And 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.
LEVITICUS 17:13KJVWhat does Leviticus 17:13 mean?
Leviticus 17:13 commands that anyone among the Israelites or foreigners living with them who hunts and kills a wild animal or bird for food must pour out its blood and cover it with dust. This rule applies to both native Israelites and non-Israelites living in their community.
In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, giving instructions for the people of Israel as they live together in the wilderness. The command highlights respect for the life of animals by requiring the blood—often seen as representing life—to be treated with care and not consumed. This practice set Israel apart from other nations and reinforced the idea that life belongs to God.
The Hebrew behind Leviticus 17:13
- "strangers" (גֵּר, ger): This word means a foreigner or sojourner living among the Israelites. The command is not just for Israelites but also for outsiders living with them, showing that God's instructions were meant for the whole community.
- "pour" (שָׁפַךְ, shafakh): This verb means to pour out or spill. The act of pouring out the blood is intentional, not accidental, emphasizing a deliberate respect for the life taken.
- "blood" (דָּם, dam): In Hebrew thought, blood represents life itself. By pouring it out and covering it, the people acknowledge that life is sacred and belongs to God.
- "cover" (כָּסָה, kasah): This means to cover or conceal. Covering the blood with dust is a sign of respect and a way to return the life force to the earth.
Why Leviticus 17:13 matters
- Leviticus 17:13 clarifies that the respect for life and the handling of blood is not just for sacrifices at the altar but also for ordinary hunting and eating.
- The verse shows that God's laws were meant to shape the daily habits of everyone living in Israel, not just the native-born but also foreigners.
- This command connects to the broader theme in Leviticus 17 about the sacredness of blood and sets Israel apart from neighboring cultures that might have used blood differently in their rituals or diets.