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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Deuteronomy 12:16 but you must not eat the blood; pour it on the ground like water.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/deuteronomy/12-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/05_Deu_12_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Deuteronomy 12:16 - One Place for Worship" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="but you must not eat the blood; pour it on the ground like water." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/deuteronomy/12-16.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/deuteronomy/12-16.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/deuteronomy/">Deuteronomy</a> > <a href="/deuteronomy/12.htm">Chapter 12</a> > Verse 16</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad16.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-15.htm" title="Deuteronomy 12:15">◄</a> Deuteronomy 12:16 <a href="/deuteronomy/12-17.htm" title="Deuteronomy 12:17">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/12.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/12.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />But you must not eat the blood; pour it out on the ground like water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But you must not consume the blood. You must pour it out on the ground like water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Only you shall not eat the blood; you shall pour it out on the earth like water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />but you must not eat the blood; pour it on the ground like water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Only ye shall not eat the blood; ye shall pour it upon the earth as water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/deuteronomy/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Only you shall not eat the blood; you shall pour it on the earth like water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/deuteronomy/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Only you shall not eat the blood; you are to pour it out on the ground like water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Only you shall not eat the blood; you are to pour it out on the ground like water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/deuteronomy/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Only you shall not eat the blood; you are to pour it out on the ground like water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/deuteronomy/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Only you shall not eat the blood; you are to pour it out on the ground like water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/deuteronomy/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Only you shall not eat the blood; you are to pour it out on the ground like water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/deuteronomy/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />but you must not eat the blood; pour it on the ground like water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/deuteronomy/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />but you must not eat the blood; pour it on the ground like water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/deuteronomy/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Only ye shall not eat the blood; thou shalt pour it out upon the earth as water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/deuteronomy/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Only ye shall not eat the blood; thou shalt pour it out upon the earth as water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/deuteronomy/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But never eat the blood. Pour it on the ground like water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/deuteronomy/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But you must not eat their blood; you must pour it out on the ground like water. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/deuteronomy/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Only, you must not consume the blood; instead, pour it out on the ground as you would water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/deuteronomy/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />However, you must not eat blood--pour it out on the ground like water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/deuteronomy/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Only you shall not eat the blood; you shall pour it out on the earth as water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/deuteronomy/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Only ye shall not eat the blood; ye shall pour it upon the earth as water.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/deuteronomy/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />but you must not eat the blood; pour it on the ground like water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/deuteronomy/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Only you shall not eat the blood. You shall pour it out on the earth like water. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/deuteronomy/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Only, you do not eat the blood—you pour it on the earth as water;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/deuteronomy/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'Only, the blood ye do not eat -- on the earth thou dost pour it as water;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/deuteronomy/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Only the blood thou shalt not eat: upon the earth ye shall pour it as water.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/deuteronomy/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Only the blood thou shalt not eat, but thou shalt pour it out upon the earth as water. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/deuteronomy/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Only the blood you shall not eat. Instead, you shall pour it upon the ground like water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/deuteronomy/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Only, you shall not eat of the blood, but must pour it out on the ground like water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/deuteronomy/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The blood, however, you must not eat; you shall pour it out on the ground like water.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/deuteronomy/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Only you shall not eat the blood; you shall pour it out upon the earth like water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/deuteronomy/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Only the blood you will not eat, but pour it on the ground like water.