Deuteronomy 17:1

Worshiping Other Gods

1 Do not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep that has any defect or flaw in it, for that would be detestable to him.

Deuteronomy 17:1 in Other Translations

KJV
1 Thou shalt not sacrifice unto the LORD thy God any bullock, or sheep, wherein is blemish, or any evilfavouredness: for that is an abomination unto the LORD thy God.
ESV
1 "You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep in which is a blemish, any defect whatever, for that is an abomination to the LORD your God.
NLT
1 “Never sacrifice sick or defective cattle, sheep, or goats to the LORD your God, for he detests such gifts.
MSG
1 And don't sacrifice to God, your God, an ox or sheep that is defective or has anything at all wrong with it. That's an abomination, an insult to God, your God.
CSB
1 "You must not sacrifice to the Lord your God an ox or sheep with a defect or any serious flaw, for that is detestable to the Lord your God.

Deuteronomy 17:1 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 17:1

Thou shalt not sacrifice unto the Lord thy God any
bullock or sheep wherein is blemish
No sacrifice of any sort, whether burnt offering, sin offering, or peace offering, was to have any blemish in it; typical of the unblemished and immaculate Lamb of God, who, being without sin, offered himself without spot to God, and so could take away the sins of others by the sacrifice of himself; see ( Leviticus 22:18-25 ) ,

[or] any evilfavouredness;
any sickness or disease upon it of any sort, which made it ill favoured to the sight, or disagreeable to the smell, or however unacceptable for sacrifice:

for that is an abomination to the Lord thy God;
every such blemished and ill favoured sacrifice; see ( Malachi 1:8 Malachi 1:14 ) .

Deuteronomy 17:1 In-Context

1 Do not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep that has any defect or flaw in it, for that would be detestable to him.
2 If a man or woman living among you in one of the towns the LORD gives you is found doing evil in the eyes of the LORD your God in violation of his covenant,
3 and contrary to my command has worshiped other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or the moon or the stars in the sky,
4 and this has been brought to your attention, then you must investigate it thoroughly. If it is true and it has been proved that this detestable thing has been done in Israel,
5 take the man or woman who has done this evil deed to your city gate and stone that person to death.

Cross References 3

  • 1. S Exodus 12:5; S Leviticus 22:20; Malachi 1:8,13
  • 2. Deuteronomy 7:25
  • 3. S Deuteronomy 15:21
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