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Deuteronomy 15:23

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 15:23 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Only thou shalt not eat the blood thereof; thou shalt pour it out upon the ground as water.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Only thou shalt not eat the blood thereof; thou shalt pour it out upon the ground as water.
Deuteronomy 15:23 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 15

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
20Thou shalt eat it before Jehovah thy God year by year in the place which Jehovah shall choose, thou and thy household.
21And if it have any blemish, [as if it be] lame or blind, any ill blemish whatsoever, thou shalt not sacrifice it unto Jehovah thy God.
22Thou shalt eat it within thy gates: the unclean and the clean [shall eat it] alike, as the gazelle, and as the hart.
23Only thou shalt not eat the blood thereof; thou shalt pour it out upon the ground as water.
← Deuteronomy 15:22Deuteronomy 16:1 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Only thou shalt not eat the blood thereof, etc.] Of the firstling: thou shalt pour it upon the ground as water; (See Gill on “<051216>Deuteronomy 12:16, 23, 24”).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Compare Exodus 13:11 ff. The directions of the preceding legislation (see Numbers 18:15 ff) are here assumed, with the injunction added, that the animals thus set apart to God Deuteronomy 15:19 were not to be used by their owners for their earthly purposes. It is further allowed that firstborn animals which had a blemish should be regarded as exceptions, and instead of being given to God might be used as food Deuteronomy 15:21-22. The application of the firstborn of cattle is here directed as in Deuteronomy 12:6, Deuteronomy 12:17; Deuteronomy 14:23 : they are to be consumed in the sacred Feasts at the sanctuary. return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“15:23 The blood of an animal was seen as synonymous with its life, the most sacred of God’s creations, so it was sacrilegious to consume it (see 12:16).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Deu 12:16, Deu 12:23; Lev 7:26; Sa1 14:32; Eze 33:25 Next: Deuteronomy Chapter 16”
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Related study paths

Read Deuteronomy 15 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification