In Genesis 9:4 we see God laying down a restriction—not to eat blood. The restriction is in the terms that a beast must first be slaughtered and then the blood drained from it before it may be eaten (kashrut, or dietary laws).

The kashrut is laid out for us in Leviticus 17 and Deuteronomy 12. The Hebrews believed that blood is the source of life and the means by which life is perpetuated (i.e. the blood is in the soul—Deut 12:23; Is 53:12). To remove blood was to remove life. Thus, the blood is understood to be distinct and unique (even sacred) from the other parts of animals. In addition, the setting apart of the blood stems from the belief that it is principally used for the purpose of expiation and atonement—it is too sacred to be eaten.

In the NT, Paul shows that the Christian has no “clean or unclean” food laws in a ceremonial sense; “All things are indeed pure” (Rom. 14:20; cf. Col 2:16; Tit 1:15; 1 Tim 1:1-4). However, for health reasons some (like myself) should not eat blood.

Reformed and Always Reforming,