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/deuteronomy/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Only ye shall not eat the blood; thou shalt pour it out upon the earth as water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/deuteronomy/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Only ye shall not eat the blood; ye shall pour it out on the ground as water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/deuteronomy/12-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IRhBtZaVxJ0?start=3703" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/12.htm">One Place for Worship</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>But whenever you want, you may slaughter and eat meat within any of your gates, according to the blessing the LORD your God has given you. Both the ceremonially clean and unclean may eat it as they would a gazelle or deer, <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7535.htm" title="7535: raq (Adv) -- The same as raq as a noun; properly, leanness, i.e. limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although.">but</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">you must not</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: ṯō·ḵê·lū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">eat</a> <a href="/hebrew/1818.htm" title="1818: had·dām (Art:: N-ms) -- Blood. From damam; blood of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively bloodshed.">the blood;</a> <a href="/hebrew/8210.htm" title="8210: tiš·pə·ḵen·nū (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms:: 3mse) -- To pour out, pour. A primitive root; to spill forth; also to expend; intensively, to sprawl out.">pour</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">it on</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">the ground</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: kam·mā·yim (Prep-k, Art:: N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">like water.</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>Within your gates you must not eat the tithe of your grain or new wine or oil, the firstborn of your herds or flocks, any of the offerings that you have vowed to give, or your freewill offerings or special gifts.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/17-10.htm">Leviticus 17:10-14</a></span><br />If anyone from the house of Israel or a foreigner living among them eats any blood, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from among his people. / For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for your souls upon the altar; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul. / Therefore I say to the Israelites, ‘None of you may eat blood, nor may any foreigner living among you eat blood.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/9-4.htm">Genesis 9:4</a></span><br />But you must not eat meat with its lifeblood still in it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/15-20.htm">Acts 15:20</a></span><br />Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/15-29.htm">Acts 15:29</a></span><br />You must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/3-17.htm">Leviticus 3:17</a></span><br />This is a permanent statute for the generations to come, wherever you live: You must not eat any fat or any blood.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/7-26.htm">Leviticus 7:26-27</a></span><br />You must not eat the blood of any bird or animal in any of your dwellings. / If anyone eats blood, that person must be cut off from his people.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/14-32.htm">1 Samuel 14:32-34</a></span><br />So they rushed greedily to the plunder, taking sheep, cattle, and calves. They slaughtered them on the ground and ate meat with the blood still in it. / Then someone reported to Saul: “Look, the troops are sinning against the LORD by eating meat with the blood still in it.” “You have broken faith,” said Saul. “Roll a large stone over here at once.” / Then he said, “Go among the troops and tell them, ‘Each man must bring me his ox or his sheep, slaughter them in this place, and then eat. Do not sin against the LORD by eating meat with the blood still in it.’” So that night everyone brought his ox and slaughtered it there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/33-25.htm">Ezekiel 33:25</a></span><br />Therefore tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘You eat meat with the blood in it, lift up your eyes to your idols, and shed blood. Should you then possess the land?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/21-25.htm">Acts 21:25</a></span><br />As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they must abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-20.htm">1 Corinthians 10:20-21</a></span><br />No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. / You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/9-22.htm">Hebrews 9:22</a></span><br />According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/19-26.htm">Leviticus 19:26</a></span><br />You must not eat anything with blood still in it. You must not practice divination or sorcery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/8-1.htm">1 Corinthians 8:1-13</a></span><br />Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. / The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. / But the one who loves God is known by God. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/14-14.htm">Romans 14:14-21</a></span><br />I am convinced and fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. / If your brother is distressed by what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother, for whom Christ died. / Do not allow what you consider good, then, to be spoken of as evil. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/4-4.htm">1 Timothy 4:4-5</a></span><br />For every creation of God is good, and nothing that is received with thanksgiving should be rejected, / because it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Only you shall not eat the blood; you shall pour it on the earth as water.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/12-23.htm">Deuteronomy 12:23,24</a></b></br> Only be sure that thou eat not the blood: for the blood <i>is</i> the life; and thou mayest not eat the life with the flesh… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/15-23.htm">Deuteronomy 15:23</a></b></br> Only thou shalt not eat the blood thereof; thou shalt pour it upon the ground as water.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/9-4.htm">Genesis 9:4</a></b></br> But flesh with the life thereof, <i>which is</i> the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/35-33.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/leviticus/5-9.htm">Drained</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-1.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-15.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/numbers/28-7.htm">Pour</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-11.htm">Water</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/12-23.htm">Blood</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-24.htm">Drained</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-19.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-17.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-24.htm">Pour</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-24.htm">Water</a><div class="vheading2">Deuteronomy 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-1.htm">Monuments of idolatry to be destroyed</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-4.htm">The place of God's service to be kept</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-15.htm">Blood is forbidden</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-17.htm">Holy things must be eaten in the holy place</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-19.htm">The Levite is not to be forsaken</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-20.htm">Blood is again forbidden</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-26.htm">and holy things must be eaten in the holy place</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-29.htm">Idolatry is not to be enquired after</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/deuteronomy/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>but you must not eat the blood;</b><br>This command is part of the broader dietary laws given to the Israelites, emphasizing the sanctity of life. Blood is considered the life force of a creature (<a href="/leviticus/17-11.htm">Leviticus 17:11</a>), and consuming it was strictly prohibited. This prohibition is rooted in the belief that life belongs to God, and thus, the blood, representing life, should not be consumed by humans. The command reflects a respect for life and a recognition of God's sovereignty over it. This principle is reiterated in the New Testament, where the early church, in <a href="/acts/15-20.htm">Acts 15:20</a>, also advises Gentile believers to abstain from blood, showing its continued importance.