Leviticus Morality and Ethics Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)

Quote #1

If anyone of the house of Israel or of the aliens who reside among them eats any blood, I will set my face against that person who eats blood, and will cut that person off from the people. For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you for making atonement for your lives on the altar; for, as life, it is the blood that makes atonement. (NRSV 17:10-11)

And 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. For 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. (KJV 17:10-11)

If you hop a TARDIS back to ancient Israel, don't order your steak rare. According to Leviticus, blood is life and life is sacred. The right thing to do with blood is to offer it back to giver of life, namely, God.

Quote #2

Speak to the people of Israel and say to them: I am the Lord your God. You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not follow their statutes. My ordinances you shall observe and my statutes you shall keep, following them: I am the Lord your God. (NRSV 18:2-4)

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, I am the Lord your God. After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances. Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the Lord your God. (KJV 18:2-4)

Don't walk like an Egyptian. Or a Canaanite. Or Igor. Just read Leviticus and walk this way.

Quote #3

You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination. (NRSV 18:22)

Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. (KJV 18:22)

Fun fact: this verse says nothing about women having sex with other women (source). According to one leading commentator, the law existed so men with more than one wife could have a threesome.