Leviticus 22:20

KJV

[But] whatsoever hath a blemish, [that] shall ye not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you.

KJV (with Strong's)

But whatsoever hath a blemish {H3971}, that shall ye not offer {H7126}: for it shall not be acceptable {H7522} for you.

Complete Jewish Bible

You are not to bring anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted from you.

Berean Standard Bible

You must not present anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf.

American Standard Version

But whatsoever hath a blemish, that shall ye not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 22:20 presents a stringent divine command within the Mosaic Law, prohibiting the offering of any animal with a physical defect or "blemish" for sacrifice to the Lord. This verse underscores God's absolute holiness and His demand for perfection in worship, declaring such an imperfect offering as utterly unacceptable. It highlights the profound reverence due to God and the meticulous standards required for approaching Him in the sacrificial system, emphasizing that only the unblemished could truly represent purity and wholeness in the sacred divine-human encounter.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 22:20 is situated within a broader section (Leviticus 21-22) that meticulously details the laws governing the holiness of priests and the purity of offerings. Chapter 21 focuses on the physical and ritual purity required of the priests themselves, who mediate between God and Israel. Chapter 22 then extends this emphasis on holiness to the sacrificial animals and the act of offering. Specifically, verses 17-25 enumerate various types of blemishes—such as blindness, broken bones, or skin diseases—that would disqualify an animal from being offered as a burnt offering, peace offering, or vow offering. This particular verse, Leviticus 22:20, serves as a concise summary statement, reinforcing the overarching principle that any animal with *any* blemish is strictly forbidden. The subsequent verses (e.g., [Leviticus 22:21](/leviticus/22-21 "Leviticus 22:21 - Unblemished for Vows")) reiterate this requirement for specific types of sacrifices, solidifying the non-negotiable nature of the command.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the sacrificial system was the primary means by which the people approached God, sought atonement, and expressed worship and thanksgiving. These rituals were performed at the Tabernacle, and later the Temple, by a specially consecrated priesthood. The meticulous rules surrounding sacrifices, including the requirement for unblemished animals, were not arbitrary but deeply significant. They communicated God's perfect holiness and His absolute transcendence. Unlike the pagan deities of surrounding nations, who were often depicted with human-like flaws or even demanding grotesque sacrifices, the God of Israel demanded purity and perfection as a reflection of His own character. An unblemished animal represented the very best, offered without reservation, symbolizing the worshiper's sincere devotion and the gravity of the divine encounter. This standard ensured that the Israelites understood the profound privilege and solemn responsibility of drawing near to a holy God, as emphasized throughout the book of [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus - The Book of Holiness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Blemish (Hebrew, מוּם _mum_):** This noun refers to a physical defect, flaw, spot, or imperfection. In the context of sacrificial animals, it denotes any bodily deformity, injury, or disease that would render the animal less than perfect. The consistent use of this term throughout Leviticus (e.g., [Leviticus 21:17](/leviticus/21-17 "Leviticus 21:17 - Priestly Blemishes"), [Leviticus 22:21](/leviticus/22-21 "Leviticus 22:21 - Unblemished Offerings")) underscores the strictness of God's demand for physical perfection in offerings, symbolizing spiritual wholeness and purity.
* **Offer (Hebrew, קָרַב _qarav_):** This verb means "to draw near," "to approach," or "to present." In the cultic context, it specifically refers to the act of bringing a sacrifice or offering to the altar before the Lord. The prohibition here is not merely against the animal itself, but against the *act* of presenting it. This highlights that the responsibility for the quality of the offering lay with the worshiper and the priest, who were to ensure that what was brought near to God was indeed worthy.
* **Acceptable (Hebrew, רָצוֹן _ratson_):** This noun signifies "favor," "delight," "acceptance," or "goodwill." When something is "acceptable" to God, it means it brings Him pleasure and receives His approval. Conversely, an offering that is "not acceptable" (as here) means it is rejected, brings no favor, and fails to achieve its purpose of propitiation or communion. This word emphasizes the divine perspective on the offering's suitability, not merely human effort.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But whatsoever hath a blemish":** This opening clause immediately establishes the subject of the prohibition: any animal, regardless of its type or intended purpose, that possesses any physical defect. The breadth of "whatsoever" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the command, leaving no room for exceptions based on the severity or type of blemish.
* **"[that] shall ye not offer":** This is the direct, imperative command. The Israelites are strictly forbidden from bringing such an imperfect animal near to the altar or presenting it as a sacrifice. The negative command "shall ye not" highlights the absolute nature of the prohibition, making it a non-negotiable aspect of their worship.
* **"for it shall not be acceptable for you.":** This concluding clause provides the divine rationale and consequence. The reason for the prohibition is that such an offering would not find favor or approval in God's sight. The phrase "for you" implies that the unacceptability extends beyond God's rejection to the worshiper themselves; an unacceptable offering would fail to achieve its intended purpose of atonement, fellowship, or thanksgiving for the one presenting it, rendering their act of worship futile.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 22:20 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Emphasis** is achieved through the direct and absolute prohibition, leaving no ambiguity about the unacceptability of blemished offerings. The verse functions as a **Summary Statement**, encapsulating the detailed regulations found in the surrounding verses (e.g., [Leviticus 22:21-24](/leviticus/22-21 "Leviticus 22:21-24 - Specific Blemishes Prohibited")) concerning various specific defects. **Symbolism** is paramount, as the physical perfection of the animal symbolizes the spiritual purity and wholeness required in approaching a holy God. The blemish, therefore, symbolizes imperfection, sin, and anything that defiles. There is also an implicit **Contrast** drawn between the perfect, holy nature of God and the imperfect, blemished offerings, underscoring that only that which reflects God's own perfection can be brought into His presence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 22:20 profoundly teaches about the nature of God and the appropriate manner of approaching Him. God's demand for unblemished offerings reflects His absolute holiness, perfection, and transcendence. He is not to be approached casually or with anything less than the very best, symbolizing a worshiper's complete reverence and devotion. This principle established a foundational understanding for Israel: true worship requires purity, integrity, and a recognition of God's supreme worth. The unblemished sacrifice was a tangible representation of the ideal, pointing to a standard of purity that sinful humanity could not achieve on its own.

