The Sanctity of Blood
Leviticus 17
The Lord commands that all oxen, sheep, or goats be slain at the door of the tabernacle rather than elsewhere, forbids sacrificing to false gods, and reaffirms the prohibition against eating blood, even the blood of animals taken in hunting.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonAGAIN the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
BrentonAnd the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
GreekΚαὶ ἐλάλησε Κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν, λέγων,
KJVAnd the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
JPSAnd the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:
2
ThomsonSpeak to Aaron and his sons, and to all the sons of Israel, and thou shalt say unto them, This is the thing which the Lord hath commanded, saying,
BrentonSpeak to Aaron and to his sons, and to all the children of Israel, and thou shalt say to them, This is the word which the Lord has commanded, saying,
Greekλάλησον πρὸς Ἀαρὼν καὶ πρὸς τοὺς υἱοὺς αὐτοῦ, καὶ πρὸς πάντας υἱοὺς Ἰσραὴλ, καὶ ἐρεῖς πρὸς αὐτοὺς, τοῦτο τὸ ῥῆμα ὃ ἐνετείλατο Κύριος, λέγων,
KJVSpeak unto Aaron, and unto his sons, and unto all the children of Israel, and say unto them; This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, saying,
JPSSpeak unto Aaron, and unto his sons, and unto all the children of Israel, and say unto them: This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, saying:
3
ThomsonBe the man who he may of the children of Israel, or of the proselytes who dwell among you, who shall kill a young bull, or a sheep, or a goat, in the camp, or who shall kill any of them out of the camp,
BrentonEvery man of the children of Israel, or of the strangers abiding among you, who shall kill a calf, or a sheep, or a goat in the camp, or who shall kill it out of the camp,
Greekἄνθρωπος ἄνθρωπος τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ, ἢ τῶν προσηλύτων τῶν προσκειμένων ἐν ὑμῖν, ὃς ἐὰν σφάξῃ μόσχον, ἢ πρόβατον, ἢ αἶγα ἐν τῇ παρεμβολῇ, καὶ ὃς ἂν σφάξῃ ἔξω τῆς παρεμβολῆς,
KJVWhat man soever there be of the house of Israel, that killeth an ox, or lamb, or goat, in the camp, or that killeth it out of the camp,
JPSWhat man soever there be of the house of Israel, that killeth an ox, or lamb, or goat, in the camp, or that killeth it without the camp,
4
Thomsonand not bring it to the door of the tabernacle of the testimony, that it may be offered for a whole burnt offering, or for a thank offering to the Lord, to be accepted for a smell of fragrance—even though he kill it without the camp, if he bring it not to the door of the tabernacle of the testimony, that it may be offered as a gift to the Lord, before the tabernacle of the Lord, blood shall be imputed to that man. He hath shed blood; that person shall be cut off from among his people.
Brentonand shall not bring it to the door of the tabernacle of witness, so as to sacrifice it for a whole-burnt-offering or peace-offering to the Lord to be acceptable for a sweet-smelling savour: and whosoever shall slay it without, and shall not bring it to the door of the tabernacle of witness, so as to offer it as a gift to the Lord before the tabernacle of the Lord; blood shall be imputed to that man, he has shed blood; that soul shall be cut off from his people.
Greekκαὶ ἐπὶ τὴν θύραν τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου μὴ ἐνέγκῃ, ὥστε ποιῆσαι αὐτὸ εἰς ὁλοκαύτωμα ἢ σωτήριον Κυρίῳ δεκτὸν εἰς ὀσμὴν εὐωδίας· καὶ ὃς ἂν σφάξῃ ἔξω, καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν θύραν τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου μὴ ἐνέγκῃ αὐτὸ, ὥστε προσενέγκαι δῶρον τῷ Κυρίῳ ἀπέναντι τῆς σκηνῆς Κυρίου· καὶ λογισθήσεται τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ ἐκείνῳ αἷμα· αὶμα ἐξέχεεν· ἐξολοθρευθήσεται ἡ ψυχὴ ἐκείνη ἐκ τοῦ λαοῦ αὐτῆς.
