Leviticus 17:15
And every person who eats what dies of itself or what is torn by beasts, whether he is a native or a sojourner, shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening; then he shall be clean.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Even though the punishment is relatively mild, the verse includes both natives and foreigners in its command. This highlights that the principle behind the law—respecting the sanctity of life and avoiding contact with death's lingering uncleanness—was meant to extend beyond just Israelites to anyone living among them.
This verse is a specific instruction following the broader laws about not eating blood and the proper way to slaughter animals. It addresses the accidental consumption of meat from animals that died naturally or were killed by predators, emphasizing that even these carcasses, which would still contain blood, were forbidden for Israelites. The rule applies to both native-born Israelites and resident foreigners who have adopted their laws, dictating a purification process if such meat was eaten, highlighting the pervasive concern with maintaining ceremonial cleanness.
Why was eating an animal that died naturally or was mauled by a predator so serious? It all comes down to blood.
This law, and others like it in Leviticus, are deeply connected to the sacredness of blood. When an animal died of itself or was torn by a beast, its blood wasn't properly drained. The text highlights that this retained blood was considered unclean, and therefore, consuming it would make a person unclean.
This isn't just about hygiene; it's a theological statement. God had set apart the blood of animals for atonement on the altar (Leviticus 17:11). Eating the flesh with blood still in it was like bypassing God's intended use for that blood and treating it as ordinary. This is why even unintentional consumption required purification.
What happens when you accidentally break a divine command? This verse offers a clear pathway back to fellowship.
The punishment here – washing clothes, bathing, and remaining unclean until evening – is relatively light compared to intentional sin. This tells us it was likely for those who ate such meat through ignorance or by mistake.
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Even though the act was unintentional, it still rendered the person ritually unclean. This uncleanness wasn't about moral corruption but about separation from the holy community and God's presence. The prescribed cleansing ritual (washing and bathing) was a tangible way to signify a return to a state of purity, allowing them to participate in community life again after sundown.
Did these laws apply to everyone living in Israel, or just native-born Israelites? The text is quite clear.
This verse explicitly states that the law applies to 'every person... whether he is a native or a sojourner.' This broad application includes both native-born Israelites and foreigners living among them, particularly those who had converted to the Jewish faith (proselytes).
While 'strangers' who were not proselytes might have been permitted to eat such meat according to other passages (like Deuteronomy 14:21), the command here emphasizes that anyone who did eat it, regardless of their background, needed to undergo the prescribed cleansing. This underscores the inclusive nature of God's laws within the community of Israel, calling all residents to a standard of ritual purity.
Understand the original words
tame · Hebrew Adjective
A state of ceremonial or moral defilement that prevents an individual from entering the presence of God or participating in the community's worship. Cleansing is required to restore one to a state of ritual purity (holiness).
This passage lays the groundwork for the prohibition by stating that Israelites should not eat any animal torn by wild beasts, implying the same principle of not eating what is inherently impure or retaining blood.
Deuteronomy 14:21This verse provides a direct contrast, allowing non-Israelites (strangers) to eat animals that died of themselves, highlighting the specific covenantal obligations placed upon the Israelites.
Acts 15:20This apostolic council decision echoes the Levitical prohibition by forbidding both blood and things strangled (which often retain blood) to Gentile believers, showing the enduring importance of this principle in the early church.
Ezekiel 44:31This prophetic passage reaffirms the principle that priests were not to eat any bird or beast that died of itself or was torn by wild animals, extending the dietary restriction to leadership within the community.
bensonLeviticus 17:15: "And every soul that eateth that which died of itself, or that which was torn with beasts, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger, he shall both wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even: then shall he be clean."
Leviticus 17:15 . That eateth — Through ignorance or inadvertency; for if it was done knowingly, it was more severely punished. A stranger — Who is a proselyte to the Jewish religion: other strangers were allowed to eat s…
pooleLeviticus 17:15: "And every soul that eateth that which died of itself, or that which was torn with beasts, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger, he shall both wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even: then shall he be clean."
Every soul that eateth, to wit, through ignorance or inadvertency, as appears by the slightness of the punishment; for if it was done knowingly, it was a presumptuous sin against an express law here, and Deu 14:21 , and t…
Even though the punishment is relatively mild, the verse includes both natives and foreigners in its command. This highlights that the principle behind the law—respecting the sanctity of life and avoiding contact with death's lingering uncleanness—was meant to extend beyond just Israelites to anyone living among them.
This verse is a specific instruction following the broader laws about not eating blood and the proper way to slaughter animals. It addresses the accidental consumption of meat from animals that died naturally or were killed by predators, emphasizing that even these carcasses, which would still contain blood, were forbidden for Israelites. The rule applies to both native-born Israelites and resident foreigners who have adopted their laws, dictating a purification process if such meat was eaten, highlighting the pervasive concern with maintaining ceremonial cleanness.
This verse is a specific instruction following the broader laws about not eating blood and the proper way to slaughter animals. It addresses the accidental consumption of meat from animals that died naturally or were killed by predators, emphasizing that even these carcasses, which would still contain blood, were forbidden for Israelites. The rule applies to both native-born Israelites and resident foreigners who have adopted their laws, dictating a purification process if such meat was eaten, highlighting the pervasive concern with maintaining ceremonial cleanness.
"And every person who eats what dies of itself or what is torn by beasts, whether he is a native or a sojourner, shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening; then he shall be clean." — Even though the punishment is relatively mild, the verse includes both natives and foreigners in its command. This highlights that the principle behind the law—respecting the sanctity of life and a…
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