* [Malachi 1:8](/malachi/1-8 "Malachi 1:8 - Despising God's Name")
* [Deuteronomy 15:21](/deuteronomy/15-21 "Deuteronomy 15:21 - Do Not Sacrifice Blemished Animals")
* [Exodus 12:5](/exodus/12-5 "Exodus 12:5 - The Passover Lamb Must Be Without Blemish")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the Old Testament sacrificial system has been fulfilled in Christ, the spiritual principles embedded in Leviticus 22:20 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. This verse calls us to consider the quality of our offerings to God in every aspect of our lives. It challenges us to reflect on whether we are giving God our "blemished" leftovers—our hurried time, our half-hearted efforts, our divided loyalties—or our "unblemished" best, offered with sincere devotion and a pure heart. True worship is not merely about external acts, but about the internal disposition of reverence and honor. It reminds us that God is worthy of our highest praise, our deepest commitment, and our most dedicated service, not as a means to earn His favor, but as a grateful response to His immeasurable grace and holiness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I tempted to offer God "blemished" efforts or time, rather than my best?**
* **How does the concept of God's demand for perfection in offerings shape my understanding of His holiness and my approach to worship today?**
* **What does it mean to offer myself as a "living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God," and how can I strive for greater purity and wholeness in my daily walk?**

### FAQ
**Why did God require unblemished animals for sacrifice?**

Answer: God required unblemished animals for sacrifice primarily to underscore His absolute holiness and perfection. A blemish symbolized imperfection, impurity, or sin. By demanding a perfect animal, God taught Israel that He is pure and cannot be approached with anything less than the best. It also served as a visual aid to communicate the seriousness of sin and the high cost of atonement, foreshadowing the ultimate, perfect sacrifice of Christ. This requirement distinguished the worship of Yahweh from pagan practices, where imperfect or even grotesque offerings were sometimes made. The principle was about honoring God with what was truly valuable and whole, reflecting the worshiper's reverence and the sacredness of the divine encounter, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 17:1](/deuteronomy/17-1 "Deuteronomy 17:1 - Do Not Sacrifice Blemished Animals").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 22:20 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The stringent requirement for an "unblemished" sacrifice in the Old Testament was not merely an arbitrary rule but a profound prophetic shadow pointing to the perfect Lamb of God. Jesus, in His sinless life and sacrificial death, perfectly embodied the unblemished offering. He was "without spot or blemish" (as described in [1 Peter 1:19](/1_peter/1-19 "1 Peter 1:19 - Redeemed by Precious Blood")), living a life entirely free from sin, making Him the only truly acceptable sacrifice capable of atoning for humanity's imperfections. His death on the cross was the one-time, perfect offering that permanently satisfied God's righteous demands, rendering all subsequent animal sacrifices obsolete ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Because of His flawless sacrifice, believers are now declared "acceptable" in God's sight, not based on their own flawed offerings, but through their union with Christ ([Ephesians 1:6](/ephesians/1-6 "Ephesians 1:6 - Accepted in the Beloved")). He is the fulfillment of every shadow, the perfect High Priest who offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice, allowing us to draw near to God with confidence ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 17:1

¶ 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 1:8

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.

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.

1 Peter 1:19

But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

Hebrews 9:14

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

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.

Malachi 1:13

Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness [is it]! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought [that which was] torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD.