed blood. Should you then possess the land? You rely on your sword, you commit abominations, and each of you defiles his neighbor's wife. Should you then possess the land?'"

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the prohibition against consuming blood is reaffirmed for Gentile believers. At the Jerusalem Council, the apostles and elders decide that Gentile converts should abstain from certain practices, including eating blood. Acts 15:28-29 states, "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond these essential requirements: You must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality."

This decision underscores the continuity of the prohibition and its importance in maintaining the sanctity of life and obedience to God's commands.

Theological Implications

The prohibition against eating blood is deeply connected to the theological understanding of life and atonement. Blood, as the life force, is reserved for sacrificial purposes, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blood was shed for the atonement of humanity's sins. Hebrews 9:22 emphasizes this: "According to the Law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."

In summary, the biblical injunction against consuming blood is a significant aspect of the covenantal relationship between God and His people, reflecting the sacredness of life and the seriousness of atonement.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 14:32,33
And the people flew on the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew them on the ground: and the people did eat them with the blood.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 33:25
Why say to them, Thus said the Lord GOD; You eat with the blood, and lift up your eyes toward your idols, and shed blood: and shall you possess the land?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Concerning the Communion, or Participation of the Body and Blood ...
... First, that [as often] imports a command; the contrary ... be denied but the faithful
among the Jews received also ... from things strangled, and from blood, the use ...
/.../proposition xiii concerning the communion.htm

The Lord's Supper
... Grace is like a lamp, which if it be not often fed with oil is apt to ... sheds it; and
so brings that curse upon him, as when the Jews said, His blood be upon ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/4 5 the lords supper.htm

Letter xxix. (AD 395. )
... which at that time the body and blood of the ... to distinguish Christians from the obdurate
Jews, that they ... celebration of saints' days to repeat often the public ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter xxix a d 395.htm

Christ Crucified and Buried.
... victim lived seldom less than twenty-four hours, often three or ... deep meaning to
"the water and the blood" it is ... to be broken, was regarded by the Jews, and is ...
/.../the new testament commentary vol iii john/christ crucified and buried.htm

The Feast of the Lord
... as ye gaze upon this cup," but "as often as ye ... So the precious blood of Jesus Christ
our Saviour must be ... our indignation against the Romans or the Jews, but as ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/the feast of the lord.htm

"In Remembrance of Me"
... For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup ... The national festival of the
Jews was to pass away ... the emblems of His broken body and His spilled blood. ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 72 in remembrance of.htm

On Our Lord's Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension
... We often find persons who are in great anguish or dread ... The Jews acted against their
laws in the trial of Our ... a cloth upon a fresh wound the blood will soak ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 8 on our lords.htm

The Formation and Order of the Primitive Church.
... suppose, that they observed the ordinance as often as they ... way of salvation but by
his blood; and that ... The Jews could not assent to them, without acknowledging ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture iii the formation and.htm

Jesus Before Pilate.
... nothing, absolutely nothing, to induce the Jews to accept ... had against their insolence
and blood-thirstiness ... doggedness and cynical hardness that often pass for ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/xix jesus before pilate.htm

The Analogy Between the Two Advents of Christ.
... sat applauding and gloating over the flow of blood that followed. ... Unity of God was
held by the Jews alone ... ideals of the popular party, was too often only formal ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/10 the analogy between the.htm