Lev 17:3-4 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Lev 17:3-9: 17:3-9 These regulations (see also Deut 12:15-21 ) indicate that unsupervised sacrifice could easily lead to the integration of pagan elements into the true worship of the Lord (Lev 17:7 ). Israel was camped around the Tabernacle (Num 2:2-34 ), so it was not inconvenient to bring an animal to the sanctuary for slaughter. Deuteronomy 12:20-24 anticipates Israel’s settlement in the land and the hardship imposed by this regulation. It permitted slaughtering and eating meat without bringing it to the sanctuary, as long as the blood was not consumed.

a17:3-9►

bDeut 12:15-21►

cLev 17:7►

dNum 2:2-34►

eDeuteronomy 12:20-24►

‏ Leviticus 17:3-4

Summary for Lev 17:3-9: 17:3-9 ^a These regulations (see also Deut 12:15-21 ^b) indicate that unsupervised sacrifice could easily lead to the integration of pagan elements into the true worship of the Lord (Lev 17:7 ^c). Israel was camped around the Tabernacle (Num 2:2-34 ^d), so it was not inconvenient to bring an animal to the sanctuary for slaughter. Deuteronomy 12:20-24 ^e anticipates Israel’s settlement in the land and the hardship imposed by this regulation. It permitted slaughtering and eating meat without bringing it to the sanctuary, as long as the blood was not consumed.
17:4 ^f will be as guilty as a murderer: The person had shed an animal’s blood in an unlawful manner. The life of the animal had been given by God; it had to be returned to him in the blood of the sacrificed animal.

• cut off: See study note on 7:20-21.