Definition and Significance:
The term "lifeblood" in the Bible refers to the essential life force contained within the blood of living creatures. It is a concept deeply rooted in the biblical understanding of life and death, as well as the sacredness of blood. The notion of lifeblood underscores the belief that life is a divine gift from God, and blood, as its carrier, holds a sacred status.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 9:4-6 :
"But you must not eat meat with its lifeblood still in it. And I will surely demand an accounting for your lifeblood; I will demand it from every beast and from man. From every man, I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellow man. Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind."

In this passage, God establishes a covenant with Noah after the flood, emphasizing the sanctity of life and the prohibition against consuming blood. The lifeblood is seen as the essence of life, and its consumption is forbidden, highlighting the respect for life that God requires from humanity. The passage also introduces the principle of retributive justice, where the shedding of human blood demands accountability.

2. Leviticus 17:10-14 :
"If anyone from the house of Israel or any foreigner living among them eats any blood, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people. For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life. Therefore I say to the Israelites, 'None of you may eat blood, nor may any foreigner living among you eat blood.'"

This passage further elaborates on the prohibition against consuming blood, linking it to the sacrificial system. Blood is portrayed as the medium of atonement, signifying its vital role in the spiritual and physical life of the community. The life of the flesh being in the blood underscores the belief that blood is the life-giving element, and its sacredness is to be preserved.

3. Deuteronomy 12:23 :
"But be sure that you do not eat the blood, because the blood is the life, and you must not eat the life with the meat."

Here, the command is reiterated, emphasizing the separation of life (blood) from the consumption of meat. This reinforces the idea that life is sacred and must be respected, aligning with the broader biblical theme of the sanctity of life.

Theological Implications:

The concept of lifeblood is central to understanding the biblical view of life as a divine gift. It reflects the belief that life is inherently valuable and must be treated with reverence. The prohibition against consuming blood serves as a constant reminder of the sanctity of life and the need for humans to live in accordance with God's commandments.

In the New Testament, the symbolism of blood takes on a new dimension with the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. His blood is seen as the ultimate atonement for sin, fulfilling the Old Testament sacrificial system. This connection between lifeblood and atonement is pivotal in Christian theology, highlighting the continuity and fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through Christ.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, blood was often associated with life and death, and various rituals and taboos surrounded its use. The biblical injunctions against consuming blood set the Israelites apart from surrounding nations, marking them as a people dedicated to the worship of Yahweh and adherence to His laws.

The emphasis on lifeblood in the Bible reflects a broader cultural understanding of blood as a powerful and sacred substance, integral to both physical life and spiritual practices. This understanding continues to influence Christian thought and practice, particularly in the context of the Eucharist, where the blood of Christ is commemorated as a symbol of the new covenant.1. (n.) The blood necessary to life; vital blood.

2. (n.) Fig.: That which gives strength and energy.

5332. netsach -- juice (of grapes), blood, gore
... 5331, 5332. netsach. 5333 . juice (of grapes), blood, gore. Transliteration:
netsach Phonetic Spelling: (nay'-tsakh) Short Definition: lifeblood. ...
/hebrew/5332.htm - 6k

5315. nephesh -- a soul, living being, life, self, person, desire ...
... 1), heart (5), heart's (2), herself (12), Himself (4), himself (19), human (1),
human being (1), hunger (1), life (146), life* (1), lifeblood* (2), lives (34 ...
/hebrew/5315.htm - 7k

1818. dam -- blood
... blood (303), bloodguilt (2), bloodguiltiness (12), bloodshed (27), bloody (7), death
(1), guilt of blood (2), homicide or another (1), life (1), lifeblood* (2 ...
/hebrew/1818.htm - 6k

Colossians 4:14 "Luke, the Beloved Physician. "
... It was the precious lifeblood, which flowed from our Lord's crucified body on Calvary,
which purchased for us redemption from the curse of a broken law. ...
/.../chapter ii colossians 4 14 luke.htm

