The Skeptics Annotated Bible (114 page)

7 And 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.

8 And 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,

9 And 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.

(17.10-14) Many Jehovah’s Witnesses have died because the Governing Body considers blood transfusions to be “eating blood.” And although their view on this has recently changed to allow some use of blood, the Governing Body is careful not to explain its new, complicated rules on blood to its followers.

10 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.

(17.10)
“I will even set my face against that soul that eateth blood.”

11 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.

(17.11)
“It is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.”
20 Does God desire animal sacrifices?

12 Therefore I said unto the children of Israel,
No soul of you shall eat blood
, neither shall any stranger that sojourneth among you eat blood.

(17.12)
“No soul of you shall eat blood.”

13 And 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.

14 For 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.

(17.14)
“Ye shall eat the blood of no manner of flesh: for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof.”

15 And 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.

16 But if he wash them not, nor bathe his flesh; then he shall bear his iniquity.

18
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, I am the LORD your God.

3 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.

4 Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the LORD your God.

5 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.

(18.6-18) Don’t uncover the nakedness of any of your relatives or neighbors. Just ask them to keep their clothes on while you are around.
55 Is incest forbidden?

6
None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD.

(18.6)
“None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD.”

7
The nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover
: she is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.

(18.7)
“The nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover.”

8
The nakedness of thy father’s wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father’s nakedness.

(18.8)
“The nakedness of thy father’s wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father’s nakedness.”

9
The nakedness of thy sister, the daughter of thy father, or daughter of thy mother
, whether she be born at home, or born abroad, even their nakedness
thou shalt not uncover.

(18.9)
“The nakedness of thy sister, the daughter of thy father, or daughter of thy mother … thou shalt not uncover.”

10
The nakedness of thy son’s daughter, or of thy daughter’s daughter
, even their nakedness
thou shalt not uncover
: for their’s is thine own nakedness.

(18.10)
The nakedness of they son’s daughter, or of thy daughter’s daughter … thou shalt not uncover.”

11
The nakedness of thy father’s wife’s daughter,
begotten of thy father, she is thy sister,
thou shalt not uncover
her nakedness.

(18.11)
“The nakedness of thy father’s wife’s daughter … thou shalt not uncover.”

12
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father’s sister
: she is thy father’s near kinswoman.

(18.12)
“Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father’s sister.”

13
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother’s sister
: for she is thy mother’s near kinswoman.

(18.13)
“Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother’s sister.”

14
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father’s brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she is thine aunt.

(18.14)
“Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father’s brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she is thine aunt.”

15
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter in law
: she is thy son’s wife; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.

(18.15)
“Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter in law.”

16
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it is thy brother’s nakedness.

(18.16)
“Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother’s wife: it is thy brother’s nakedness.”

17
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, neither shalt thou take her son’s daughter, or her daughter’s daughter
, to uncover her nakedness; for they are her near kinswomen:
it is wickedness.

(18.17)
“Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter, neither shalt thou take her son’s daughter, or her daughter’s daughter … it is wickedness.”

18
Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister
, to vex her,
to uncover her nakedness
, beside the other in her life time.

(18.18) “
Neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister … to uncover her nakedness.”

19 Also
thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is put apart for her uncleanness.

(18.19)
“Thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is apart for her uncleanness.”
(Don’t even
look
at a menstruating woman.)