Leviticus 22:27

KJV

When a bullock, or a sheep, or a goat, is brought forth, then it shall be seven days under the dam; and from the eighth day and thenceforth it shall be accepted for an offering made by fire unto the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

When a bullock {H7794}, or a sheep {H3775}, or a goat {H5795}, is brought forth {H3205}, then it shall be seven {H7651} days {H3117} under the dam {H517}; and from the eighth {H8066} day {H3117} and thenceforth {H1973} it shall be accepted {H7521} for an offering {H7133} made by fire {H801} unto the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"When a bull, sheep or goat is born, it is to stay with its mother for seven days; but from the eighth day on, it may be accepted for an offering made by fire to ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

“When an ox, a sheep, or a goat is born, it must remain with its mother for seven days. From the eighth day on, it will be acceptable as an offering made by fire to the LORD.

American Standard Version

When a bullock, or a sheep, or a goat, is brought forth, then it shall be seven days under the dam; and from the eighth day and thenceforth it shall be accepted for the oblation of an offering made by fire unto Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 22:27 articulates a foundational divine statute regarding the age of animals permissible for sacrificial offerings. It mandates that any bullock, sheep, or goat intended for sacrifice must remain with its mother for a minimum of seven days following its birth. Only from the eighth day onward does the animal become ritually and physically acceptable to be presented as a fire offering to the LORD. This regulation underscores God's meticulous standards for worship, emphasizing the animal's vitality, maturity, and consecrated readiness, while also symbolically pointing to principles of new life and divine acceptance in approaching the Holy One.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within a larger legal corpus in Leviticus (chapters 21-22) that meticulously defines the requirements for priestly holiness and the purity of sacrificial offerings. Following detailed instructions concerning the physical integrity and ritual conduct of priests in [Leviticus 21](/leviticus/21 "Leviticus 21 - Laws for Priests"), chapter 22 shifts its focus to the offerings themselves. Verses 1-16 delineate who among the priests and their households may partake of the holy offerings, stressing the absolute necessity of ritual purity. Subsequently, verses 17-25 outline the stringent physical perfection required of animals presented for sacrifice, explicitly prohibiting any blemished or defective specimens. Leviticus 22:27, therefore, extends this principle of perfection to encompass the animal's age, ensuring it has surpassed its most vulnerable neonatal stage and possesses sufficient robustness to constitute a worthy offering. It immediately precedes the prohibition against slaughtering an animal and its young on the same day in [Leviticus 22:28](/leviticus/22-28 "Leviticus 22:28 - Do Not Slaughter an Animal and Its Young on the Same Day"), further highlighting God's profound concern for the welfare and natural developmental processes of the sacrificial animals.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The elaborate sacrificial system, as prescribed in the [Mosaic Law](/exodus/20 "Exodus 20 - The Ten Commandments and Covenant Law"), formed the indispensable core of ancient Israelite worship. It served as the primary means for the people of God to approach Him, seek atonement for sin, express profound gratitude, and enter into covenantal communion. These intricate regulations were far from arbitrary; they were profoundly rooted in Israel's theological understanding of God's absolute holiness, His transcendence, and humanity's inherent sinfulness. The requirement for animals to be "seven days under the dam" was a practical measure to ensure the animal's health and viability, confirming its survival beyond the most fragile neonatal period. This practice also implicitly respected the natural bond between mother and offspring, preventing the offering of a helpless or sickly newborn. The "eighth day" carried immense symbolic weight in ancient Israelite culture and biblical numerology. The number seven frequently symbolized completion, perfection, or divine rest, famously seen in the [creation week](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account") and the Sabbath. Consequently, the eighth day often signified a new beginning, resurrection, or a fresh start, transcending the previous cycle. This profound symbolism is exemplified by the command for [circumcision on the eighth day](/genesis/17-12 "Genesis 17:12 - Circumcision on the Eighth Day"), which marked a male's entry into the Abrahamic covenant and a new spiritual identity. Thus, an animal offered on the eighth day was not merely physically mature but also symbolically consecrated for a new, sacred purpose, distinct from its natural existence.

