(1.) As food, prohibited in Gen. 9:4, where the use of animal food is first allowed. Comp. Deut. 12:23; Lev. 3:17; 7:26; 17:10-14. The injunction to abstain from blood is renewed in the decree of the council of Jerusalem (Acts 15:29). It has been held by some, and we think correctly, that this law of prohibition was only ceremonial and temporary; while others regard it as still binding on all. Blood was eaten by the Israelites after the battle of Gilboa (1 Sam. 14:32-34). (2.) The blood of sacrifices was caught by the priest in a basin, and then sprinkled seven times on the altar; that of the passover on the doorposts and lintels of the houses (Ex. 12; Lev. 4:5-7; 16:14-19). At the giving of the law (Ex. 24:8) the blood of the sacrifices was sprinkled on the people as well as on the altar, and thus the people were consecrated to God, or entered into covenant with him, hence the blood of the covenant (Matt. 26:28; Heb. 9:19, 20; 10:29; 13:20). (3.) Human blood. The murderer was to be punished (Gen. 9:5). The blood of the murdered "crieth for vengeance" (Gen. 4:10). The "avenger of blood" was the nearest relative of the murdered, and he was required to avenge his death (Num. 35:24, 27). No satisfaction could be made for the guilt of murder (Num. 35:31). (4.) Blood used metaphorically to denote race (Acts 17:26), and as a symbol of slaughter (Isa. 34:3). To "wash the feet in blood" means to gain a great victory (Ps. 58:10). Wine, from its red colour, is called "the blood of the grape" (Gen. 49:11). Blood and water issued from our Saviour's side when it was pierced by the Roman soldier (John 19:34). This has led pathologists to the conclusion that the proper cause of Christ's death was rupture of the heart. (Comp. Ps. 69:20.) To blood is ascribed in Scripture the mysterious sacredness which belongs to life, and God reserved it to himself when allowing man the dominion over and the use of the lower animals for food. Thus reserved, it acquires a double power: (1) that of sacrificial atonement; and (2) that of becoming a curse when wantonly shed, unless duly expiated. (Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 7:26; 17:11-13) The life of animals -- Ge 9:4; Le 17:11,14. Fluid -- De 12:16. Red -- 2Ki 3:22; Joe 2:31. Of all men the same -- Ac 17:26. Eating of, forbidden to Man after the flood. -- Ge 9:4. The Israelites under the law. -- Le 3:17; 17:10,12. The early Christians. -- Ac 15:20,29. The Jews often guilty of eating -- 1Sa 14:32,33; Eze 33:25. Of animals slain for good to be poured on the earth and covered -- Le 17:13; De 12:16,24. Birds of prey delight in -- Job 39:30. Beasts of prey delight in -- Nu 23:24; Ps 68:23. Shedding of human Forbidden. -- Ge 9:5. Hateful to God. -- Pr 6:16,17. Defiling to the land. -- Ps 106:38. Defiling to the person. -- Isa 59:3. Jews often guilty of. -- Jer 22:17; Eze 22:4. Always punished. -- Ge 9:6. Mode of clearing those accused of. -- De 21:1-9. The price of, not to be consecrated -- Mt 27:6. Of legal sacrifices For atonement. -- Ex 30:10; Le 17:11. For purification. -- Heb 9:13,19-22. How disposed of. -- Ex 29:12; Le 4:7. Not offered with leaven. -- Ex 23:18; 34:25. Ineffectual to remove sin. -- Heb 10:4. Idolaters made drink-offerings of -- Ps 16:4. Water turned into, as a sign -- Ex 4:30. Waters of Egypt turned into, as a judgment -- Ex 7:17-21. Illustrative (Washing the feet in,) of victories. -- Ps 58:10; 68:23. (Building with,) of oppression and cruelty. -- Hab 2:12. (Preparing to,) of ripening for destruction. -- Eze 35:6. (On one's own head,) of guilt. -- Le 20:9; 2Sa 1:16; Eze 18:13. (Given to drink,) of severe judgments. -- Eze 16:38; Re 16:6.
Blood