Leviticus 22:20

20 But whatever has a blemish, that shall you not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you.

Leviticus 22:20 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 22:20

For whatsoever hath a blemish, that shall ye not offer
Which is the general rule, the particulars of which are after given, and which has been imitated by the Heathens. The Egyptians, as they only sacrificed the males of beeves, so they were very curious in examining them, that they might be entirely pure and perfect ^F19; and it was a custom among the Romans, that such sheep should be chosen for sacrifice, in which there was nothing wanting ^F20; and so, among the Grecians, Homer ^F21 speaks of perfect goats offered in sacrifice to appease the gods: for it shall not be acceptable for you;
be grateful to God, and accepted by him on their account, if blemished; see ( Malachi 1:13 Malachi 1:14 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F19 Heredot. Euterpe, sive, l. 2. c. 38.
F20 Servius in Virgil. Aeneid. l. 4.
F21 Iliad. 1. ver. 66.

Leviticus 22:20 In-Context

18 Speak to Aaron, and to his sons, and to all the children of Israel, and tell them, Whoever he be of the house of Israel, or of the sojourners in Israel, that offers his offering, whether it be any of their vows, or any of their freewill-offerings, which they offer to Yahweh for a burnt offering;

19 that you may be accepted, [you shall offer] a male without blemish, of the bulls, of the sheep, or of the goats.

20 But whatever has a blemish, that shall you not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you.

21 Whoever offers a sacrifice of peace-offerings to Yahweh 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.

22 Blind, or broken, or maimed, or having a wen, or scurvy, or scabbed, you shall not offer these to Yahweh, nor make an offering by fire of them on the altar to Yahweh.