Leviticus 22:20 kjv
But whatsoever hath a blemish, that shall ye not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you.
Leviticus 22:20 nkjv
Whatever has a defect, you shall not offer, for it shall not be acceptable on your behalf.
Leviticus 22:20 niv
Do not bring anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf.
Leviticus 22:20 esv
You shall not offer anything that has a blemish, for it will not be acceptable for you.
Leviticus 22:20 nlt
Do not present an animal with defects, because the LORD will not accept it on your behalf.
Leviticus 22 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lev 22:21 | And whoever offers a sacrifice of peace offerings... it shall be perfect. | Stipulates perfection for peace offerings. |
| Lev 22:22 | Blind or broken or mutilated, or having a discharge or scabs... | Lists specific types of unacceptable blemishes. |
| Lev 22:24 | You shall not offer to the Lord what is bruised or crushed or torn or cut. | Further defines unacceptable animal defects. |
| Deut 17:1 | You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep in which there is a blemish. | Reiterates the prohibition on blemished offerings. |
| Mal 1:8 | When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? | Prophetic rebuke for offering blemished sacrifices. |
| Mal 1:13-14 | You bring what has been stolen... and lame or sick animals. Should I accept this from your hand? | Condemns half-hearted, inferior offerings. |
| Lev 21:17-21 | Man who has any blemish, shall not approach to offer... | Priests also must be without physical blemishes. |
| Exod 12:5 | Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old... | Requirement for the Passover lamb. |
| Num 28:3 | A year-old male lamb without blemish... daily burnt offering. | Specifies unblemished daily offerings. |
| Lev 1:3 | If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he shall offer a male without blemish. | Sets the standard for burnt offerings. |
| Deut 15:21 | But if it has any blemish... you shall not sacrifice it to the LORD your God. | Repeats the prohibition for animal gifts. |
| Matt 5:48 | You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. | New Testament principle of spiritual perfection. |
| 1 Pet 1:18-19 | Redeemed... with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. | Christ as the perfect, unblemished sacrifice. |
| Heb 9:14 | How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish. | Christ's self-offering as flawless. |
| Rom 12:1 | Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. | Application to Christian life: presenting oneself wholeheartedly. |
| Phil 4:18 | I have received full payment, and more... a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. | God's acceptance of spiritual "offerings." |
| Eph 5:2 | Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. | Christ's sacrificial love, the perfect standard. |
| 2 Cor 5:21 | For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin... | Christ's sinless perfection enables our reconciliation. |
| Isa 1:11-14 | "What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices?"... | God rejects offerings when the heart is rebellious. |
| Psa 51:16-17 | For you will not delight in sacrifice... The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. | Spiritual sacrifice valued above ritual form. |
Leviticus 22 verses
Leviticus 22 20 Meaning
Leviticus 22:20 directly prohibits the offering of any animal with a blemish for sacrifice. Such an offering would not be considered acceptable or pleasing to God on behalf of the individual presenting it. This verse underscores God's demand for perfection and wholeness in the sacrificial system, reflecting His own perfect and holy nature and the complete devotion expected from the worshipper.
Leviticus 22 20 Context
Leviticus chapter 22 meticulously outlines the regulations governing the priests and the sacrifices they offer and handle. This chapter emphasizes the extreme holiness required of those who minister before God and the purity expected in all offerings presented to Him. The immediate context, starting from verse 17, begins to specify what constitutes an "acceptable" sacrifice. Verse 20 directly addresses the critical flaw of a "blemish" as an absolute disqualifier. The larger purpose of these laws is to instill a profound sense of God's perfect holiness, illustrating that only the best and unblemished are fit for presentation to Him. These laws set apart Israel's worship from pagan practices, where defective animals might be used or sacrifices were viewed more superstitiously than as acts of devotion to a holy God.
Leviticus 22 20 Word analysis
- But whatever has a blemish (אַךְ־כֹּ֤ל אֲשֶׁר־בּוֹ֙ מ֖וּם, ak-kol asher-bo mum):
- whatever (כֹּל, kol): Denotes comprehensiveness, emphasizing that this rule applies to all types of sacrifices listed in this section, regardless of the animal. It leaves no room for exception.
