1And the LORD spake unto Moses , saying , 2Speak unto Aaron , and unto his sons , and unto all the children of Israel , and say unto them; This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded , saying , 3What man soever there be of the house of Israel , that killeth an ox , or lamb , or goat , in the camp , or that killeth it out of the camp , 4And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation , to offer an offering unto the LORD before the tabernacle of the LORD ; blood shall be imputed unto that man ; he hath shed blood ; and that man shall be cut off from among his people : 5To the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices , which they offer in the open field , even that they may bring them unto the LORD , unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation , unto the priest , and offer them for peace offerings unto the LORD . 6And the priest shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar of the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation , and burn the fat for a sweet savour unto the LORD . 7And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils , after whom they have gone a whoring . This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations . 8And thou shalt say unto them, Whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel , or of the strangers which sojourn among you, that offereth a burnt offering or sacrifice , 9And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation , to offer it unto the LORD ; even that man shall be cut off from among his people . 10And whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel , or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood ; I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood , and will cut him off from among his people .
The Centralization of Worship
11For the life of the flesh is in the blood : and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls : for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul . 12Therefore I said unto the children of Israel , No soul of you shall eat blood , neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood . 13And whatsoever man there be of the children of Israel , or of the strangers that sojourn among you, which hunteth and catcheth any beast or fowl that may be eaten ; he shall even pour out the blood thereof, and cover it with dust . 14For it is the life of all flesh ; the blood of it is for the life thereof: therefore I said unto the children of Israel , Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh : for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof: whosoever eateth it shall be cut off . 15And every soul that eateth that which died of itself , or that which was torn with beasts, whether it be one of your own country , or a stranger , he shall both wash his clothes , and bathe himself in water , and be unclean until the even : then shall he be clean . 16But if he wash them not, nor bathe his flesh ; then he shall bear his iniquity .