Leviticus 17:10 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 17:10 mean?

Leviticus 17:10 warns that anyone from Israel, or any foreigner living among them, who eats blood will be rejected by God and separated from the community. The verse makes it clear that eating blood is strictly forbidden, and breaking this command brings a serious consequence from God Himself.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, giving instructions for the Israelites and any outsiders living with them. The setting is the wilderness, where God is establishing laws for worship and daily life. The focus here is on the seriousness of respecting blood, which is treated as sacred in the laws given to Israel.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 17:10

• "strangers" (גֵּר, ger): This word refers to foreigners or non-Israelites who are living among the Israelites. The command applies equally to them, showing that this law is not just for native Israelites but for the whole community.
• "set...face" (נָתַן פָּנִים, natan panim): This phrase means to turn one’s attention or opposition toward someone. Here, it emphasizes that God Himself will actively oppose anyone who eats blood, not just passively allow a punishment.
• "cut...off" (כָּרַת, karat): This word means to remove or separate someone from their people, which could mean exclusion from the community or even death. The consequence is severe, showing how important this law is.

Why Leviticus 17:10 matters

• Leviticus 17:10 clarifies that the prohibition against eating blood is not just a ritual detail but a central command with serious consequences, directly involving God’s judgment.
• The verse shows that God’s laws about blood apply to everyone living among the Israelites, not just the Israelites themselves, highlighting the importance of this command for the whole community.
• This verse connects to the wider passage, which explains that blood is sacred because it represents life; this sets the stage for understanding later teachings about sacrifice and atonement in the Bible.