Lesson 297: Leviticus 17:11
Lesson 297: Leviticus 17:11
Leviticus 17:11
The Blueprint — The Verse
For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life.
Memorization Practice
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The Context — The History
Israel's sacrificial system operated within a worldview that treated blood as sacred because it represented life given by God. In a land surrounded by pagan worship, these laws guarded against misuse of blood while pointing to atonement for sin before a holy God.
The Narrative — The Lead-Up
Leviticus 17 forbids eating blood and requires that sacrificial animals be brought to the tabernacle. God explains that blood, representing life, is appointed for atonement on the altar, making clear that forgiveness is costly and belongs to the Lord alone.
The Echo — Follow-on Verses
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Leviticus 17:10
“‘Any man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who live as foreigners among them, who eats any kind of blood, I will set my face against that soul who eats blood, and will cut him off from among his people.
Shown in World English Bible (WEB).
Read the verse immediately before this lesson (Leviticus 17:10) to hear the lead-in to the passage.
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Leviticus 17:12
Therefore I have said to the children of Israel, “No person among you may eat blood, nor may any stranger who lives as a foreigner among you eat blood.”
Shown in World English Bible (WEB).
Read the verse immediately after this lesson (Leviticus 17:12) to continue the passage.
Discussion
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Why is life-and-blood imagery so central to atonement?
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How does this verse help us understand later sacrificial themes in Scripture?
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What does it mean that forgiveness requires something given on our behalf?