* **Key Themes:** Leviticus 22:27 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost among these is the theme of **Holiness**, emphasizing God's intrinsic purity and His demand for a holy people and holy worship. The meticulous regulations for offerings, including the age requirement, underscore that God cannot be approached casually or with anything less than His prescribed perfection. This verse also highlights the theme of **Acceptability**, revealing the precise conditions under which an offering becomes pleasing and acceptable to the LORD, linking directly to the concept of divine favor. Furthermore, the "seven days" and "eighth day" motif introduces the theme of **New Creation and New Beginnings**, suggesting that what is offered to God must be robust, complete, and symbolically set apart for a new, sacred purpose. This echoes the broader biblical narrative of God continually initiating new phases of His redemptive plan, from the [new creation](/genesis/1-1 "Genesis 1:1 - In the Beginning") after the flood to the promise of a [new heavens and new earth](/isaiah/65-17 "Isaiah 65:17 - New Heavens and New Earth"). Finally, the passage subtly touches upon the theme of **Respect for Life**, ensuring the well-being of the animal before its sacrificial purpose, aligning with other laws that protect animal welfare within the Mosaic covenant.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **seven (Hebrew, _shebaʻ'_):** From H7651. This cardinal number denotes a complete week (seven days). In biblical contexts, the number seven frequently symbolizes completeness, perfection, divine order, and covenantal fulfillment. In this verse, it signifies the full maturation of the initial, vulnerable stage of the animal's life, ensuring its health and viability before being considered for sacred use.
* **eighth (Hebrew, _shᵉmîynîy'_):** From H8066. Following the completion of the seven-day cycle, the eighth day marks a new beginning, a transition beyond the previous cycle. This numerical progression often carries profound symbolic weight in scripture, representing new life, resurrection, or a new covenantal status, as seen in circumcision on the eighth day. For the animal, it signifies a transition from natural dependence to a state of consecrated readiness for sacred use.
* **accepted (Hebrew, _râtsâh'_):** From H7521. This verb means "to be pleased with," "to be favorable," or "to accept." It highlights that the offering's acceptability is not merely a matter of fulfilling a legalistic rule but of gaining divine favor and pleasure. Only offerings that meticulously meet God's precise standards and are presented in the prescribed manner would be truly pleasing and find favor in His sight.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When a bullock, or a sheep, or a goat, is brought forth":** This opening clause precisely identifies the specific categories of domestic animals that fall under this sacrificial regulation. These three types represent the primary animals used for various offerings—burnt offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings—in the Israelite cultic system, establishing the scope of the divine mandate.
* **"then it shall be seven days under the dam":** This phrase establishes the mandatory initial period of maternal care and development. The young animal is required to remain with its mother for a full week, ensuring it receives vital nourishment and protection, and has sufficient time to develop strength and viability beyond its immediate birth. This period acknowledges and respects the natural bond and developmental process crucial for the animal's health.
* **"and from the eighth day and thenceforth it shall be accepted for an offering made by fire unto the LORD":** This crucial declaration specifies the earliest point at which the animal becomes ritually pure and physically mature enough to be offered. The transition to the "eighth day" signifies a new status of readiness and consecration, making it pleasing and suitable for a burnt offering (an _ishshâh_, a sacrifice consumed entirely by fire on the altar) to Yahweh. The phrase "and thenceforth" (H1973, _hâlᵉʼâh_) indicates that animals older than eight days were also acceptable, provided they met all other purity and perfection requirements outlined elsewhere in the Law.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 22:27 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its precise divine instruction. **Precision** in legal language is paramount, with the explicit enumeration of "bullock, or a sheep, or a goat" leaving no ambiguity regarding the specific animals subject to the regulation. The numerical requirements of "seven days" and "eighth day" introduce profound **Symbolism**, where these numbers transcend mere temporal measurement. Seven, a recurring motif in biblical thought, typically signifies completion, perfection, and divine order, while eight frequently denotes new beginnings, resurrection, or transcendence. This numerical progression from a completed cycle to a new, consecrated start imbues the animal's readiness with deep theological significance, suggesting a transition into a sacred status. The phrase "it shall be accepted for an offering" utilizes **Legal Language** to denote divine approval, emphasizing that God's pleasure is contingent upon strict adherence to His specific, non-negotiable standards. Furthermore, the inclusion of "and thenceforth" functions as a form of **Merism**, implicitly covering all acceptable ages beyond the initial seven-day period by specifying the minimum age, thus encompassing the full range of permissible offerings.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 22:27 profoundly underscores God's absolute holiness and His unyielding demand for perfection in worship. The meticulous nature of this law reveals that approaching the Creator is not a casual endeavor but requires adherence to His precise, divinely ordained standards. This regulation ensures that the offering is not only physically sound but also symbolically mature and consecrated, reflecting a foundational principle that God desires our very best—not something weak, incomplete, or hastily offered. The "eighth day" motif further connects to profound theological themes of new creation, resurrection, and covenantal renewal, suggesting that what is offered to God must transcend its natural state and enter a realm of sacred newness and wholeness. It is a testament to God's character that He establishes such specific criteria for His worship, demonstrating His worthiness of the highest honor and the most perfect devotion.

