And 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:

LEVITICUS 17:4KJV
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Leviticus 17:4 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 17:4 mean?

Leviticus 17:4 says that anyone who kills an animal for sacrifice but does not bring it to the entrance of the tabernacle to offer it to the LORD is considered guilty of shedding blood and will be cut off from the community. This rule was meant to ensure that all sacrifices were made properly and only at the designated place.

In this verse, God is speaking to the Israelites through Moses, giving them specific instructions about how and where to offer sacrifices. The tabernacle was the central place of worship, and bringing offerings there showed respect for God’s holiness and order. The warning about being “cut off” shows how seriously God wanted His people to follow these instructions and avoid practices that might lead to idolatry or disrespect.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 17:4

  • דָּם (dam, "blood"): In this verse, “blood shall be imputed unto that man” means the person is held responsible for bloodshed, as if he committed a serious offense. This highlights the gravity of offering sacrifices outside the proper place.
  • יָבִיא (yavi, "bringeth"): This word emphasizes an active bringing or presenting of the animal to the tabernacle, not just killing it anywhere. It stresses the importance of the act being done in the right location.
  • פֶּתַח (petach, "door"): Refers specifically to the entrance of the tabernacle, making it clear that sacrifices were not to be made elsewhere. This detail guarded against unauthorized or private worship practices.
  • כָּרַת (karat, "cut off"): This phrase means to be separated from the people, which could mean exile, loss of community, or even death. It shows the seriousness of disobeying this command.

Why Leviticus 17:4 matters

  • Leviticus 17:4 clarifies that sacrifices were not just private acts but were to be done publicly and in the way God commanded, preventing secret or idolatrous practices.
  • The verse highlights the importance of centralized worship in Israel’s life, showing that God wanted His people to approach Him in a specific, unified way.
  • This instruction connects to the broader theme in Leviticus of holiness and order in worship, setting Israel apart from surrounding nations who often practiced sacrifices in many locations.

Where else these words appear

“offering” Hebrew H7133 · used in 78 verses

  • Leviticus 1:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the LORD, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock.
  • Leviticus 7:16 But if the sacrifice of his offering be a vow, or a voluntary offering, it shall be eaten the same day that he offereth his sacrifice: and on the morrow also the remainder of it shall be eaten:
  • Numbers 7:41 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.

“shed” Hebrew H8210 · used in 111 verses

  • Genesis 9:6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
  • Psalms 22:14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
  • Ezekiel 16:36 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thy filthiness was poured out, and thy nakedness discovered through thy whoredoms with thy lovers, and with all the idols of thy abominations, and by the blood of thy children, which thou didst give unto them;

“imputed” Hebrew H2803 · used in 122 verses

  • Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
  • 2 Chronicles 26:15 And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.
  • Isaiah 2:22 Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?

“tabernacle” Hebrew H4908 · used in 129 verses

  • Exodus 25:9 According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.
  • Exodus 40:17 And it came to pass in the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was reared up.
  • Numbers 16:9 Seemeth it but a small thing unto you, that the God of Israel hath separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister unto them?