Significance of Blood in Scripture and Redemption

The concept of blood in Scripture is deeply tied to the idea of life and redemption. In the biblical account, blood is considered sacred because it represents life, as stated in Leviticus 17:11, "the life of the body is in its blood" ^[11]. This understanding is rooted in the creation narrative, where God prohibits the consumption of blood after the flood, reserving it to Himself (Genesis 9:4) ^[1].

The significance of blood is further emphasized in the context of sacrifice and atonement. The blood of animals was used to make atonement for sin, symbolizing the life given by God and reserved for divine purposes ^[11]. The prohibition on consuming blood was reiterated in the decree of the council of Jerusalem (Acts 15:29) ^[2]. The shedding of blood, whether animal or human, is considered a serious offense, with human bloodshed being particularly egregious and subject to divine retribution (Genesis 9:5) ^[7].

In the New Testament, the concept of blood takes on a new significance with the advent of Jesus Christ. Jesus' blood is seen as the means of redemption for humanity, with His sacrificial death providing eternal redemption for believers (Hebrews 9:12) ^[11]. The Last Supper, where Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper, is a pivotal moment in this narrative, as He equates the wine with His blood, stating, "For this is my blood of the New Testament, that is shedde for many, for the remission of sinnes" (Matthew 26:28) ^[4].

The significance of Christ's blood is multifaceted. It is seen as a symbol of His life freely given, providing redemption from sin and its consequences ^[8]. The blood of Christ is described as "precious" (1 Peter 1:19), highlighting its inestimable value in securing the salvation of believers ^{[10, 12]}. The atonement made by Christ's blood is understood to be a once-for-all event, superseding the repeated sacrifices of the Old Testament (Hebrews 9:12; 10:4) ^[3].

Different Christian traditions interpret the significance of blood in Scripture and redemption in similar ways, emphasizing the centrality of Christ's sacrifice. one commentary tradition on 1 Peter 1:19 notes that the blood of Christ is "without blemish and without spot," underscoring its efficacy for redemption ^[12]. Similarly, the Baptist/Reformed interpretation of Romans 5:9 highlights that justification is "by his blood," emphasizing the role of Christ's sacrifice in securing salvation ^[14].

The reverence for the blood of Christ is reflected in the early Christian practice of abstaining from blood, as seen in the council of Jerusalem's decree (Acts 15:29) ^[2]. This reverence is also evident in the symbolic use of blood in the sacraments, such as the Lord's Supper, where the wine represents Christ's blood ^{[4, 13]}.

The shedding of human blood, in contrast, is viewed as a grave offense, with God avenging the blood of the innocent (Revelation 18:24) ^[5]. The concept of the "avenger of blood" in the Old Testament highlights the seriousness with which the shedding of human blood is regarded (Numbers 35:19) ^[6].

The significance of blood in Scripture and redemption is thus deeply tied to the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Through His blood, believers are redeemed from sin and its consequences, and this redemption is understood to be a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith ^{[8, 9]}.