* [Exodus 23:19](/exodus/23-19 "Exodus 23:19 - Do Not Boil a Kid in Its Mother's Milk")
* [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Present Your Bodies as a Living Sacrifice")
* [Malachi 1:8](/malachi/1-8 "Malachi 1:8 - Offering Blemished Sacrifices")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 22:27, though rooted in the ancient Israelite sacrificial system, offers enduring and profound principles for contemporary believers. It challenges us to deeply consider the quality and intentionality of our "offerings" to God—not merely in terms of material possessions, but in the dedication of our time, talents, spiritual gifts, and the very essence of our lives. Just as God required an animal that had passed its initial vulnerability and entered a state of robust maturity, He desires our worship, service, and devotion to be mature, intentional, and wholehearted. This implies cultivating spiritual readiness, ensuring that our expressions of praise, acts of service, and commitment to discipleship are not given haphazardly or out of spiritual infancy, but from a place of genuine growth, consecrated purpose, and a desire to honor Him with our best. We are called to present our "best" to God, not what is convenient, leftover, or half-hearted, reflecting a deep reverence for His holiness and an earnest desire for His acceptance and pleasure in our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I offering God less than my "eighth day" best, perhaps out of immaturity, complacency, or a lack of intentionality?**
* **How does the principle of spiritual readiness, implied by the "eight days," apply to my current spiritual walk, my service in the church, and my engagement with the world?**
* **What does it truly mean for me to offer a "living sacrifice" that is "holy and pleasing to God" ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Present Your Bodies as a Living Sacrifice")) in light of the meticulous standards of Leviticus 22:27?**

### FAQ
**Why did the animal have to be at least eight days old?**

Answer: The requirement for an animal to be at least eight days old served multiple purposes. Practically, it ensured the animal's viability and health; a newborn is most vulnerable in its first few days, and surviving seven days indicated it was robust and healthy, making it a more fitting and perfect offering to God. Symbolically, the "eighth day" carries profound weight in biblical thought, often signifying a new beginning, new creation, or resurrection, aligning the offering with a state of consecrated newness and readiness for sacred purpose. This principle is also powerfully seen in the command for [circumcision on the eighth day](/genesis/17-12 "Genesis 17:12 - Circumcision on the Eighth Day"), marking a covenantal new beginning and entry into God's promises.

**Does this verse mean God doesn't care about newborn animals?**

Answer: On the contrary, this verse, along with other laws in Leviticus, demonstrates God's profound concern for the welfare of His creation, including animals. The explicit requirement for the animal to remain with its dam for seven days ensures it receives vital maternal care, nourishment, and protection during its most fragile stage. This prevents the offering of a helpless, sickly, or prematurely separated newborn, reflecting a measure of respect for life and the natural order established by God. This concern is further evidenced by the prohibition against slaughtering an animal and its young on the same day in [Leviticus 22:28](/leviticus/22-28 "Leviticus 22:28 - Do Not Slaughter an Animal and Its Young on the Same Day"). God desires offerings that are whole, complete, and presented with integrity, not those that would cause undue hardship or disrespect to His creation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 22:27, with its precise regulations for acceptable sacrifices, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The requirement for an animal to be at least eight days old, symbolizing its vitality, completeness, and a new beginning, powerfully foreshadows the flawless nature of Christ's sacrifice. He is presented in scripture as the perfect [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") who was "without blemish or defect" ([1 Peter 1:19](/1_peter/1-19 "1 Peter 1:19 - Christ, the Lamb Without Blemish")), not merely in physical terms but morally and spiritually perfect from His conception. His resurrection on the "first day of the week"—which can be understood as the ultimate "eighth day" following the completion of the creation week and the Sabbath rest—inaugurated a new creation and a new covenant, making His sacrifice eternally "accepted" by God ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Unlike the temporary and imperfect animal sacrifices of the Old Testament, Christ's singular offering was once for all, establishing a permanent and sufficient means of atonement and direct access to God. He is the true and living sacrifice, perfectly pleasing to the Father, through whom we are now empowered to offer our spiritual sacrifices of praise and good deeds ([Hebrews 13:15-16](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15-16 - Sacrifices of Praise and Good Deeds")).

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

Exodus 22:30

Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen, [and] with thy sheep: seven days it shall be with his dam; on the eighth day thou shalt give it me.

Leviticus 12:2

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean.

Leviticus 12:3

And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.

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.

Leviticus 19:23

And when ye shall come into the land, and shall have planted all manner of trees for food, then ye shall count the fruit thereof as uncircumcised: three years shall it be as uncircumcised unto you: it shall not be eaten of.

Leviticus 19:24

But in the fourth year all the fruit thereof shall be holy to praise the LORD [withal].