Leviticus 17 — “Life Is in the Blood: The Altar, the Covenant, and the Price of Communion”
Leviticus 16 revealed how sin is atoned for once each year.
Leviticus 17 now teaches how daily life must be lived in the light of that atonement.
This chapter teaches one central truth:
Life belongs to God, blood belongs to the altar, and communion with God is possible only through sacrifice — a mystery fulfilled in Christ, whose blood becomes the covenant of eternal life.
1. One Place of Sacrifice
“Any man… who kills an ox or lamb or goat… and does not bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting…” (Lev 17:3–4)
Private sacrifice is forbidden.
Blood must be brought to God’s altar.
St Augustine writes:
“God binds worship to His altar so that man may not invent his own religion.”
(Sermons)
Typology:
There is one Cross,
not many altars of salvation.
Christ is not one way among many;
He is the one sacrifice for all.
2. No Sacrifice to Demons
“They shall no more sacrifice their sacrifices to goat-demons…” (v. 7)
Israel had learned idolatry in Egypt.
St Gregory the Great teaches:
“False worship always imitates true worship.”
(Homilies)
Typology:
There is no neutral sacrifice.
Either worship is offered to God
or it is offered to something else.
Christ ends all rival altars
by giving Himself wholly to the Father.
3. A Statute Forever
(v. 7)
This law guards Israel
from mixing God with idols.
St Jerome comments:
“God separates His worship from all superstition.”
(Commentary)
Typology:
The Gospel calls for pure worship:
“You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only.”
Christ does not blend with idols;
He replaces them.
4. The Stranger Also Bound
(vv. 8–9)
Not only Israelites,
but strangers living among them
must obey this law.
St Augustine writes:
“Holiness is not tribal but universal.”
(City of God)
Typology:
Salvation is not ethnic.
It is covenantal.
Christ draws Jew and Gentile
to one altar.
5. Eating Blood Forbidden
“If anyone… eats any blood, I will set My face against that person…” (v. 10)
Blood is sacred.
St Ambrose writes:
“Blood is reserved for God because life belongs to God.”
(On the Mysteries)
Typology:
Man may eat flesh,
but not life.
Life is not a possession;
it is a gift.
Christ will give His blood
as a gift of life.
6. “The Life of the Flesh Is in the Blood”
“For the life of the flesh is in the blood…” (v. 11)
This is the heart of the chapter.
St Augustine teaches:
“God teaches by blood that life is not in man’s power.”
(Sermons)
Typology:
Blood equals life.
Life equals God’s gift.
Christ pours out His blood
to pour out His life.
7. Blood Given on the Altar
“I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls.” (v. 11)
Blood is:
• given by God
• placed on the altar
• for atonement
St Gregory the Great writes:
“God provides what God requires.”
(Homilies)
Typology:
God does not demand
what He does not supply.
The Father gives the Son.
The Son gives His blood.
8. Atonement for the Soul
(v. 11)
Blood touches the soul,
not only the body.
St Jerome comments:
“The blood of sacrifice reaches where water cannot.”
(Commentary)
Typology:
The Cross cleanses
the conscience,
not only conduct.
Christ heals guilt,
not just behavior.
9. No Blood for Anyone
(vv. 12–14)
This law is repeated.
St Augustine writes:
“What is repeated is essential.”
(Sermons)
Typology:
God engraves this truth:
Life is sacred.
Life is God’s.
Christ’s blood is not ordinary food;
it is sacramental gift.
10. Hunting and Pouring Out Blood
(vv. 13)
When animals are killed for food,
the blood must be poured out
and covered with earth.
St Ambrose teaches:
“Even in necessity, reverence must remain.”
(On the Duties of the Clergy)
Typology:
Man may use creation
but not profane it.
Christ redeems
not only souls
but creation itself.
11. Covering the Blood with Earth
(v. 13)
Blood returns to dust.
St Gregory the Great writes:
“What returns to earth teaches humility.”
(Homilies)
Typology:
Christ’s blood falls to the ground
to redeem the ground.
Creation is healed
by sacrifice.
12. Carrion and Torn Flesh
(vv. 15–16)
Eating dead flesh
brings uncleanness.
St Augustine teaches:
“What is not offered to God cannot give holiness.”
(Sermons)
Typology:
Life not given back to God
cannot purify man.
Christ’s flesh gives life
because it is offered.
13. The Meaning of Leviticus 17
This chapter teaches:
• there is one altar
• worship must be pure
• blood is sacred
• life belongs to God
• atonement comes through sacrifice
• reverence guards redemption
It proclaims:
You live because God gives life.
You are forgiven because God gives blood.
14. Christ and the Blood
Christ fulfills Leviticus 17 as:
• the true Altar
• the perfect Sacrifice
• the Giver of His own blood
• the Source of life
• the End of idol worship
• the Atonement for souls
• the Covenant of communion
“My blood of the covenant, poured out for many.” (Matt 26:28)
15. The Church and the Altar
In Christ, the Church becomes:
• a one-altar people
• a eucharistic people
• a reverent people
• a redeemed people
• a covenant community
The Eucharist replaces
animal blood.
Life is now given
in Christ’s blood.
Spiritual Application
Do not invent worship.
Reverence life.
Respect the altar.
Flee false gods.
Live from Christ’s blood.
Offer life back to God.
Guard holiness.
Christ in Leviticus 17
Jesus is:
• the One Altar
• the Blood of Life
• the Giver of Atonement
• the End of Idols
• the Source of Communion
• the Redeemer of Creation
• the Covenant of God
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ,
true Altar and living Sacrifice,
You have poured out Your blood
for the life of the world
and made atonement for our souls.
Teach us to reverence the gift of life,
to worship at Your altar alone,
and to live by the blood of the covenant.
Keep us from false worship,
from careless living,
and from forgetting the price of redemption.
May Your blood be our life,
Your Cross be our altar,
and Your covenant be our peace,
until the day when sacrifice gives way to vision
and we drink the new wine with You
in the Kingdom of God
for ever and ever.
Amen.
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 