“Only ye shall not eat the blood; ye shall pour it upon the earth as water.”
Deuteronomy is a book of the Bible that contains Moses’ farewell speeches to the Israelites, given just before they entered the Promised Land. In these speeches, Moses reinforced the importance of obeying God’s commands and warned the Israelites against idolatry and assimilating the practices of the surrounding nations.
Deuteronomy 12:16 is part of a larger section (Deuteronomy 12:1-28) where Moses addresses the Israelites regarding their worship practices. In this section, he instructs them on how to worship God and warns against idolatry. Let’s examine this verse in its broader context to gain a better understanding.
Dietary Restrictions: The verse begins by stating, “Only ye shall not eat the blood.” This prohibition refers to the consumption of blood, which was a recurring theme in the dietary laws given to the Israelites (Leviticus 17:10-12). The reason behind this command is to teach reverence for life and to remind the people that life belongs to God. By abstaining from consuming blood, they were acknowledging that God alone is the giver and sustainer of life.
Blood as a Sacred Element: The second part of the verse instructs the Israelites to pour the blood on the earth as water. This practice of pouring out the blood was meant to emphasize its sacredness and separate it from their ordinary consumption. The blood was to be treated with reverence and returned to the earth, rather than being consumed as part of their diet.
Symbolic Meaning: This verse carries a symbolic significance beyond its literal instruction. Blood is often associated with life in the Bible, and the pouring out of blood signifies the offering of life back to God. It serves as a reminder that life is precious and belongs to God, and it should not be treated casually or consumed in an ordinary manner.
Application for Christians: While this commandment was given specifically to the Israelites as part of the Mosaic Law, Christians are not bound by the dietary restrictions of the Old Testament. In the New Testament, the Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15:28-29) clarified that Gentile believers were not required to adhere to the dietary laws of the Jews. However, the principle behind this commandment can still be relevant for Christians today. It reminds us to treat life as a sacred gift from God, to value the sanctity of life, and to give thanks to Him for it.
In conclusion, Deuteronomy 12:16 instructs the Israelites not to eat the blood of animals but rather to pour it out on the earth as an act of reverence for the sanctity of life. While Christians are not obligated to follow this specific commandment, it serves as a reminder to value and respect the gift of life that God has given us.
