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Blood of animals

Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia

(Gen 9:4; Lev 17:11, 14; Deut 12:23) - when God permitted Noah and his descendants to eat animal flesh, He expressly forbade the consumption of blood. 'The life of the flesh is in the blood' (Lev 17:11), and 'the blood is the life' (Deut 12:23). The Mosaic Law repeats the prohibition for ordinary food and for animals eaten after sacred rites and feasts (Lev 3:17; 7:26-27; Deut 12:16, 23-24; 15:23). Violators were liable to death (Lev 7:27; 17:10). Saul's army once transgressed the command (1 Sam 14:32), and later Israelites did so repeatedly (Ezek 33:25).

Scripture cited

Genesis 9:4 Leviticus 17:11 Deuteronomy 12:23 Leviticus 3:17 Deuteronomy 12:16 Leviticus 7:27 1 Kingdoms 14:32 Jezekiel 33:25

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