Leviticus 22 21

Leviticus 22:21 kjv

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.

Leviticus 22:21 nkjv

And whoever offers a sacrifice of a peace offering to the LORD, to fulfill his vow, or a freewill offering from the cattle or the sheep, it must be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no defect in it.

Leviticus 22:21 niv

When anyone brings from the herd or flock a fellowship offering to the LORD to fulfill a special vow or as a freewill offering, it must be without defect or blemish to be acceptable.

Leviticus 22:21 esv

And when anyone offers a sacrifice of peace offerings to the LORD to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering from the herd or from the flock, to be accepted it must be perfect; there shall be no blemish in it.

Leviticus 22:21 nlt

"If you present a peace offering to the LORD from the herd or the flock, whether it is to fulfill a vow or is a voluntary offering, you must offer a perfect animal. It may have no defect of any kind.

Leviticus 22 verses

Leviticus 22 21 Meaning

Leviticus 22:21 dictates that any individual bringing a peace offering to the Lord, whether to fulfill a solemn vow or as a voluntary freewill gift, must ensure the animal selected from either their cattle or flock is completely flawless and without any physical defect. This strict requirement is essential for the offering to be truly accepted and favorably received by God.

Leviticus 22 21 Context

Leviticus chapter 22 falls within a broader section of the Pentateuch that meticulously details the laws governing holiness, specifically for the priests and sacred offerings in ancient Israel. This chapter immediately follows regulations concerning the priests' purity and eligibility for service (Ch 21), emphasizing that their personal holiness impacts their ability to approach God.

Leviticus 22:21 focuses on the requirements for sacrificial animals brought by any Israelite. The instructions delineate two specific motivations for peace offerings: fulfilling a "vow" (neder), a binding promise made to God, and a "freewill offering" (n'davah), a spontaneous expression of gratitude or devotion. Regardless of the motivation, the same strict standard applies: the animal must be "perfect" and "without blemish." This reflects the profound holiness of God and His demand for the absolute best, symbolizing complete devotion and respect from the worshiper. The meticulous detail in this chapter underscores the high standard God established for interacting with Him, setting Israel apart from pagan nations whose worship often involved imperfect or diseased offerings.

Leviticus 22 21 Word analysis

• whoever offers (וְאִישׁ כִּי-יַקְרִיב, v'ish ki-yakriv): Literally, "and a man when he draws near" or "offers." This highlights the individual's direct act of worship and personal responsibility in the offering process. It's a personal presentation to God.
• sacrifice of peace offerings (זֶבַח שְׁלָמִים, zevach sh'lamim):
  • Zevach denotes a slaughtered animal for sacrifice.
  • Sh'lamim comes from the root shalom (peace, wholeness, well-being, completion). Peace offerings could be for thanksgiving, for a vow, or simply as a freewill offering, and notably included a communal meal between the offerer, priest, and God, signifying fellowship and restoration of harmonious relationship.
• to the Lord (לַיהוָה, laYHWH): Emphasizes the divine recipient and validates the purpose of the offering. It's not for personal gain but for God's glory and acceptance. This specific name (YHWH) highlights God's covenantal relationship with Israel.
• to fulfill a vow (לְפַלֵּא-נֶדֶר, l'falleh-neder):
  • Neder is a solemn, binding promise made to God, usually involving a sacrifice or abstinence. The fulfilling (l'falleh, related to "perform" or "distinguish") of it made the vow sacred and required careful attention. Breaking a vow was considered a serious offense.
• or as a freewill offering (אוֹ לִנְדָבָה, o lindavah): N'davah signifies a spontaneous, voluntary offering given out of a willing heart, rather than obligation or necessity. It demonstrates sincere devotion and gratitude without being prompted by a prior commitment.
• from the herd or the flock (מִבָּקָר אוֹ מִצֹּאן, mibbaqar o mizzon): Specifies the acceptable animal sources – cattle (ox, bull, cow) or small livestock (sheep, goat). This restriction underlines that not just any animal could be offered, but only those divinely sanctioned.
• it must be perfect (תָּמִים יִהְיֶה, tamim yihyeh):
  • Tamim means whole, complete, sound, unblemished, perfect, morally upright. It's a comprehensive term denoting physical flawlessness as well as, symbolically, integrity of intent. This quality was non-negotiable for acceptance.
• to be accepted (לְרָצוֹן, l'ratzon): Means "for acceptance," "for favor," or "to be well-pleasing." This phrase defines the goal of the offering – to find favor in God's eyes. Without perfection, divine favor or acceptance would not be granted.
• there shall be no blemish in it (כָּל-מוּם לֹא יִהְיֶה בּוֹ, kol-mum lo yihyeh bo):
  • Mum refers to any physical defect or disqualifying flaw, such as blindness, lameness, broken bones, or disease. This reiterates and explicitly defines what tamim means in practical terms, ensuring the standard of flawlessness.
• Words-group analysis:
  • "peace offerings to the Lord, to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering": This grouping highlights that while the motivation for the peace offering might vary—either compelled by a prior commitment or freely given out of devotion—the required standard for the sacrifice's quality remains identically stringent. God values both heartfelt spontaneity and faithful obedience, yet neither excuses an imperfect offering.
  • "it must be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no blemish in it": This phrase strongly emphasizes the crucial link between the animal's physical perfection and God's acceptance. The repetition serves as an emphatic affirmation that flawlessness is not just a preference but an absolute prerequisite. The tamim (perfect) and mum (blemish) reinforce each other, leaving no room for ambiguity concerning the required quality. This reflects God's unblemished holiness, which cannot tolerate anything less than perfection in what approaches Him.

Leviticus 22 21 Bonus section

The Hebrew word tamim (perfect, unblemished) carries significant theological weight beyond physical flawlessness. It is also used to describe moral integrity and blamelessness in people, such as Noah (Gen 6:9) and Job (Job 1:1). This indicates that the demand for physical perfection in the sacrifice pointed towards God's desire for spiritual wholeness and a complete, unwavering heart from the worshiper. The intricate regulations governing animal blemishes throughout Leviticus (22:22-25) highlighted God's meticulous nature and His strict intolerance for anything defiled in His presence. Furthermore, the severity of the punishment for a priest who allows himself or others to eat from sacred offerings while defiled (Lev 22:3) reinforced the life-or-death seriousness with which these purity laws were to be observed. This constant emphasis taught Israel that only the purest and best was fitting for their holy God, and such an offering served as a crucial lesson in reverence and wholehearted devotion.

Leviticus 22 21 Commentary

Leviticus 22:21 is a pivotal verse establishing God's uncompromising standard for sacrificial worship. The requirement for a "perfect" and "unblemished" animal for peace offerings, whether for a vow or freewill, underscores the sacredness of approaching a Holy God. This was not a arbitrary rule but a profound theological principle: worship offered to a perfect God must be perfect.

The physical integrity of the animal symbolized the spiritual integrity required of the offerer. An blemished sacrifice indicated disrespect for God's holiness or a lack of serious commitment. Malachi 1:8-14 later condemned Israel for neglecting this very command, demonstrating the spiritual significance of the outward physical requirement. Such defective offerings were not only rejected but incurred divine displeasure.

These exacting demands also prefigured the ultimate sacrifice. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is revealed as the "lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Pet 1:19), the ultimate fulfillment of these Old Testament types. His offering was "without blemish" (Heb 9:14), making possible true reconciliation and fellowship with God, a perfect Peace Offering once for all. Believers are now called to offer their "bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God" (Rom 12:1), an ongoing act of spiritual worship that, though imperfect in execution, strives for sincere dedication mirroring the perfection of Christ's sacrifice.