KJVAnd bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer an offering unto the LORD before the tabernacle of the LORD; blood shall be imputed unto that man; he hath shed blood; and that man shall be cut off from among his people:
JPSand hath not brought it unto the door of the tent of meeting, to present it as an offering unto the LORD before the tabernacle of the LORD, blood shall be imputed unto that man; he hath shed blood; and that man shall be cut off from among his people.
5
ThomsonIn order that the children of Israel may offer up their sacrifices, whatever they kill in the fields they shall carry for the Lord to the doors of the tabernacle of the testimony, to the priest, and offer them as a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Lord;
BrentonThat the children of Israel may offer their sacrifices, all that they shall slay in the fields, and bring them to the Lord unto the doors of the tabernacle of witness to the priest, and they shall sacrifice them as a peace-offering to the Lord.
GreekὍπως ἀναφέρωσιν οἱ υἱοὶ Ἰσραὴλ τὰς θυσίας αὐτῶν, ὅσας ἂν αὐτοὶ σφάξουσιν ἐν τοῖς πεδίοις, καὶ οἴσουσι τῷ Κυρίῳ ἐπὶ τὰς θύρας τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου πρὸς τὸν ἱερέα· καὶ θύσουσι θυσίαν σωτηρίου τῷ Κυρίῳ αὐτά.
KJVTo the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which they offer in the open field, even that they may bring them unto the LORD, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest, and offer them for peace offerings unto the LORD.
JPSTo the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which they sacrifice in the open field, even that they may bring them unto the LORD, unto the door of the tent of meeting, unto the priest, and sacrifice them for sacrifices of peace-offerings unto the LORD.
6
Thomsonand the priest shall pour the blood against the altar round about, before the Lord, at the doors of the tabernacle of the testimony; and offer up the suet for a smell of fragrance for the Lord.
BrentonAnd the priest shall pour the blood on the altar round about before the Lord by the doors of the tabernacle of witness, and shall offer the fat for a sweet-smelling savour to the Lord.
GreekΚαὶ προσχεεῖ ὁ ἱερεὺς τὸ αἷμα ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον κύκλῳ ἀπέναντι Κυρίου παρὰ τὰς θύρας τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου· καὶ ἀνοίσει τὸ στέαρ εἰς ὀσμὴν εὐωδίας Κυρίῳ.
KJVAnd the priest shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar of the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and burn the fat for a sweet savour unto the LORD.
JPSAnd the priest shall dash the blood against the altar of the LORD at the door of the tent of meeting, and make the fat smoke for a sweet savour unto the LORD.
7
ThomsonAnd they shall no more offer their sacrifices to vanities after which they go a whoring. It shall be a perpetual statute for you throughout your generations.
BrentonAnd they shall no longer offer their sacrifices to vain gods after which they go a whoring; it shall be a perpetual statute to you for your generations.
GreekΚαὶ οὐ θύσουσιν ἔτι τὰς θυσίας αὐτῶν τοῖς ματαίοις, οἷς αὐτοὶ ἐκπορνεύουσιν ὀπίσω αὐτῶν· νόμιμον αἰώνιον ἔσται ὑμῖν εἰς τὰς γενεὰς ὑμῶν.
KJVAnd they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring. This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations.
JPSAnd they shall no more sacrifice their sacrifices unto the satyrs, after whom they go astray. This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations. .
