Leviticus 17:4 Meaning and Explanation
“And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer an offering unto the LORD before the tabernacle of the LORD; blood shall be imputed unto that man; he hath shed blood; and that man shall be cut off from among his people:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Failure to bring livestock to the tabernacle results in being cut off from the community.
The Context of Leviticus 17:4
Breaking this law invokes the harshest community penalty.
What Does Leviticus 17:4 Mean?
If an Israelite kills an animal without bringing it to the tabernacle door for offering, the bloodshed is reckoned as violation. This severe penalty—being cut off from the people—underscores the seriousness of circumventing the Lord's ordained system.
The language treats unauthorized killing as a form of illicit bloodshed. The connection between the animal's blood and the offender's spiritual status shows blood sacrifice is not optional but central to the covenant.
Leviticus 17:4 in the Original Language
dkh (דָּמִים), 'blood' — represents covenant relationship and atonement; shedding it improperly severs one from the people.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leviticus 17:4
What does Leviticus 17:4 mean?
Failure to bring livestock to the tabernacle results in being cut off from the community.
What is the context of Leviticus 17:4?
Breaking this law invokes the harshest community penalty.