Leviticus 22:21

And whosoever offereth a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD to accomplish [his] vow, or a freewill offering in beeves or sheep, it shall be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no blemish therein.

And whosoever {H376} offereth {H7126} a sacrifice {H2077} of peace offerings {H8002} unto the LORD {H3068} to accomplish {H6381} his vow {H5088}, or a freewill offering {H5071} in beeves {H1241} or sheep {H6629}, it shall be perfect {H8549} to be accepted {H7522}; there shall be no blemish {H3971} therein.

Whoever brings a sacrifice of peace offerings to ADONAI in fulfillment of a vow or as a voluntary offering, whether it come from the herd or from the flock, it must be unblemished and without defect in order to be accepted.

When a man presents a peace offering to the LORD from the herd or flock to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering, it must be without blemish or defect to be acceptable.

And whosoever offereth a sacrifice of peace-offerings unto Jehovah to accomplish a vow, or for a freewill-offering, of the herd or of the flock, it shall be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no blemish therein.

Commentary

Leviticus 22:21 outlines specific requirements for peace offerings, whether offered to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering. The verse emphasizes that any animal presented—from beeves (cattle) or sheep—must be absolutely "perfect" and without any "blemish" for it to be accepted by the LORD.

Context

This verse is situated within Leviticus 22, a chapter dedicated to the sanctity of the offerings and the priests who handle them. Following regulations concerning the priests' ritual purity, the text shifts focus to the animals themselves. The context underscores God's demand for holiness and perfection in all aspects of Israelite worship, particularly in the sacrificial system performed at the Tabernacle. Peace offerings, unlike sin or burnt offerings, were often voluntary and represented fellowship, thanksgiving, or the fulfillment of a solemn promise made to God. This specific instruction ensures that even voluntary acts of worship meet God's high standards.

Key Themes

  • Divine Standards of Perfection: The primary theme is God's unwavering demand for excellence and purity in worship. The requirement of an "unblemished" animal signifies that God is worthy of nothing less than the best, reflecting His own perfect nature. This theme is consistent throughout the Old Testament sacrificial laws, as seen in Leviticus 1:3 for burnt offerings.
  • Integrity in Worship: Whether a compelled vow or a freewill offering, the act of giving to God was not to be taken lightly. The quality of the sacrifice demonstrated the worshiper's reverence and sincerity towards God.
  • Symbolism and Foreshadowing: The insistence on a perfect, unblemished sacrifice profoundly foreshadows the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He was the spotless Lamb of God, offering Himself without blemish or defect, a theme powerfully developed in the New Testament (e.g., 1 Peter 1:19 and Hebrews 9:14).
  • Fulfilling Vows: The mention of "to accomplish his vow" highlights the importance of keeping promises made to God. These vows were sacred, and their fulfillment required an offering that met God's specific criteria (Ecclesiastes 5:4).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses the word "perfect" which comes from the Hebrew term tamiym (תָּמִים). This word carries a rich meaning of being "whole," "complete," "sound," or "without defect." It implies not just physical flawlessness but also integrity and blamelessness. The term "blemish" is from the Hebrew mum (מוּם), meaning a defect, spot, or disfigurement. The combination of these terms leaves no ambiguity: the animal had to be physically pristine and wholly sound in every aspect to be deemed acceptable for presentation to the holy God.

Practical Application

While the Old Testament sacrificial system is no longer practiced, having been fulfilled in Christ, the principles of Leviticus 22:21 remain highly relevant for believers today:

  • Offer Our Best to God: God still desires our "perfect" offering. This means offering Him our best in terms of time, talents, resources, and devotion, rather than giving Him our leftovers or what is flawed. Our worship, service, and daily lives should reflect a commitment to excellence for His glory.
  • Integrity in Our Commitments: Just as the Israelites were to fulfill their vows with a perfect offering, we are called to be people of integrity, honoring our commitments and promises, especially those made to God.
  • Appreciation for Christ's Sacrifice: This verse deepens our appreciation for Jesus Christ, who truly was the "perfect" and "unblemished" sacrifice. His offering was fully acceptable to God, providing complete atonement for our sins. Our acceptance by God is not based on the perfection of our own offerings, but on the perfect offering of Christ on the cross.
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Cross-References

  • Numbers 15:3 (5 votes)

    And will make an offering by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, or a sacrifice in performing a vow, or in a freewill offering, or in your solemn feasts, to make a sweet savour unto the LORD, of the herd, or of the flock:

  • Numbers 15:8 (5 votes)

    And when thou preparest a bullock [for] a burnt offering, or [for] a sacrifice in performing a vow, or peace offerings unto the LORD:

  • Leviticus 3:6 (4 votes)

    ¶ And if his offering for a sacrifice of peace offering unto the LORD [be] of the flock; male or female, he shall offer it without blemish.

  • Ecclesiastes 5:4 (3 votes)

    ¶ When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for [he hath] no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.

  • Ecclesiastes 5:5 (3 votes)

    Better [is it] that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

  • Deuteronomy 23:21 (3 votes)

    When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.

  • Deuteronomy 23:23 (3 votes)

    That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; [even] a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the LORD thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.