Leviticus 22:17-33

17 God spoke to Moses,

18 "Tell Aaron and his sons and all the People of Israel, Each and every one of you, whether native born or foreigner, who presents a Whole-Burnt-Offering to God to fulfill a vow or as a Freewill-Offering,

19 must make sure that it is a male without defect from cattle, sheep, or goats for it to be acceptable.

20 Don't try slipping in some creature that has a defect - it won't be accepted.

21 Whenever anyone brings an offering from cattle or sheep as a Peace-Offering to God to fulfill a vow or as a Freewill-Offering, it has to be perfect, without defect, to be acceptable.

22 Don't try giving God an animal that is blind, crippled, mutilated, an animal with running sores, a rash, or mange. Don't place any of these on the Altar as a gift to God.

23 You may, though, offer an ox or sheep that is deformed or stunted as a Freewill-Offering, but it is not acceptable in fulfilling a vow.

24 Don't offer to God an animal with bruised, crushed, torn, or cut-off testicles. Don't do this in your own land

25 but don't accept them from foreigners and present them as food for your God either. Because of deformities and defects they will not be acceptable."

26 God spoke to Moses:

27 "When a calf or lamb or goat is born, it is to stay with its mother for seven days. After the eighth day, it is acceptable as an offering, a gift to God.

28 Don't slaughter both a cow or ewe and its young on the same day.

29 When you sacrifice a Thanksgiving-Offering to God, do it right so it will be acceptable.

30 Eat it on the same day; don't leave any leftovers until morning. I am God.

31 "Do what I tell you; live what I tell you. I am God.

32 "Don't desecrate my holy name. I insist on being treated with holy reverence among the People of Israel. I am God who makes you holy

33 and brought you out of Egypt to be your God. I am God."

Leviticus 22:17-33 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO LEVITICUS 22

In this chapter several laws are delivered out, forbidding the priests to eat of holy things, when in any uncleanness, or at any time what dies of itself, or is torn of beasts, Le 22:1-9; also showing who belonging to the priests might or might not eat of the holy things, Le 22:10-16; and others requiring that whatever offerings were brought by the children, of Israel, they should be perfect and without blemish, Le 22:17-25; and also declaring what age a creature should be of when sacrificed, and the time when thank offerings were to be eaten, Le 22:26-30; concluding with an exhortation to observe the commands of God, and sanctify him, and not profane his name, Le 22:31-33.