8
ThomsonTherefore thou shalt say unto them, Be the man who he may of the children of Israel, or of the children of the proselytes who dwell among you, who shall offer a whole burnt offering, or a sacrifice of flour,
BrentonAnd thou shalt say to them, Whatever man of the children of Israel, or of the sons of the proselytes abiding among you, shall offer a whole-burnt-offering or a sacrifice,
GreekΚαὶ ἐρεῖς πρὸς αὐτοὺς, ἄνθρωπος ἄνθρωπος τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ, ἢ ἀπὸ τῶν υἱῶν τῶν προσηλύτων τῶν προσκειμένων ἐν ὑμῖν, ὃς ἂν ποιήσῃ ὁλοκαύτωμα ἢ θυσίαν,
KJVAnd thou shalt say unto them, Whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers which sojourn among you, that offereth a burnt offering or sacrifice,
JPSAnd thou shalt say unto them: Whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among them, that offereth a burnt-offering or sacrifice,
9
Thomsonand not bring it to the door of the tabernacle of the testimony, that it may be offered to the Lord, that man shall be cut off from among his people.
Brentonand shall not bring it to the door of the tabernacle of witness to sacrifice it to the Lord, that man shall be destroyed from among his people.
Greekκαὶ ἐπὶ τὴν θύραν τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου μὴ ἐνέγκῃ ποιῆσαι αὐτὸ τῷ Κυρίῳ, ἐξολοθρευθήσεται ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος ἐκ τοῦ λαοῦ αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer it unto the LORD; even that man shall be cut off from among his people.
JPSand bringeth it not unto the door of the tent of meeting, to sacrifice it unto the LORD, even that man shall be cut off from his people.
10
ThomsonAnd be the man who he may of the children of Israel, or of the proselytes who dwell among you, who shall eat any blood, I will set my face against that person who eateth blood, and destroy him from among his people.
BrentonAnd whatever man of the children of Israel, or of the strangers abiding among you, shall eat any blood, I will even set my face against that soul that eats blood, and will destroy it from its people.
GreekΚαὶ ἄνθρωπος ἄνθρωπος τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ, ἢ τῶν προσηλύτων τῶν προσκειμένων ἐν ὑμῖν, ὃς ἂν φάγῃ πᾶν αἷμα· καὶ ἐπιστήσω τὸ πρόσωπόν μου ἐπὶ τὴν ψυχὴν τὴν ἔσθουσαν τὸ αἷμα, καὶ ἀπολῶ αὐτὴν ἐκ τοῦ λαοῦ αὐτῆς.
KJVAnd whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people.
JPSAnd whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among them, that eateth any manner of blood, I will set My face against that soul that eateth blood, and will cut him off from among his people.
11
ThomsonFor the blood is the life of all flesh; and I have given it to you to make atonement on the altar for your souls. For the blood shall make atonement for souls.
BrentonFor the life of flesh is its blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for its blood shall make atonement for the soul.
GreekἩ γὰρ ψυχὴ πάσης σαρκὸς αἷμα αὐτοῦ ἐστι· καὶ ἐγὼ δέδωκα αὐτὸ ὑμῖν ἐπὶ τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου ἐξιλάσκεσθαι περὶ τῶν ψυχῶν ὑμῶν· τὸ γὰρ αἷμα αὐτοῦ ἀντὶ ψυχῆς ἐξιλάσεται.
KJVFor 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.
JPSFor the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that maketh atonement by reason of the life.
12
ThomsonFor this cause I have said to the children of Israel, No person among you shall eat blood, even the proselyte who dwelleth among you shall not eat blood.
BrentonTherefore I said to the children of Israel, No soul of you shall eat blood, and the stranger that abides among you shall not eat blood.
GreekΔιὰ τοῦτο εἴρηκα τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἰσραὴλ, πᾶσα ψυχὴ ἐξ ὑμῶν οὐ φάγεται αἷμα· καὶ ὁ προσήλυτος ὁ προσκείμενος ἐν ὑμῖν οὐ φάγεται αἷμα.
KJVTherefore I said unto the children of Israel, No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood.
JPSTherefore I said unto the children of Israel: No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood.
