Genesis 4:10 states, "And He said: 'What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto Me from the ground." (Jewish Publication Society Bible) YHVH* God Himself tells that blood communicates to Him. In fact, Genesis 4:10 is the first time blood is mentioned. It is mentioned after Cain slew His brother Abel. God knew Abel was no more because Abel’s blood cried out to God. How does blood acquire vocal ability? Before this question is pondered upon, a closer look at the ramifications of this first event of bloodshed is needed.
Implications of Senseless Bloodshed
When Cain killed Abel, it was a crime of passion because it was rooted in envy, a dangerously passionate emotion that can consume a person. The Bible states within the ten commandments that a person is not to kill.
However, this command was given before the commandments were written but with details concerning why found in Genesis 9:5-6 from the JPS Bible, "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, even at the hand of every man's brother, will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God made He man."
God spared Cain’s life, however after the cleansing or flood, God is clear that He will no longer tolerate senseless bloodshed against His creation, man. Why does YHVH God mention blood instead of just simply saying life? Genesis 9:4 (JPS) tells the believer, “Only flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.” God finally tells man that his very life, and the life of every creature is found in the blood of said creature.
The Physical Nature of Blood
Blood flows through the body as the heart pumps it out. What happens if a part of the body is not receiving enough or any blood at all? That part of the body literally dies, it is useless. This is what happens with people suffering from diabetes. Circulation of the blood diminishes to the extremities, especially the legs. If left untreated or if caught too late, the dead part has to be removed.
Some believe that God looks at flesh and blood in the same way. According to YHVH God in Genesis 9:4, as long as the flesh has its own blood lying in it, life still exists in that flesh.
Blood is a life giving force, in simple terms life is in the blood. Not only is life in the blood, but the blood also provides information that tell a story. Here are just a few examples of the information blood provides:
- Paternity identification
- DNA of a person
- Diseases found in a person
- Pregnancy by nurturing new life
The Voice of Blood
The Bible states in 1 John 5:8 that the blood, is one of three entities that bear witness in earth, "And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one." (King James Version Bible)
Going back to Genesis 4:10 which tells of Abel's blood crying out to God, it appears that Abel’s blood was giving testimony, bearing witness, to his murder. Much the same way blood evidence at a crime scene gives a testimony to the detectives about the events that took place when the crime occurred.
According to 1 John 5:8 in the King James Version and Genesis 4:10 blood has a voice that God hears. This crimson voice bears witness, gives testimony from earth. When a life is taken, just as was Abel’s, the blood of the slain testifies to God.
Resources Cited
- Nelson, L. (1998). JPS Electronic Edition. Retrieved July 2009
- King James Version of the Bible; (1611), Public Domain.
*YHVH is the personal and proper name of God which means "He Exists." There are no vowels to complete the name of YHVH as his name has not been spoken for several centuries, therefore it is impossible to know the accurate spelling of God's name.
ShawnTe Pierce - ShawnTe Pierce is a freelance writer and fashion designer from Maryland. Ms. Pierce has a Bachelors of Science from the University of ...
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