Leviticus 17:4

French S21 2007 (Bible Segond 21)

sans l’amener à l'entrée de la tente de la rencontre pour en faire une offrande à l'Eternel devant le tabernacle de l'Eternel, cet homme sera coupable du sang versé; il a versé le sang, il sera exclu du milieu de son peuple.’

What Does This Mean?

This verse from Leviticus says that if someone kills an animal and doesn't bring it to the tabernacle for a sacrifice to God, they are considered to have shed blood, and they will be cut off from the community. God is speaking through Moses, emphasizing the importance of proper sacrifice.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have a special toy that you're not allowed to play with unless you show it to your parents first. If you hide it and play with it without telling them, you're breaking the rules. In the same way, this verse says that if you kill an animal, you must bring it to the special tent to show God, or you're breaking a big rule.

Historical Background

This verse was written by Moses around 1446-1406 BCE, as part of the law given to the Israelites. The audience was the entire Israelite community, and the cultural setting was a nomadic lifestyle with a centralized place of worship, the tabernacle.

Living It Out Today

In modern times, this verse can remind us of the importance of following the rules and respecting the boundaries set by our communities and God. For example, if someone decides to handle a serious issue privately instead of consulting with their community or a spiritual leader, they might miss out on the support and guidance they need.

Topics

• sacrifice
• obedience
• community
• worship
• punishment
• sanctity

Related Verses

• Leviticus 19:5
• Exodus 22:31
• Numbers 15:30
• Hebrews 10:29
• Isaiah 1:11

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if someone breaks this rule?

According to Leviticus 17:4, if someone kills an animal and does not bring it to the tabernacle for a sacrifice, they are considered to have shed blood and will be cut off from the community.

Why is it important to bring the animal to the tabernacle?

Bringing the animal to the tabernacle for sacrifice is a way to show reverence and obedience to God, ensuring that the act is done in a way that pleases God and maintains the sanctity of the community.

What does 'cut off from among his people' mean?

Being 'cut off' means the person is excluded from the community, which is a severe punishment indicating a loss of community support and divine protection.

How does this relate to modern Christian practice?

While the literal practice of animal sacrifice is not part of modern Christian practice, the principle of following God's rules and seeking guidance from the community remains relevant for Christians today.