Apologetics

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Study on the word "Blood" in the Old And New Testaments

The word "blood" appears 340 times in the Old Testament. Three times the word does not have a Hebrew word attached to it, the word being inserted in (probably for clarification) by an ancient scribe. Once by Netsach (nay'-tsakh) Strong's Number 5332, and 336 times by Dam (dawm) Strong's Number 1818. The one derivation from Dam (blood, as that which when shed causes the death of man or animal), is found in Isaiah 63:3 (Netsach) and means blood through the idea of brilliancy of color i.e. juice of the grape (as blood red). It can also mean strength. Isaiah 63:3(KJV) illustrates this;
"I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment".

Thus Isaiah used the word "Netsach" for blood, and draws the analogy of the blood-red grape juice of the wine press as representing blood that is sprinkled on the garments of the one treading in the winepress. In the passage of Isaiah 63:1-7, it appears that Isaiah is writing prophetically of Christ and thus this would link up with Revelation 19:13 in describing the Rider of the White Horse:
"And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood (Haima): and his name is called The Word of God." (Rev. 19:13 KJV).

In the New Testament, the word "blood" appears 99 times. Once as Haimatekchusia (hahee-mat-ek-khoo-see-ah) Strong's Number 130, once by Haimorrheo (hahee-mar-hreh-o) Strong's Number 131, and 97 times by Haima (hah-ee-mah) Strong's Number 129. The principle use of Haima (blood of men or animals, equal with Hebrew "Dam") is to portray idea of the blood of men or animals and is thus used some 97 times in the New Testament.

Thus in Hebrews 9:22 "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."(KJV) the first mention of "blood" is Haima, the blood of men and animals, while the second use of "blood" is Haimatekchusia, the shedding of blood. Thus the distinction between "blood" and "shedding of blood" is made by two different Greek words and is the only time in the New Testament that Haimatekchusia (shedding of blood) is used.

Also, in Matthew 9:20 "And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment" (KJV) the Greek word "Haimorrheo" (to flow blood - diseased with an issue of blood) is used to indicate the flowing, and thereby diseased, issue of blood in the woman who touched Jesus as He was going to Jarius' house. From this Greek word comes our English word hemorrhage. This is the only time in the New Testament this word is used. All the other times the word "blood " is used in the New Testament (97 times) the word is Haima meaning the blood of men or animals.

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