Leviticus 19:26 Meaning and Explanation
“Ye shall not eat any thing with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Do not eat blood or engage in divination or fortune-telling.
The Context of Leviticus 19:26
Ritual and spiritual purity; prohibits blood-eating and divination.
What Does Leviticus 19:26 Mean?
Eating blood was forbidden because blood represents life, belonging to God alone. Similarly, enchantment and observing times—reading signs, casting spells, divining the future—represent attempts to manipulate spiritual forces outside God's authority. Both violate the boundary between human and divine.
These prohibitions protect Israel's dependence on God alone. Instead of seeking knowledge through divination or power through magic, the people are to trust God, listen to His prophets, and obey His law. Forbidden practices undermine faith in God's sovereignty.
Leviticus 19:26 in the Original Language
nachash (נַחַשׁ), 'enchantment' — to divine, practice sorcery; literally 'to hiss' or 'whisper' (the sound of incantations).
Frequently Asked Questions About Leviticus 19:26
What does Leviticus 19:26 mean?
Do not eat blood or engage in divination or fortune-telling.
What is the context of Leviticus 19:26?
Ritual and spiritual purity; prohibits blood-eating and divination.