SPECIAL TOPIC: BLOOD

In the OT blood (BDB 196) denotes the life (cf. Lev. 17:11,14; Gen. 9:4; Deut. 12:23).
This life, both animal and human, is a gift from God and belongs to God.

The AB, vol. 1, p. 761, notes that “blood” and “life” are poetical parallels in Hebrew,
Ugaritic, and Akkadian.

In the Mosaic sacrificial system sin required a life (cf. Ezek. 18:4,20). God graciously
allowed the substitute of an innocent animal’s life to atone for the sin of a human. Ultimately the blood that will atone for
human rebellion is Jesus, the Messiah’s blood/death (cf. Isaiah 15; Mark 10:45; 14:24; John 1:29; Rom. 3:25; 15:8-9;
2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 1:2,19; 1 John 1:7; Rev. 1:5; 5:9). An innocent life was given on behalf of the guilty (i.e., Hebrew
corporality, cf. Rom. 5:12-21; 2 Cor. 5:14-15).