<p><b>pour it on the ground like water.</b><br>The instruction to pour the blood on the ground signifies a return of life to God, from whom it originates. This act can be seen as a form of offering, acknowledging God's ownership of life. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, blood was often used in rituals and sacrifices, but the Israelites were set apart by this unique practice of pouring it out, symbolizing purification and respect. This practice also foreshadows the sacrificial system, where the shedding of blood was necessary for atonement, ultimately pointing to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blood was poured out for the forgiveness of sins (<a href="/hebrews/9-22.htm">Hebrews 9:22</a>). The imagery of water suggests cleansing and renewal, themes that are central to the message of redemption throughout the Bible.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws to the Israelites.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, receiving instructions on how to live in the Promised Land.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/p/promised_land.htm">Promised Land</a></b><br>The land of Canaan, where the Israelites are to settle and follow God's commandments.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/s/sacrificial_system.htm">Sacrificial System</a></b><br>The context of the laws given, including dietary restrictions and sacrificial practices.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/b/blood.htm">Blood</a></b><br>Considered sacred and representative of life, hence the prohibition against consuming it.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/sacredness_of_life.htm">Sacredness of Life</a></b><br>Blood symbolizes life, which is sacred and belongs to God. Respecting this command acknowledges God's sovereignty over life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_commands.htm">Obedience to God's Commands</a></b><br>Following dietary laws was a test of obedience for the Israelites, teaching us the importance of adhering to God's instructions in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/holiness_and_distinction.htm">Holiness and Distinction</a></b><br>The prohibition against consuming blood set the Israelites apart from surrounding nations, reminding us of our call to be distinct in our conduct.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/respect_for_god's_creation.htm">Respect for God's Creation</a></b><br>Pouring blood on the ground signifies respect for God's creation and the life He gives, encouraging us to honor God in how we treat His creation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/continuity_of_god's_moral_law.htm">Continuity of God's Moral Law</a></b><br>The New Testament reaffirmation of this command shows the continuity of God's moral law, urging us to seek consistency in our faith practice.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_deuteronomy_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_blood_in_meat.htm">What does the Bible say about eating meat with blood?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_the_bible_mention_vampires.htm">Does the Bible mention vampires?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_deut._12_15-16's_blood_ban_fit_then.htm">In Deuteronomy 12:15–16, how does the prohibition of consuming blood align with common butchering methods and dietary practices of that era? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_humble_yourself_before_god.htm">What is the summary of the Exodus from Egypt?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/deuteronomy/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">Ye shall pour it upon the earth.</span>--This act was a necessary part of every slaughter of an animal for food. The blood, which is the life, must be poured upon the earth for God, whether the victim was consigned to the altar or not. It was a continual reminder of the necessity for the sacrifice of the death of Christ, to be continued until He should come. Thus the act was, in a sense, sacramental.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/deuteronomy/12-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">but</span><br /><span class="heb">רַ֥ק</span> <span class="translit">(raq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7535.htm">Strong's 7535: </a> </span><span class="str2">But, even, except, howbeit howsoever, at the least, nevertheless</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you must not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">eat</span><br /><span class="heb">תֹאכֵ֑לוּ</span> <span class="translit">(ṯō·ḵê·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To eat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the blood;</span><br /><span class="heb">הַדָּ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(had·dām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1818.htm">Strong's 1818: </a> </span><span class="str2">Blood, of man, an animal, the juice of the grape, bloodshed</span><br /><br /><span class="word">pour</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּשְׁפְּכֶ֖נּוּ</span> <span class="translit">(tiš·pə·ḵen·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8210.htm">Strong's 8210: </a> </span><span class="str2">To spill forth, to expend, to sprawl out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it on</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the ground</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאָ֥רֶץ</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’ā·reṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like water.</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּמָּֽיִם׃</span> <span class="translit">(kam·mā·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/12-16.htm">Deuteronomy 12:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/12-16.htm">Deuteronomy 12:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/12-16.htm">Deuteronomy 12:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/12-16.htm">Deuteronomy 12:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/12-16.htm">Deuteronomy 12:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/deuteronomy/12-16.htm">Deuteronomy 12:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/deuteronomy/12-16.htm">Deuteronomy 12:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/deuteronomy/12-16.htm">Deuteronomy 12:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/deuteronomy/12-16.htm">Deuteronomy 12:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/deuteronomy/12-16.htm">Deuteronomy 12:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/deuteronomy/12-16.htm">OT Law: Deuteronomy 12:16 Only you shall not eat the blood (Deut. 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