15:19 “Therefore I conclude that we should not cause extra difficulty for those among the Gentiles who are turning to God, 15:20 but that we should write them a letter telling them to(1) abstain from things defiled by idols and (2) from sexual immorality and (3) from what has been strangled and (4) from blood. 15:21 For Moses has had those who (5) proclaim him in every town from ancient times, because he is read aloud in the synagogues every Sabbath.”</blockquote>
Apparently setting down four (or five) prohibitions # abstain from things defiled by idols and# from sexual immorality and# from what has been strangled and# from blood.# 15:21 For Moses has had those who proclaim him in every town from ancient times, because he is read aloud in the synagogues every Sabbath.”</blockquote>
These four (or five) prohibitions are variously interpreted. The prohibition against "things strangled", apparently refers to animals which had been improperly slaughtered according to Jewish law, i.e., without the draining of blood. Some, accordingly, take the prohibition against "blood" as a reference to murder. The two, eating blood and murder, are closely associated in Genesis 9:3-6, in commands given to Noah and his descendents.
Compare Jubilees 7:28, which also combines the two as part of the Noachite covenant. Leviticus 17:10-18:30 was also an important text. There the immoral "ways of the nations", particularly eating blood and sexual immorality, are forbidden to the "stranger who resides among you" (the ger toshav) as well as the Israelite.
