The Bible has a lot to say about the consumption of blood, especially in the Old Testament. There are several key passages that directly address the topic:
Genesis 9:4
After the Flood, God allows Noah and his family to eat meat, but prohibits them from eating blood: “But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.” This verse establishes the initial biblical prohibition against consuming blood.
Leviticus 17:10-14
This passage in the Mosaic Law states that blood contains life and prohibits Israelites and foreign residents from eating blood. It says that those who eat blood must be cut off from the community. It also specifies that blood from hunted animals must be poured out and covered.
Leviticus 3:17
“It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, in all your dwelling places, that you eat neither fat nor blood.” This verse reiterates that the prohibition against eating blood applies to all generations.
Leviticus 7:26-27
This passage prohibits eating blood from sacrifices, saying: “Moreover, you shall eat no blood whatever, whether of fowl or of animal, in any of your dwelling places. Whoever eats any blood, that person shall be cut off from his people.”
Leviticus 19:26
“You shall not eat any flesh with the blood in it. You shall not interpret omens or tell fortunes.” This repeats the prohibition against consuming blood and links it to pagan practices.
Deuteronomy 12:16, 23-25
This Deuteronomic law code instructs the Israelites to refrain from eating blood when slaughtering animals for food: “Only you shall not eat the blood; you shall pour it out on the earth like water.” It also prohibits eating blood “because the blood is the life.”
1 Samuel 14:32-35
This passage describes Saul’s army eating meat with blood still in it. Saul builds an altar so the soldiers can properly drain the blood from the animals before eating the meat.
Acts 15:19-21, 28-29
The apostles and elders in Jerusalem write a letter asking Gentile believers to “abstain from things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.” This applies the Old Testament prohibition to Gentile Christians.
So in summary, the Bible consistently prohibits consuming blood in both the Old and New Testaments. Reasons include:
- Blood contains life (Leviticus 17:11)
- Blood is sacred and represents life set apart for sacrifices (Leviticus 17:11)
- Eating blood is linked to pagan practices (Leviticus 19:26)
- Pouring out blood shows respect for life (Deuteronomy 12:23-25)
- The apostles wanted to avoid offending Jewish Christians (Acts 15:19-21)
The prohibition applies to both Israelites and foreign residents, carries generational permanence, and requires cutting off from the community as punishment. It covers blood from both sacrificial animals and wild game. Pouring out blood and draining it from meat before eating is consistently commanded. Even Gentile believers are asked to abstain from consuming blood.
There are no examples of this prohibition being annulled or changed in the New Testament. While Christians are no longer under the Mosaic Law, the biblical principle of avoiding blood consumption remains, especially to avoid offending other believers.
In terms of application, most Christians today avoid consuming blood by not eating rare or uncooked meat. Hunted animals have blood properly drained. Christian dietary laws generally maintain the biblical precedent against eating blood.
Old Testament Background
The prohibition against consuming blood has its background in Genesis 9, where God first allows humans to eat meat after the Flood. However, they are commanded not to eat the blood, which represents the life of the animal (Genesis 9:4). This establishes God’s decree to abstain from blood.
In the Levitical law, the reason for abstaining from blood is further explained: “For the life of every creature is its blood: its blood is its life” (Leviticus 17:14). Blood was seen as the sacred source of life. Consuming it was tantamount to murder and devaluing life given by God.
In addition, pagan religions surrounding Israel practiced ritual drinking of blood. God wanted to separate His people from these detestable practices (Leviticus 17:7, 19:26). His commands served to consecrate animal life to Himself.
By pouring out blood instead of consuming it (Deuteronomy 12:16, 24), the Israelites showed reverence for life. Blood also had a consecrated purpose in the sacrificial system. It was used to make atonement for sin as a sacred fluid (Leviticus 17:11). So God prohibited profane use of blood.
New Testament Analysis
Some have argued that the prohibition against eating blood was an Old Testament law not intended for Christians. However, the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 upholds the biblical precedent against blood consumption.
The Council instructs Gentile believers to abstain from blood out of consideration for Jewish Christians. It bases this on the Levitical mandate which applied both to Israelites and foreign residents (Leviticus 17:10). By asking Gentiles to continue avoiding blood, they affirm it as a timeless biblical principle.
In addition, verses like Genesis 9:4 and Leviticus 17:14 establish God’s eternal decree against consuming blood. As a source of life, blood is sacred and not to be profaned through eating it. These principles remain relevant to followers of Christ.
While Christians are no longer under Old Testament ceremonial law, moral principles like abstaining from blood reflect God’s eternal standards. As Acts 10:15 says, what God has made clean we must not call profane. So the Council asks Gentiles to observe established biblical teaching on blood.
