Charles Ellicott Commentary Leviticus 17:14

"For as to the life of all flesh, the blood thereof is [all one] with 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." — Leviticus 17:14 (ASV)

For it is the life of all flesh ... — A better rendering is, for the soul of all flesh is its blood, in, or through, its soul. This means that the sacredness of the blood arises from the fact that it contains the vital principle of all animal life.

Alternatively, this clause may be rendered, for the life of all flesh is its blood in, or during, its life. This means that the life of all creatures consists in its blood, but only as long as the blood contains this life. For when it is dried up or coagulated, the life has passed away from it.

For the life of all flesh. — A better rendering is, for the soul of all flesh . This means that the blood constitutes the vital principle even for those wild animals which, unlike the sacrificial quadrupeds, must not be offered upon the altar.