John Calvin Commentary Deuteronomy 12:23

"Only be sure that thou eat not the blood: for the blood is the life; and thou shalt not eat the life with the flesh." — Deuteronomy 12:23 (ASV)

Only be ²¹sure that thou eat not. It is not without reason that he earnestly exhorts them to unwavering firmness, because it was both a matter seemingly insignificant, and its observance troublesome, while it was easy to stray from it because of the universal example of the Gentiles. For if they considered within themselves that it did not contribute to holiness that they should not touch blood, therefore a snare to indulgence might easily have arisen.

²¹ Lat., “Roberare.” Margin, ., “Roberare.” Margin, A. . V., “., “Heb., Be strong.”., Be strong.”