Sources

Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Blood — To blood is ascribed in Scripture the mysterious sacredness which belongs to life, and God reserved it to himself when allowing man the dominion over and the use of the lower animals for food. Thus reserved, it acquires a double power: (1) that of sacrificial atonement; and (2) that of becoming a curse when wantonly shed, unless duly expiated. (Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 7:26; 17:11-13)”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Blood — (1.) As food, prohibited in Gen. 9:4, where the use of animal food is first allowed. Comp. Deut. 12:23; Lev. 3:17; 7:26; 17:10-14. The injunction to abstain from blood is renewed in the decree of the council of Jerusalem (Acts 15:29). It has been held by some, and we think correctly, that this law of prohibition was only ceremonial and temporary; while others regard it as still binding on all. Blood was eaten by the Israelites after the battle of Gilboa (1 Sam. 14:32-34). (2.) The blood of sacrifices was caught by the priest in a basin, and then sprinkled sev”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Pardon — Promised -- Isa 1:18; Jer 31:34; Heb 8:12; Jer 50:20. None without shedding of blood -- Le 17:11; Heb 9:22. Legal sacrifices, ineffectual for -- Heb 10:4. Outward purifications, ineffectual for -- Job 9:30,31; Jer 2:22. The blood of Christ, alone, is efficacious for -- Zec 13:1; 1Jo 1:7. Is granted By God alone. -- Da 9:9; Mr 2:7. By Christ. -- Mr 2:5; Lu 7:48. Through Christ. -- Lu 1:69,77; Ac 5:31; 13:38. Through the blood of Christ. -- Mt 26:28; Ro 3:25; Col 1:14. For the name's sake of Christ. -- 1Jo 2:12. According to the riches of grace. -- Eph 1:7. On”
Matthew “Matthew 26:28 (Geneva1599) — For this is my blood of the Newe Testament, that is shedde for many, for the remission of sinnes.”
Revelation “In her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all who have been slain on the earth.” -- Revelation 18:24”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Blood, Revenger Of — He who avenged the blood of one who had been killed. The nearest relative of the deceased became the authorized avenger of blood. (Numbers 35:19) The law of retaliation was not to extend beyond the immediate offender. (24:16; 2 Kings 14:6; 2 Chronicles 25:4; Jeremiah 31:29,30; Ezekiel 18:20)”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Blood — The life of animals -- Ge 9:4; Le 17:11,14. Fluid -- De 12:16. Red -- 2Ki 3:22; Joe 2:31. Of all men the same -- Ac 17:26. Eating of, forbidden to Man after the flood. -- Ge 9:4. The Israelites under the law. -- Le 3:17; 17:10,12. The early Christians. -- Ac 15:20,29. The Jews often guilty of eating -- 1Sa 14:32,33; Eze 33:25. Of animals slain for good to be poured on the earth and covered -- Le 17:13; De 12:16,24. Birds of prey delight in -- Job 39:30. Beasts of prey delight in -- Nu 23:24; Ps 68:23. Shedding of human Forbidden. -- Ge 9:5. Hateful to God. --”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Redemption — Defined -- 1Co 6:20; 7:23. Is of God -- Isa 44:21-23; 43:1; Lu 1:68. Is by Christ -- Mt 20:28; Ga 3:13. Is by the blood of Christ -- Ac 20:28; Heb 9:12; 1Pe 1:19; Re 5:9. Christ sent to effect -- Ga 4:4,5. Christ is made, to us -- 1Co 1:30. Is from The bondage of the law. -- Ga 4:5. The curse of the law. -- Ga 3:13. The power of sin. -- Ro 6:18,22. The power of the grave. -- Ps 49:15. All troubles. -- Ps 25:22. All iniquity. -- Ps 130:8; Tit 2:14. All evil. -- Ge 48:16. The present evil world. -- Ga 1:4. Vain conversation. -- 1Pe 1:18. Enemies. -- Ps 106”
Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 5:9: 5:9 The blood of Christ refers to Jesus’ sacrificial death (3:25). In the Scriptures, blood is shorthand for a violent death (Lev 17:11), especially when that death atones for sins. • he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation: Paul frequently speaks of salvation as the final deliverance of believers from God’s wrath and the tribulations of this life (see Rom 13:11).”
1 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Peter 1:19: But with the precious blood of Christ,.... Christ was prophesied of as a Redeemer under the Old Testament, Isa 59:20 and the Jews frequently ascribe redemption to the word of the Lord God (f); and which the apostle here attributes to the blood of Christ; whose blood is the same with ours, only not tainted with sin; the blood of an innocent person, and of one who is God, as well as man, and was freely shed in the room and stead of his people, and so a sufficient price for their redemption: and it may truly be said to be "precious": as it is to God, to whom it is a swe”
Leviticus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Leviticus 17:11: 17:11 the life of the body is in its blood: Israel was forbidden to consume blood (17:10) because it was symbolic of the life given by God and was reserved as God’s portion of each animal offering. God had also designated the sacrificial blood as the means of atonement. In other words, God’s grace permitted the life of the animal to be accepted in exchange for the life of the sinner. In the New Testament, the blood of Christ—representing his life freely given—has provided eternal redemption for believers (Heb 9:12).”
1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 1:19: precious--of inestimable value. The Greek order is, "With precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish (in itself) and without spot (contracted by contact with others), (even the blood) of Christ." Though very man, He remained pure in Himself ("without blemish"), and uninfected by any impression of sin from without ("without spot"), which would have unfitted Him for being our atoning Redeemer: so the passover lamb, and every sacrificial victim; so too, the Church, the Bride, by her union with Him. As Israel's redemption from Egypt required the blood o”
Exodus (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Exodus 12:7: Take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts - This was to be done by dipping a bunch of hyssop into the blood, and thus sprinkling it upon the posts, etc.; see Exo 12:22. That this sprinkling of the blood of the paschal lamb was an emblem of the sacrifice and atonement made by the death of Jesus Christ, is most clearly intimated in the sacred writings, Pe1 1:2; Heb 9:13, Heb 9:14; Heb 8:10. It is remarkable that no blood was to be sprinkled on the threshold, to teach, as Mr. Ainsworth properly observes, a reverent regard for the blood of Christ, that men ”
Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 5:9: Much more then being now justified by his blood,.... The apostle here argues from justification by Christ to salvation by him, there being a certain and inseparable connection between these two; whoever is justified shall be saved; and speaks of justification "as being now by his blood". Justification in God's mind from eternity proceeded upon the suretyship engagements of Christ to be performed in time; the Old Testament saints were justified of God with a view to the blood of the Lamb which was to be shed; this blood was "now" shed, and an application of justificatio”

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