Deuteronomy 15:21

And if there be [any] blemish therein, [as if it be] lame, or blind, [or have] any ill blemish, thou shalt not sacrifice it unto the LORD thy God.

And if there be any blemish {H3971} therein, as if it be lame {H6455}, or blind {H5787}, or have any ill {H7451} blemish {H3971}, thou shalt not sacrifice {H2076} it unto the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}.

But if it has a defect, is lame or blind, or has some other kind of fault, you are not to sacrifice it to ADONAI your God;

But if an animal has a defect, is lame or blind, or has any serious flaw, you must not sacrifice it to the LORD your God.

And if it have any blemish, as if it be lame or blind, any ill blemish whatsoever, thou shalt not sacrifice it unto Jehovah thy God.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 15:21 emphasizes the importance of offering only perfect sacrifices to the LORD. This verse states that any animal intended for sacrifice, particularly those designated as firstborn, must be free from physical defects such as lameness, blindness, or any other significant blemish. Such imperfect animals were explicitly forbidden for worship.

Context

This command is part of a larger section in the Book of Deuteronomy detailing the laws and regulations for the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. Specifically, it follows immediately after instructions regarding the consecration of firstborn animals to the LORD (Deuteronomy 15:19-20). The Mosaic Law frequently stipulated that sacrifices offered to God had to be without blemish, symbolizing God's absolute perfection and the purity required in worship. This law ensured that the Israelites presented their very best to the Creator, reflecting a heart of reverence and honor.

Key Themes

  • God's Holiness and Perfection: The core message is that God is holy and demands only the best and most perfect offerings. Blemished sacrifices were an affront to His character. This theme is consistent throughout the Old Testament, where God's nature is continually presented as flawless and supreme.
  • Integrity in Worship: The quality of the sacrifice reflected the worshiper's attitude. Offering a blemished animal was seen as a sign of disrespect or indifference, implying that God was not worthy of a perfect gift. This underscores the importance of giving our all in worship, not just what is convenient or leftover.
  • Symbolic Purity: Physical purity in the animal represented spiritual purity and wholeness. The act of sacrifice was a sacred covenant act, and any imperfection would mar the symbolism of atonement or thanksgiving.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "blemish" is mum (ΧžΧ•ΦΌΧ), which refers to a physical defect or imperfection. The repeated emphasis on "any ill blemish" (or "evil blemish" in some translations) highlights that no defect, regardless of its nature or severity, was acceptable. This term encompasses a wide range of physical imperfections that would render an animal unfit for the altar, reinforcing the strict standard of perfection God required for His offerings.

Cross-References & Internal Links

  • Similar prohibitions against blemished sacrifices are found throughout the Pentateuch, for example, in Leviticus 22:21-24.
  • The prophet Malachi later condemned the people for offering blind, lame, and sick animals, showing a disregard for God's holiness (Malachi 1:8, 1:14).
  • This Old Testament principle foreshadows the ultimate, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who was the "Lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:19). His sacrifice was perfect and complete, unlike the repeated and imperfect animal sacrifices (Hebrews 9:14).

Practical Application

While we no longer offer animal sacrifices, the principle of Deuteronomy 15:21 remains highly relevant. It calls us to offer our very best to God in every aspect of our lives. This means:

  • Giving Our Best: Whether it's our time, talents, resources, or worship, God deserves our highest quality, not our leftovers or what is convenient.
  • Integrity in Service: Our service to God should be done with sincerity and excellence, free from "blemishes" of hypocrisy, half-heartedness, or ulterior motives.
  • Spiritual Purity: The call for unblemished sacrifices also reminds us of the importance of pursuing personal holiness and spiritual purity, striving to live lives pleasing to God, as a "living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God" (Romans 12:1).
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 17:1

    ΒΆ Thou shalt not sacrifice unto the LORD thy God [any] bullock, or sheep, wherein is blemish, [or] any evilfavouredness: for that [is] an abomination unto the LORD thy God.

  • Malachi 1:7

    Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD [is] contemptible.

  • Malachi 1:8

    And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, [is it] not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, [is it] not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.

  • Leviticus 22:19

    [Ye shall offer] at your own will a male without blemish, of the beeves, of the sheep, or of the goats.

  • Leviticus 22:25

    Neither from a stranger's hand shall ye offer the bread of your God of any of these; because their corruption [is] in them, [and] blemishes [be] in them: they shall not be accepted for you.
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