The concept of blood in the Bible is deeply intertwined with themes of sacrifice, atonement, redemption, and covenant. From the blood of animals in the Old Testament to the precious blood of Jesus Christ in the New Testament, blood symbolizes life, sacrifice, and the price of salvation. This article highlights 30 Bible verses that reflect the significance of blood in both the Old and New Testaments, offering insights into its role in God’s plan of redemption.
Bible Scriptures About the Blood
1. Genesis 4:10
“The Lord said, ‘What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.'”
This verse speaks to the consequences of Cain’s sin. Abel’s blood calls out for justice, signaling the importance of blood in the context of sin and righteousness.
2. Genesis 9:4
“But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it.”
God instructed Noah and his descendants not to consume meat with its lifeblood, emphasizing the sanctity of life, which is represented by blood.
3. Exodus 12:7
“Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs.”
During the first Passover, the blood of the lamb became a sign of protection for the Israelites, ensuring the Angel of Death passed over their homes.
4. Exodus 12:13
“The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.”
The blood of the lamb was a key element in the Israelites’ deliverance from Egypt, symbolizing God’s protection and deliverance through sacrifice.
5. Leviticus 17:11
“For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.”
This verse underscores the significance of blood in the sacrificial system, where the shedding of blood was essential for atonement.
6. Leviticus 17:14
“Because the life of every creature is its blood: its blood is its life. Anyone who eats it must be cut off.”
Blood is sacred because it represents life, and consuming it was prohibited as a sign of respecting God’s creation.
7. Leviticus 16:14
“He is to take some of the blood of the bull and with his finger sprinkle it on the front of the atonement cover; then he shall sprinkle some of it with his finger seven times before the atonement cover.”
This verse highlights the role of blood in the Day of Atonement, a ritual where blood was sprinkled to purify the people and the sanctuary.
8. Leviticus 16:19
“Then he shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times to cleanse it and to consecrate it.”
The act of sprinkling blood during the Day of Atonement was a symbol of purification, cleansing, and sanctification.
9. Matthew 26:28
“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
Jesus speaks these words during the Last Supper, explaining that His blood will establish a new covenant and bring forgiveness for sins.
10. Mark 14:24
“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them.
Jesus reiterates the promise that His blood is the basis for the new covenant, symbolizing redemption and forgiveness.
11. Luke 22:20
“In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.'”
The blood of Jesus inaugurates a new covenant, which fulfills the old sacrificial system and provides eternal salvation.
12. John 6:54
“Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
Jesus teaches that His blood is essential for eternal life, signifying the spiritual nourishment and life-giving power of His sacrifice.
13. Romans 3:25
“God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished.”
Jesus’ blood was the means by which God demonstrated His justice and mercy, offering salvation to all who believe.
14. Romans 5:9
“Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!”
The blood of Jesus justifies believers, saving them from God’s wrath and reconciling them to God.
15. 1 Corinthians 10:16
“Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?”
The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, symbolizes participation in the body and blood of Christ, reinforcing the believer’s union with Christ.
16. 1 Corinthians 11:25
“In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.'”
The blood of Christ is remembered and honored during the act of communion, serving as a reminder of Christ’s sacrifice.
17. Ephesians 1:7
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”
Through Christ’s blood, believers receive redemption and forgiveness, highlighting the importance of His sacrifice.
18. Colossians 1:20
“And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”
The blood of Jesus brings peace and reconciliation between God and mankind, restoring what was broken by sin.
19. Hebrews 9:12
“He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.”
Jesus’ blood was the ultimate sacrifice that provided eternal redemption, surpassing the temporary sacrifices of the Old Testament.
20. Hebrews 9:22
“In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”
This verse emphasizes the necessity of blood for atonement, a principle that culminates in the sacrifice of Christ.
21. Hebrews 10:19
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus…”
The blood of Jesus grants believers direct access to God, allowing them to approach Him with confidence.
22. Hebrews 12:24
“To Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.”
The blood of Jesus speaks of grace and forgiveness, contrasting with the blood of Abel, which cried out for justice.
23. Revelation 1:5
“And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood.”
The blood of Jesus brings liberation from sin, highlighting the freedom believers have in Him.
24. Revelation 5:9
“And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.'”
Through His blood, Jesus has purchased believers from all nations, symbolizing the universal nature of salvation.
25. Revelation 7:14
“‘These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.'”
The blood of Jesus purifies believers, making them righteous before God.
26. Revelation 12:11
“They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”
The blood of Jesus grants victory over Satan, and believers overcome through their faith in His sacrifice.
27. Genesis 3:21
“The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.”
God’s action of providing garments of skin for Adam and Eve after their fall suggests the first sacrificial act involving the shedding of blood for covering.
28. Exodus 24:8
“Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, ‘This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words.'”
The blood of animals in the Old Testament sealed covenants, a practice that prefigures the blood of Christ that seals the New Covenant.
29. Leviticus 4:7
“The priest shall put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of fragrant incense that is before the Lord in the tent of meeting; the rest of the blood he shall pour out at the base of the altar of burnt offering at the entrance to the tent of meeting.”
The shedding of blood in the sacrificial system sanctified the altar, symbolizing the need for purification in God’s presence.
30. Hebrews 9:14
“How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”
Christ’s blood has the power to cleanse the believer’s conscience, freeing them from the effects of sin.
Conclusion
The concept of blood in the Bible is not only a symbol of life but also a necessary element for atonement, covenant, and redemption. From the sacrifices of animals in the Old Testament to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the shedding of blood signifies the cost of sin and the price of salvation. As these 30 scriptures illustrate, the blood of Jesus is central to the Christian faith, offering forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and eternal life. The significance of blood continues to resonate throughout the scriptures, reminding believers of God’s great love and sacrifice for humanity.
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