Leviticus 22:21

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.

Leviticus 22:21 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 22:21

And whosoever offereth a sacrifice of peace offering unto the
Lord
This, as Ben Gersom observes, is distinguished from a burnt offering; for though it was to be perfect, and without blemish, yet not obliged to be a male as that, ( Leviticus 3:1 ) . This was either by way of thanksgiving for mercies received, ( Leviticus 7:12 ) , or to accomplish [his] vow;
made in any distress, that if God would deliver him, then he would offer such a sacrifice: or a freewill offering;
either on account of favours received, or in order to obtain them: which sacrifice, whether in beeves or sheep;
whether in bullocks or sheep, under which are comprehended goats, both being of the flock, ( Leviticus 22:19 ) ; it shall be perfect to be accepted;
perfect in all its parts, not only in those that are without and obvious to view, but in those that are within: wherefore the Jewish writers say F23, if it had but one kidney, or the spleen was consumed, it was unfit for the altar; wherefore, in order to be an acceptable sacrifice to God, it was to be complete in all respects: there shall be no blemish therein;
which is repeated for the confirmation of it, and that it might be observed. Such sacrifices were typical of Christ, the immaculate Lamb of God, who offered himself without spot to him, ( 1 Peter 1:19 ) ( Hebrews 9:14 ) ; and shows that no sacrifice of man's can be so acceptable to God as to atone for him, since none of theirs are perfect, and without blemish.


FOOTNOTES:

F23 Maimon. Hilchot Issure Mizbeach, c. 2. sect. 11.

Leviticus 22:21 In-Context

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.
23 Either a bull or a lamb that has any deformity or lacking in his parts, that may you offer for a freewill-offering; but for a vow it shall not be accepted.
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