- has a blemish (בּוֹ֙ מ֖וּם, bo mum):
- מוּם (mum): This is a key Hebrew term here, meaning a defect, physical fault, spot, or flaw. It signifies any physical imperfection, such as blindness, lameness, broken limbs, scabs, or other physical disfigurements, as further elaborated in the verses immediately following (Lev 22:21-24). The root suggests a sense of internal defect or taint. Its significance lies in that the offering must represent the worshipper's complete devotion and God's perfect character; anything less implies disrespect or a devalued perception of the Holy God.
- you shall not offer (לֹ֥א תַקְרִ֖יבוּ, lo takrivu):
- לֹא (lo): A strong negation, absolutely forbidding the action. It's a clear divine command, not a suggestion.
- תַקְרִ֙יבֽוּ (takrivu): From the verb קָרַב (qarab), meaning "to draw near," "to bring," or "to present an offering." It highlights the direct act of approaching God with something designated for Him. This signifies the active role of the worshipper in the sacred exchange.
- for it will not be accepted on your behalf (כִּ֧י לֹֽא־לָכֶ֛ם לְרָצ֖וֹן יִֽהְיֶֽה, ki lo lakhem leratzon yihyeh):
- for (כִּ֤י, ki): Introduces the reason or consequence of the prohibition.
- it will not be accepted (לֹֽא־...לְרָצ֖וֹן יִֽהְיֶֽה, lo...leratzon yihyeh):
- לֹא (lo): Again, strong negation, emphasizing divine rejection.
- לְרָצ֖וֹן (leratzon): Meaning "for acceptance," "for favor," or "to be pleasing/agreeable." This indicates God's favorable disposition toward the offering. An unblemished sacrifice pleased God, signifying the worshipper's sincerity and reverence. The blemished offering is categorically declared as displeasing to Him.
- on your behalf (לָכֶ֛ם, lakhem): Literally "to you" or "for you." This makes the consequences personal to the offerer. The non-acceptance affects the worshipper directly, meaning their act of worship and the benefits (e.g., atonement, fellowship) that flow from an acceptable sacrifice are nullified. It implies the offering is for the offerer's benefit or atonement, emphasizing the individual responsibility and consequence.
Leviticus 22 20 Bonus section
The repeated emphasis on the "unblemished" or "perfect" offering across the Pentateuch highlights a consistent theological principle foundational to the Law. The physical perfection required in the Old Covenant pointed to the spiritual perfection ultimately fulfilled in Christ. Furthermore, the consequence "it will not be accepted on your behalf" reinforces the concept of imputed righteousness and the transactional nature of sin and atonement in the Old Testament system; a flawed offering broke the integrity of that transaction, leaving the offerer still defiled or without atonement. This prepares the worshiper to recognize that humanity's inherent blemishes (sin) necessitate a divine and perfect provision for true acceptance before God, which could only come through Christ.
Leviticus 22 20 Commentary
Leviticus 22:20 serves as a bedrock principle for Israelite sacrificial worship: God demands perfection in offerings. This rule is not arbitrary; it's profoundly theological. First, it reflects God's own perfect holiness and majesty, emphasizing that nothing less than the best is suitable for Him. Second, it educates the worshipper on the gravity and purity required when approaching the divine presence. A blemished animal symbolizes impurity, incompleteness, or insincerity, contrasting sharply with the wholeness and complete devotion expected. To offer a defective animal was seen as disrespecting God, valuing His worship less than one's own convenience or material gain, as later condemned by the prophet Malachi. Ultimately, this rigid requirement foreshadows the unique and unblemished perfection of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who offered Himself as the spotless Lamb, the only truly perfect sacrifice capable of fully satisfying God's righteous demands and procuring true atonement for humanity. Our current 'sacrifices' should similarly be of our best: our worship, service, and very lives, offered without blemish of insincerity or half-heartedness, as a response to Christ's perfect offering.Examples:
- Work ethic: Christians are called to perform work as unto the Lord (Col 3:23), striving for excellence rather than giving "blemished" or half-hearted effort in their callings.
- Generosity: Offering to God our first fruits and best, not leftovers or what is inconvenient (Prov 3:9), demonstrating His priority in our finances and lives.
- Spiritual discipline: Approaching prayer, Bible study, and corporate worship with genuine focus and preparation, not as mere routine or a reluctant duty, ensuring our spiritual "offerings" are from a sincere heart.