📖 Biblical Definition
The Blood Motif runs from Abel's blood crying from the ground (Gen 4:10) through the Passover blood on the lintel (Ex 12) through the sacrificial system (Lev 17:11, the life of the flesh is in the blood) through the prophets' concern for innocent blood to Christ's blood that speaketh better things than that of Abel (Heb 12:24). Blood in Scripture signifies life given, sin atoned, covenant ratified, and judgment upon the unjust.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
(Biblical motif.) Life given, sin atoned, covenant ratified, judgment upon the unjust.
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Leviticus 17:11 grounds the motif: 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. Blood is life-substance; its shedding is life given.
Christ's blood gathers and surpasses every prior shedding. The Passover blood, the covenant blood at Sinai, the daily sacrifices, the Day of Atonement — all are answered by His. Hebrews 12:24: the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
📖 Key Scripture
Genesis 4:10 — "The voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground."
Leviticus 17:11 — "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."
Hebrews 9:22 — "And without shedding of blood is no remission."
Hebrews 12:24 — "And to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity is often squeamish about blood; the New Testament is not, and the doctrine of redemption requires it.
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Hebrews 9:22 is unambiguous: without shedding of blood is no remission. The principle is built into creation. Sin requires death; substitutionary death requires blood; Christ's blood is the substitution accepted.
The household's worship and sacrament keep this in view. Nothing but the blood of Jesus, there is power in the blood, this is my blood of the new testament — the language is dense, deliberate, and indispensable.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew dam; Greek haima.
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Hebrew dam — blood.
Greek haima — blood; behind English hematology.
Usage
"Without shedding of blood is no remission."
"Christ's blood gathers and surpasses every prior shedding."
"Nothing but the blood of Jesus."