Finally, abstaining from blood avoids offending the conscience of other believers (1 Corinthians 8:13). It provides a unifying principle among Jewish and Gentile Christians. For these reasons, the Apostles maintain the biblical precedent of abstaining from blood consumption.
Blood in Meat
How does the biblical prohibition apply to eating meat from butcher shops and restaurants today? Traces of blood may remain in these meats.
Some scholars argue that removing all blood is not feasible. Hence, the biblical principle only prohibits drinking blood or eating meat with excessive blood. Others say it requires draining as much blood as possible.
In any case, Christians should avoid eating bloody, rare, or raw meat. Meat that has been salted and thoroughly cooked contains minimal remnants of blood. This aligns with biblical precedent while recognizing practicality.
Meat purchased from qualified butchers can be assumed to have been properly drained in accordance with health codes. Still, each believer must act according to their conscience on this issue (Romans 14:5).
Medical Uses of Blood
What about medically receiving blood through transfusions? This does not violate biblical teachings against consuming blood.
Transfusions use blood as a life-saving medical therapy, not for profane consumption. The Levitical law recognizes therapeutic uses of blood in certain skin ointments (Leviticus 14:14-17). So medical uses are permitted rather than prohibited.
In addition, blood transfusions did not exist in biblical contexts. No biblical passages directly address the modern practice. So while the Bible prohibits eating blood, it does not prohibit medical blood therapies.
Still, Christians have debated the ethics of transfusions. Groups like Jehovah’s Witnesses forbid transfusions while others permit them. Christians must search the Scriptures and follow their conscience.
Wine as Blood of Christ
What about communion wine? When Jesus instituted communion, he said the wine was his blood poured out for many (Matthew 26:28). Does drinking communion wine violate the prohibition?
No, because the wine is symbolic, not actual blood. Jesus was not saying the wine literally turned into blood. Figurative language was commonly used during Passover meals to interpret elements of the celebration.
Just as the broken bread represents but does not literally become Jesus’ body, the wine represents but does not literally become his blood. It serves as a sacred symbol, not for profane consumption.
Partaking in communion commemorates Christ’s sacrificial death, pointing to the ultimate atonement for sin. It is a holy memorial using symbols, not an act of blood consumption. Hence, it aligns with biblical teachings.
Bloodguilt
Another relevant biblical theme is bloodguilt. This refers to responsibility for shed blood.
Murder warranted the death penalty as punishment: “Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed, for God made man in his own image” (Genesis 9:6).
Cities could also be held accountable for unsolved murders (Deuteronomy 21:1-9). And leaders were responsible for “bloodguilt” incurred through murderous policies (2 Samuel 21:1).
Even accidental killings still generated bloodguilt that required atonement (Numbers 35:9-34). Defilement came from exposing blood through violence instead of properly pouring it out.
These practices showed the sacredness of life in God’s eyes. Those who devalued it faced consequences. Bloodguilt served to uphold justice.
Atonement was made through sacrifice and blood. Jesus’ crucifixion provides the ultimate atonement for all humanity’s bloodguilt before God (Romans 3:25).
Animal Cruelty
The bible prohibits cruelty against animals. This includes proper treatment of blood.
“For the life of every creature is its blood: its blood is its life” (Leviticus 17:14). Mistreating animals devalues the life given them by God.
Proper techniques should be used for animal slaughter and sacrifice to minimize suffering:
“If you come across a bird’s nest beside the road, either in a tree or on the ground, and the mother is sitting on the young or on the eggs, do not take the mother with the young. You may take the young, but be sure to let the mother go, so that it may go well with you and you may have a long life.” (Deuteronomy 22:6-7)
Animal abuse for entertainment or profit is wrong. Christians should be stewards treating animals humanely for food and other uses – including properly handling blood.
Conclusion
In summary, the Bible clearly prohibits consuming blood through all generations, for reasons tied to its sacred nature and connection to life. Pork, rare meat, blood sausage and other blood foods are to be avoided.
Proper pouring out and draining of blood shows respect for life. Though no longer under the Old Testament law, Christians affirm these principles by avoiding offense and following biblical precedents.
Medical uses of blood through transfusions do not equate to consumption, so are permitted. Partaking of symbolic communion wine is not prohibited. And proper handling of blood expresses stewardship values.
Jesus’ blood fulfills atonement for “bloodguilt.” Overall, the biblical theme of sacred blood and life remains relevant for modern Christians through teachings on abstaining from blood consumption.
