Big Idea: Blood and sacrifice are important, though they can be abused.

Understanding the Text

Leviticus 17–27 forms a major unit in Leviticus in which “holiness” is emphasized, for which reason it has come to be labeled the “laws of holiness.” Leviticus 17 introduces this unit by emphasizing the holiness of proper sacrifice, the prohibition of idolatry (sacrifice to goat-demons), and the proper use of blood. John Walton describes this chapter as “maintaining holiness from outside the camp” (see “Introduction to Leviticus”).1

Historical and Cultural Background

In Leviticus 17:7 Israel is accused of worshiping male goats (see below). Israel learned idolatry in Egypt. I know of no specific goat-gods in Egypt, but many Egyptian gods had heads of animals. One of the Egyptian gods was the r…