Leviticus 22:23

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Either a bullock or a lamb that hath any thing superfluous or lacking in his parts, that mayest thou offer [for] a freewill offering; but for a vow it shall not be accepted.

Complete Jewish Bible:

If a bull or lamb has a limb which is too long or short, you may offer it as a voluntary offering; but for a vow it will not be accepted.

Berean Standard Bible:

You may present as a freewill offering an ox or sheep that has a deformed or stunted limb, but it is not acceptable in fulfillment of a vow.

American Standard Version:

Either a bullock or a lamb that hath anything superfluous or lacking in his parts, that mayest thou offer for a freewill-offering; but for a vow it shall not be accepted.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Either a bullock^{H7794} or a lamb^{H7716} that hath any thing superfluous^{H8311} or lacking in his parts^{H7038}, that mayest thou offer^{H6213} for a freewill offering^{H5071}; but for a vow^{H5088} it shall not be accepted^{H7521}.

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Commentary for Leviticus 22:23

1. Themes of Leviticus 22:23:
- Ritual Purity and Perfection: The verse emphasizes the importance of physical perfection in sacrificial animals used for offerings to God. Animals with deformities or blemishes were considered unfit for offerings that were obligated by a vow, reflecting the need for sacrificial animals to be without defect as a symbol of the Israelites' reverence for God.
- Distinction Between Voluntary and Obligatory Offerings: The verse differentiates between voluntary (freewill) offerings and those made in fulfillment of a vow. The standards for what was acceptable were stricter for vowed offerings than for freewill offerings, highlighting the gravity of keeping one's word to God.
- Holiness and Worship: The broader context of Leviticus 22 is the holiness code for priests and the proper conduct of worship. This verse contributes to the theme of maintaining holiness in the sanctuary and ensuring that worship practices honor God's sanctity.

2. Historical Context:
- The book of Leviticus is part of the Pentateuch, traditionally ascribed to Moses, and is believed to have been written during the wilderness wandering period after the Exodus from Egypt (c. 1440-1400 BCE).
- Leviticus provides detailed laws and regulations for the religious and moral life of the Israelites, including instructions for priests (Levites) on how to conduct sacrifices and maintain the sanctity of the tabernacle (and later the Temple in Jerusalem).
- The laws outlined in Leviticus, including those concerning sacrifices, were integral to the covenant relationship between God and Israel, with the sacrificial system serving as the primary means of atonement and worship in the pre-exilic period of Israel's history.
- The specific regulations regarding sacrifices would have been relevant to the priests who were responsible for overseeing the sacrificial rituals and ensuring that the offerings presented to God met the prescribed standards.

In summary, Leviticus 22:23 addresses the requirement for physical perfection in sacrificial animals and makes a distinction between the types of offerings, reflecting the broader themes of ritual purity, holiness, and the proper conduct of worship in ancient Israelite society.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H7794
   There are 69 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שׁוֹר
   Transliteration: shôwr
   Pronunciation: shore
   Description: from שׁוּר; a bullock (as a traveller); bull(-ock), cow, ox, wall (by mistake for שׁוּר).
   
2. Strong's Number: H7716
   There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֶׂה
   Transliteration: seh
   Pronunciation: seh
   Description: or שֵׂי; probably from שָׁאָה through the idea of pushing out to graze; a member of a flock, i.e. a sheep or goat; (lesser, small) cattle, ewe, goat, lamb, sheep. Compare זֶה.
   
3. Strong's Number: H8311
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׂרַע
   Transliteration: sâraʻ
   Pronunciation: saw-rah'
   Description: a primitive root; to prolong, i.e. (reflex) be deformed by excess of members; stretch out self, (have any) superfluous thing.
   
4. Strong's Number: H7038
   There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קָלַט
   Transliteration: qâlaṭ
   Pronunciation: kaw-lat'
   Description: a primitive root; to maim; lacking in his parts.
   
5. Strong's Number: H6213
   There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשָׂה
   Transliteration: ʻâsâh
   Pronunciation: aw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
   
6. Strong's Number: H5071
   There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נְדָבָה
   Transliteration: nᵉdâbâh
   Pronunciation: ned-aw-baw'
   Description: from נָדַב; properly (abstractly) spontaneity, or (adjectively) spontaneous; also (concretely) a spontaneous or (by inference, in plural) abundant gift; free(-will) offering, freely, plentiful, voluntary(-ily, offering), willing(-ly), offering).
   
7. Strong's Number: H5088
   There are 57 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נֶדֶר
   Transliteration: neder
   Pronunciation: neh'-der
   Description: or נֵדֶר; from נָדַר; a promise (to God); also (concretely) a thing promised; vow(-ed).
   
8. Strong's Number: H7521
   There are 55 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָצָה
   Transliteration: râtsâh
   Pronunciation: raw-tsaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy adebt; (be) accept(-able), accomplish, set affection, approve, consent with, delight (self), enjoy, (be, have a) favour(-able), like, observe, pardon, (be, have, take) please(-ure), reconcile self.