Deuteronomy 12:23

23 But be sure you do not eat the blood, because the blood is the life, and you must not eat the life with the meat.

Deuteronomy 12:23 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
23 Only be sure that thou eat not the blood: for the blood is the life; and thou mayest not eat the life with the flesh.
English Standard Version (ESV)
23 Only be sure that you do not eat the blood, for the blood is the life, and you shall not eat the life with the flesh.
New Living Translation (NLT)
23 But never consume the blood, for the blood is the life, and you must not consume the lifeblood with the meat.
The Message Bible (MSG)
23 Only this: Absolutely no blood. Don't eat the blood. Blood is life; don't eat the life with the meat.
American Standard Version (ASV)
23 Only be sure that thou eat not the blood: for the blood is the life; and thou shalt not eat the life with the flesh.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
23 However, be sure you never eat blood, because blood contains life. Never eat the life with the meat.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
23 But don't eat the blood, since the blood is the life, and you must not eat the life with the meat.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
23 But be sure you don't eat meat that still has blood in it. The blood is the animal's life. So you must not eat the life along with the meat.

Deuteronomy 12:23 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 12:23

Only be sure that thou eat not the blood
This is repeated again, that they might be careful to observe the law concerning that:

for the blood is the life:
which is the reason given for the prohibition of it, (See Gill on Leviticus 17:11),

and thou mayest not eat the life with the flesh:
by which it seems that the meaning of the law was, that the blood might not be eaten in or with the flesh, but to be let out of it, or the fish not to be eaten raw, but dressed; for there were various laws about eating of blood, which are differently expressed.

Deuteronomy 12:23 In-Context

21 If the place where the LORD your God chooses to put his Name is too far away from you, you may slaughter animals from the herds and flocks the LORD has given you, as I have commanded you, and in your own towns you may eat as much of them as you want.
22 Eat them as you would gazelle or deer. Both the ceremonially unclean and the clean may eat.
23 But be sure you do not eat the blood, because the blood is the life, and you must not eat the life with the meat.
24 You must not eat the blood; pour it out on the ground like water.
25 Do not eat it, so that it may go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is right in the eyes of the LORD.

Cross References 2

  • 1. ver 16; Genesis 9:4; S Leviticus 7:26; Leviticus 17:11,14
  • 2. Ezekiel 33:25
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