(Leviticus 17: 1 ff)

Blood among the people of Israel was highly respected because of its importance in their livelihood and in their relationship with God.

Blood signified holiness in the community of Israel, which everyone was expected to observe and respect.

Blood showed the people's faithfulness to God. They had to show this by staying away from killing their animals as sacrifices to goat demons.

Eating meat with blood in it was an act of disobedience towards God. This was sinfulness in their relationship.

The Israelites were forbidden from drinking blood. This was a law that had to be obeyed by everyone.

Blood meant life to the people of Israel as the Life of every person could only be sustained with God.

Blood was a sign of protection for the people of Israel like during the Passover in which first born children were spared because of the blood the sacrificed animals which was put on the door posts.

Blood was used for purification and cleansing purposes. This was the reason they had to pour blood in all corners of the altars during purification and the event of sprinkling of blood on the one being purified.

Blood was used as a seal of the covenant relationship between Israel and God as it was the case during the Sinai covenant.

Blood signified some freedom for the Israelites. During Passover, they were saved from destruction by the blood of the sacrificial animal. This marked the beginning of their freedom.

Blood signified love to the people of Israel. The Israelites believed that they shared blood relationship with God as being His chosen people.

Blood helped in the atonement of people's sins. This was by offering animals as sacrifices.

Significance of the Blood of Jesus Christ in the New Testament

• Jesus' blood signified God's love for human kind. God sent his only begotten son to die because of his of love for humanity (John 3: 1 6)
• Jesus is presented as a perfect sacrificial lamb whose blood takes away the sins of man.
• By dying on the cross, Jesus Christ offered protection to all believers. Therefore, whoever believes in him is protected by his blood.
• The blood of Jesus Christ signified the forgiveness of sins. His blood purifies the sinful man and makes him holy again.
• By shedding his blood on the cross, Jesus created a new relationship between the sinful man-and his father.
• The blood of Jesus signified the salvation for human beings from all kinds of troubles.
• Jesus' blood sealed a new and everlasting covenant between humanity and God. It is on his cross that the church exists today.
• Jesus referred to his blood as wine for every believer to drink for their own salvation
•  Jesus blood signified atonement for the sins of human beings. He died on the cross as a punishment that should have been human beings.

SIGNIFICANCE OF BLOOD IN THE AFRICAN TRADITIONAL SOCIETY

• Blood was used to show one's commitment in life especially through pact.
• Blood was a means of forgiveness and reconciliation in the event of disagreement.
• Blood was used to please the gods and other spiritual beings like the ancestors.
• In some societies, blood was used as a meal mainly among pastoralists like the Masaai in Kenya and the Karamajong in Uganda.
• Blood was used to prevent future misfortune or calamities through offering sacrifices.
• The Africans used blood to link the physical and the spiritual. The spirits were invoked through being given blood.
• Blood was used for purification purposes. If one committed an offence which seriously contradicted the people's beliefs like incest or murder he or she had to undergo purification ritual.
•  Blood was a means of seeking blessings from God and other spiritual beings.