13
ThomsonAnd be the man who he may of the children of Israel, or of the proselytes who dwell among you, who in hunting shall catch a wild beast, or a bird, which may be eaten, he shall pour out the blood, and cover it in the ground.
BrentonAnd whatever man of the children of Israel, or of the strangers abiding among you shall take any animal in hunting, beast, or bird, which is eaten, then shall he pour out the blood, and cover it in the dust.
GreekΚαὶ ἄνθρωπος ἄνθρωπος τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ, ἢ τῶν προσηλύτων τῶν προσκειμένων ἐν ὑμῖν, ὃς ἂν θηρεύσῃ θήρευμα θηρίον ἢ πετεινὸν, ὃ ἔσθεται, καὶ ἐκχεεῖ τὸ αἷμα, καὶ καλύψει αὐτὸ τῇ γῇ.
KJVAnd whatsoever man there be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, which hunteth and catcheth any beast or fowl that may be eaten; he shall even pour out the blood thereof, and cover it with dust.
JPSAnd whatsoever man there be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among them, that taketh in hunting any beast or fowl that may be eaten, he shall pour out the blood thereof, and cover it with dust.
14
ThomsonFor its blood is the life of all flesh, therefore I have said to the children of Israel, you shall not eat the blood of any flesh. Because its blood is the life of all flesh, everyone who eateth it shall be cut off.
BrentonFor the blood of all flesh is its life; and I said to the children of Israel, Ye shall not eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood: every one that eats it shall be destroyed.
GreekἩ γὰρ ψυχὴ πάσης σαρκὸς αἷμα αὐτοῦ ἐστι· καὶ εἶπα τοῖς υἱοῖς Ἰσραὴλ, αἷμα πάσης σαρκὸς οὐ φάγεσθε, ὅτι ἡ ψυχὴ πάσης σαρκὸς αἷμα αὐτοῦ ἐστί· πᾶς ὁ ἔσθων αὐτὸ, ἐξολοθρευθήσεται.
KJVFor it is the life of all flesh; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off.
JPSFor as to the life of all flesh, the blood thereof is all one with the life thereof; therefore I said unto the children of Israel: Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh; for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof; whosoever eateth it shall be cut off.
15
ThomsonAnd every person who eateth that which hath died of itself, or been caught by wild beasts, whether he be one of yourselves, or of the proselytes, shall wash his clothes, and wash himself with water, and be unclean until evening. Then he shall be clean.
BrentonAnd every soul which eats that which has died of itself, or is taken of beasts, either among the natives or among the strangers, shall wash his garments, and bathe himself in water, and shall be unclean until evening: then shall he be clean.
GreekΚαὶ πᾶσα ψυχὴ, ἥτις φάγεται θνησιμαῖον, ἢ θηριάλωτον ἐν τοῖς αὐτόχθοσιν, ἢ ἐν τοῖς προσηλύτοις, πλυνεῖ τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ, καὶ λούσεται ὕδατι, καὶ ἀκάθαρτος ἔσται ἕως ἑσπέρας, καὶ καθαρὸς ἔσται.
KJVAnd every soul that eateth that which died of itself, or that which was torn with beasts, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger, he shall both wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even: then shall he be clean.
JPSAnd every soul that eateth that which dieth of itself, or that which is torn of beasts, whether he be home-born or a stranger, he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even; then shall he be clean.
16
ThomsonBut if he do not wash his clothes, and if his body be not washed with water, he shall bear his iniquity.
BrentonBut if he do not wash his garments, and do not bathe his body in water, then shall he bear his iniquity.
GreekἘὰν δὲ μὴ πλύνῃ τὰ ἱμάτια, καὶ τὸ σῶμα μὴ λούσηται ὕδατι, καὶ λήψεται ἀνόμημα αὐτοῦ.
KJVBut if he wash them not, nor bathe his flesh; then he shall bear his iniquity.
JPSBut if he wash them not, nor bathe his flesh, then he shall bear his iniquity.