The Coming of a Deliverer
... not yield to utter despair. The Son of God was offering to atone with
His own lifeblood for their transgression. To them was to ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 58 the coming of.htm

The Mission of the Twelve
... all His followers, that giving of His presence to their assemblies, His honor to
their keeping, His victory to their experience, and His lifeblood to their ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 6 7-13 the mission of.htm

The Foreshadowing of the Cross
... The heart, failing to send its lifeblood to the hand and the head, would
quickly lose its power. As our lifeblood, so is the love ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 45 the foreshadowing of.htm

The Sixth Miracle in John's Gospel --The Blind Made to See, and ...
... looked at by us as an opportunity for the manifestation through us of God's mercy
in relieving and stanching the wounds through which the lifeblood is ebbing ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the sixth miracle in johns.htm

The Secret Burden
... and places, and people. Particularity, and taking instances, is the very
lifeblood of all true and prevailing prayer. But you dare ...
//christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/xxii the secret burden.htm

Heart's-Ease
... Self-restraint and honesty and independence, if they are the crown upon the head
of a benignant despotism, are the very lifeblood in the veins of a self ...
//christianbookshelf.org/brooks/hearts-ease/hearts-ease.htm

The Feast of the Lord
... It is when the blood flows"when the lifeblood ebbs from the body, and the body is
bloodless, that then you have the wine as a token of death; and the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/the feast of the lord.htm

Members of Christ
... And such is our life. Christ pours his lifeblood into us. Perpetually, as long
as he exists, he seems to be oozing out into his people. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/members of christ.htm

Blessed and Tragic Unconsciousness
... When the lifeblood is pouring out of a man, he faints before he dies. The swoon
of unconsciousness is the condition of some professing Christians. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/blessed and tragic unconsciousness.htm

Lifeblood (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Lifeblood (6 Occurrences). Genesis 9:4 Only flesh with
the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat. (See NIV). ...
/l/lifeblood.htm - 8k

Trod (14 Occurrences)
... the winepress alone; and of the peoples there was no man with me: yes, I trod them
in my anger, and trampled them in my wrath; and their lifeblood is sprinkled ...
/t/trod.htm - 11k

Life-blood (4 Occurrences)
Life-blood. Lifeblood, Life-blood. Lifeboat . Multi-Version Concordance
Life-blood (4 Occurrences). ... (BBE). Lifeblood, Life-blood. Lifeboat . Reference
/l/life-blood.htm - 7k

Stained (6 Occurrences)
... the winepress alone; and of the peoples there was no man with me: yes, I trod them
in my anger, and trampled them in my wrath; and their lifeblood is sprinkled ...
/s/stained.htm - 8k

Winepress (19 Occurrences)
... the winepress alone; and of the peoples there was no man with me: yes, I trod them
in my anger, and trampled them in my wrath; and their lifeblood is sprinkled ...
/w/winepress.htm - 14k

Trodden (42 Occurrences)
... the winepress alone; and of the peoples there was no man with me: yes, I trod them
in my anger, and trampled them in my wrath; and their lifeblood is sprinkled ...
/t/trodden.htm - 19k

Trampled (41 Occurrences)
... the winepress alone; and of the peoples there was no man with me: yes, I trod them
in my anger, and trampled them in my wrath; and their lifeblood is sprinkled ...
/t/trampled.htm - 19k

Sprinkled (55 Occurrences)
... the winepress alone; and of the peoples there was no man with me: yes, I trod them
in my anger, and trampled them in my wrath; and their lifeblood is sprinkled ...
/s/sprinkled.htm - 24k

Drunk (84 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 63:6 I trod down the peoples in my anger, and made them drunk in my wrath,
and I poured out their lifeblood on the earth." (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT ...
/d/drunk.htm - 34k

Life (6001 Occurrences)

/l/life.htm - 51k

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