Literal interpretation

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What do you people think genesis 9:5 means? Please don't read any commentary from other people, but just read genesis 9:1-9:6 and give your opinion after you read. I think all Bible experts are wrong.

Any animal or human being that takes the life of a human being will have to account for the life of that human being.

Thanks for answering. I interpreted as, that your lifeblood (or my) will be demanded an accounting for when any animal or man is killed by me or you.

I would edit this to:
Any animal or human being that unjustly takes the life of a human being will have to account for the life of that human being.
If someone is found guilty and sentenced to death, I do not believe the executioner is then tried for murder.

I believe everyone is off on there answer. We need to read verses 3-6 combining.

Gen 9:3 Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.

Gen 9:4 But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.

Gen 9:5 And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man.

Gen 9:6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

We need to understand that the word meat in verse 3 is an old English word meaning food. Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat or food is talking about rapid crawling creatures like lizards, locus etc.. It does not mean anything that moves.

Verse 4 speaks of a flesh that is not a rapid crawling creature. This flesh in verse 4 is all other animals including man that has a heart that pumps the blood like a man. It does not mean do not eat the blood mixed with the flesh.

Now verse 5 you need remember that the commandment is not placed upon animals but upon mankind. Verse 5 provides what man will reap if he or she eats the flesh of any animal that has the same blood pumping characteristics as mankind and/or eat the flesh of mankind. God will require the life of that man by the hand of a beast or hand of a man. The word require only means that the life of that man will be carefully seeked or resorted to. It does not determine absolute death upon that man and it doesn't mean the beast or man is out to kill that man with the knowledge of the flesh being eaten. Most likely they allow themselves be possessed with the spirit of murder from the mans act of eating such flesh.

Verse 5 further goes on saying that such spirit of murder will continue to effect every mans brother in seeking or resort to taking away the life of a man meaning its open game of murder here in addition to the life of the original flesh eating man. Now look at the world today. The book of Isaiah 11:6 and 65:25 will come to pass when we begin to obey these verses and stop eating such flesh.

Verse 6 commands immediate judgment upon that man that murders another man. The judgment is carried out by another man that is right with God.

This is my first time typing out my thoughts on the subject. I could spend more time on it to critic or fine tune some words or phrases and even add more insight. Like to know if anyone out there see the same way as myself. God Bless and may we stop eating our animals. Their flesh is not necessary to sustain our lives. All the vegetation including certain small creatures and bugs is all we need to enjoy a very healthy life.

--Curt Byron

I'm sorry, but personally what I think is that nobody sensible and rational should take ANYTHING from any "bible" literally.

I have a sort of similar opinion , yeah there's some things in the Bible ( not just singling out the Bible either ) that are like WTF and are taken far too literally by some extremists ( not accusing anyone in this thread ) . I am not religious but I do like that the Bible is used as a moral code for some and if it keeps them on the straight and narrow and helps people I'm all for that.

I found the passages quite opaque.

They seem to be saying that any animal is fair game to eat, but kill it first. Don't chow down on a critter while its still alive (ie still has its heart beating). Who would do such a thing anyway?

But don't murder humans. We already have that covered in the Ten Commandments, and its kinda a nonsequitar to what animals and plants you can eat.

Just in case it wasn't a rhetorical question , oysters are often eaten alive as are witchita grubs , here's a nasty list http://listverse.com/2013/03/06/10-anim ... eat-alive/

"Meat" was used in Shakespearean times (early Modern English) to mean "food."

I would say that a true interpretation of what was written in these verses is heavily dependent upon specific context.

I doubt that the God of the 7th-8th century BC would advocate only eating insects and plants.

People didnt lead sedentary lives then. They absolutely required animal flesh.

In Genesis chapter 1 a vegan diet (edenic diet, fruitarian diet) is given to mankind. After sin, vegetables were added. And after flood, God gave the permission to eat crawling animals.

You have take into account the lives of actual people. People in an Edenic paradise don't have to work much.

I think God was smart enough to realize this.

Indeed. But also, in non eden environments, you can live healthy on a vegan diet.

Looks to me like it's saying not to kill other people.

Really?

That's interesting. First fruitarian, then vegitarian, and then carnivorous/omnivorous.

But cannibalism is still off limits.

So the passage means "you can now eat animal flesh, but don't eat other humans"?