Leviticus 22:20

20 But ye shall not offer any thing that has a blemish, 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 unto Aaron and to his sons and unto all the sons of Israel and say unto them, Any man of the house of Israel or of the strangers in Israel that will offer his oblation for all his vows and for all his freewill offerings, which they will offer unto the LORD for a burnt offering,

19 ye shall offer of your own free will a male without blemish of the bovine cattle of the sheep or of the goats.

20 But ye shall not offer any thing that has a blemish, for it shall not be acceptable for you.

21 Likewise when anyone offers a sacrifice of peace unto the LORD to present his vow or a freewill offering in bovine cattle or sheep, it must be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no blemish therein.

22 Blind or broken or maimed or having a running sore or scurvy or scabbed, ye shall not offer these unto the LORD, nor make an offering on fire of them upon the altar of the LORD.