The big picture
Leviticus 17 opens in verse 1 with “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,”, reaches its middle movement near verse 8 with “And thou shalt say unto them, Whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the…”, and closes in verse 16 with “But if he wash them not, nor bathe his flesh; then he shall bear his iniquity.” Repeated or prominent terms include blood, LORD, Israel, children, flesh. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Leviticus · King James Version · 16Leviticus 17:1-8
1–8: The LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Leviticus 17:1–8 opens with “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,” and reaches “And thou shalt say unto them, Whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Leviticus 17 develops its own movement around blood, LORD, Israel, children, flesh, with particular weight carried by LORD, Israel, offer.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,” Naming Moses keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“What man soever there be of the house of Israel, that killeth an ox, or lamb, or goat, in the camp, or that killeth it…” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“To the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which they offer in the open field, even that they…” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring. This shall be a…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Leviticus 17:1-8
King James Version1And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2Speak 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,
3What 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,
4And 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:
5To 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 .
6And 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 .
7And 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.
8And 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,
Leviticus 17:9-16
9–16: Bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to…
Leviticus 17:9–16 opens with “And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer it unto the…” and reaches “But if he wash them not, nor bathe his flesh; then he shall bear his iniquity.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Leviticus 17 develops its own movement around blood, LORD, Israel, children, flesh, with particular weight carried by blood, flesh, eateth.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer it unto the LORD ; even that man…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“For 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…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
“And whatsoever man there be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, which hunteth and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“And every soul that eateth that which died of itself, or that which was torn with beasts, whether it be one of your…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Leviticus 17:9-16
King James Version9And 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.
10And 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.
11For 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.
12Therefore I said unto the children of Israel, No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood.
13And 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.
14For 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.
15And 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.
16But if he wash them not, nor bathe his flesh; then he shall bear his iniquity.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Leviticus 17:1 begins with “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,”
Where the chapter turns
Leviticus 17:12 forms a natural hinge: “Therefore I said unto the children of Israel, No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood.”
The final note
Leviticus 17:16 leaves the reader with “But if he wash them not, nor bathe his flesh; then he shall bear his iniquity.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words blood, LORD, Israel, children, flesh, offer help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What does the covenant promise besides descendants?
Kings, land and an enduring relationship in which God is their God.
How are Isaac and Ishmael distinguished without erasing either?
Isaac carries the named covenant line; Ishmael is heard and promised fruitfulness and twelve princes.
KJV words made clear
- unto
- to
- thou
- you
- hath
- has
- spake
- spoke
- sojourn
- live somewhere as a resident outsider
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.