It is here implied that some might eat the flesh of an animal that dies of itself. The law strictly forbade the use by anyone of “any flesh that is torn of beasts in the field” (Ex. 22:31). The priests were to eat nothing that “dieth of itself, or is torn with beasts” (Lev. 22:8). Nevertheless, there might be cases where it was eaten, perhaps unknowingly or from economic necessity. As eating it was a matter of ceremonial defilement, provision was made for ceremonial cleansing.

The prohibition against eating that which was torn of beasts or died of itself was doubtless based on the fact that in such cases the blood would largely remain in the carcass and not be drained out.