Leviticus – Chapter 17

Old Testament • 16 Verses

Chapter Summary

"And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:" — so begins Leviticus 17. The chapter centers on Aaron and Moses. Across its 16 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and God feeding His people. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:

2Speak to Aaron and his sons, and to all the children of Israel, saying to them: This is the word, which the Lord hath commanded, saying:

3Any man whosoever of the house of Israel, if he kill an ox, or a sheep, or a goat in the camp, or without the camp,

4And offer it not at the door of the tabernacle an oblation to the Lord, shall be guilty of blood. As if he had shed blood, so shall he perish from the midst of his people.

5Therefore the children of Israel shall bring to the priest their victims, which they kill in the field, that they may be sanctified to the Lord before the door of the tabernacle of the testimony: and they may sacrifice them for peace offerings to the Lord.

6And the priest shall pour the blood upon the altar of the Lord, at the door of the tabernacle of the testimony: and shall burn the fat for a sweet odour to the Lord.

7And they shall no more sacrifice their victims to devils, with whom they have committed fornication. It shall be an ordinance for ever to them and to their posterity.

8And thou shalt say to them: The man of the house of Israel, and of the strangers who sojourn among you, that offereth a holocaust or a victim,

9And bringeth it not to the door of the tabernacle of the testimony, that it may be offered to the Lord, shall perish from among his people.

10If any man whosoever of the house of Israel, and of the strangers that sojourn among them, eat blood, I will set my face against his soul, and will cut him off from among his people.

11Because the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you, that you may make atonement with it upon the altar for your souls, and the blood may be for an expiation of the soul.

12Therefore I have said to the children of Israel: No soul of you, nor of the strangers that sojourn among you, shall eat blood.

13Any man whosoever of the children of Israel, and of the strangers that sojourn among you, if by hunting or fowling, he take a wild beast or a bird, which is lawful to eat, let him pour out its blood, and cover it with earth.

14For the life of all flesh is in the blood. Therefore I said to the children of Israel: you shall not eat the blood of any flesh at all, because the life of the flesh is in the blood, and whosoever eateth it, shall be cut off.

15The soul that eateth that which died of itself, or has been caught by a beast, whether he be one of your own country or a stranger, shall wash his clothes and himself with water, and shall be defiled until the evening: and in this manner he shall be made clean.

16But if he do not wash his clothes, and his body, he shall bear his iniquity.

Important Verses in Leviticus 17

“And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:”

Leviticus 17:1

“And offer it not at the door of the tabernacle an oblation to the Lord, shall be guilty of blood. As if he had shed blood, so shall he perish from the midst of his people.”

Leviticus 17:4

“Because the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you, that you may make atonement with it upon the altar for your souls, and the blood may be for an expiation of the soul.”

Leviticus 17:11

“But if he do not wash his clothes, and his body, he shall bear his iniquity. ”

Leviticus 17:16

Historical Context

As a Old Testament book, Leviticus was written with the priests (sons of Aaron) and the whole assembly of Israel in view. Chapter 17 of 27 stands in the central portion of the book, where decisive events or teachings take shape. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 16 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Aaron and Moses, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. It opens with the line: "And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:" The chapter ends with: "But if he do not wash his clothes, and his body, he shall bear his iniquity. " In terms of historical background, Leviticus is the liturgical handbook of ancient Israel, given at Sinai to teach a newly freed people how to worship a holy God. Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Core traditions from the wilderness period; final form by the 5th century BC.

Who Wrote It

Traditionally attributed to Moses; contains priestly legislation preserved by the Levitical priesthood

When It Was Written

Core traditions from the wilderness period; final form by the 5th century BC

Catholic Commentary

Read at the narrative level, this chapter describes real persons, decisions, and consequences within holiness, sacrifice, and priestly worship. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:" The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

Catholic exegesis reads Leviticus 17 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. Catholic theology sees these sacrifices fulfilled in Christ's one perfect sacrifice (CIC 1539-1545). St. Irenaeus and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 1095).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that Be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Leviticus 17 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • ✓The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • ✓From the manna to the Last Supper, God feeds His people — fully in the Eucharist.
  • ✓Worship is the heart of the covenant: giving God the praise and adoration that are His due.

People in This Chapter

Aaron1 mentionMoses1 mention

Reflection for Today

Leviticus Chapter 17 belongs to the Old Testament and forms part of the Catholic canon proclaimed in the liturgy of the Word.

Through typology, the Church often reads Old Testament passages as preparing for Christ, while New Testament passages reveal Him explicitly. Catholic theology sees these sacrifices fulfilled in Christ's one perfect sacrifice (CIC 1539-1545). Here the believer is invited to ponder perseverance through trial.

Let Leviticus Chapter 17 deepen your love for the Eucharist, where the Word made flesh continues to feed His people. The same Christ who speaks in Scripture offers Himself sacramentally on the altar.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Leviticus Chapter 17 about?

Leviticus 17 contains 16 verses. It opens with "And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:" and closes with "But if he do not wash his clothes, and his body, he shall bear his iniquity. ". The book as a whole is law and liturgical instruction.

What is a key verse in Leviticus 17?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:" It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Leviticus Chapter 17?

This chapter mentions Aaron, Moses.

Who wrote Leviticus and when?

Traditionally attributed to Moses; contains priestly legislation preserved by the Levitical priesthood. Core traditions from the wilderness period; final form by the 5th century BC.

Related Chapters

Exodus 16Shares people and themes with this chapterNumbers 4Shares people and themes with this chapter1 Chronicles 15Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Prayer for the Family🙏Novena to the Holy Family🙏Prayer Before Communion🙏Spiritual Communion

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