This research paper, written by Jonathan Allen at Reformed Theological Seminary – Charlotte for Dr. Richard Belcher Jr., examines the recurring Old Testament command to abstain from eating blood and its enduring theological significance.
Allen identifies three primary purposes for the prohibition: the sanctity of life, Israel’s distinction from pagan nations, and the sacred role of blood in atonement. Drawing from Genesis 9, Leviticus 17, and Deuteronomy 12, the study demonstrates that the command was rooted not in ritual taboo but in reverence for life and divine holiness. The paper also traces how the prohibition anticipated Christ’s atoning sacrifice, where the shedding of blood achieved once-for-all redemption and fulfilled the law’s ultimate purpose.
Course and semester: OT5200 Genesis–Deuteronomy — Fall 2024