Leviticus 22:21

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.

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 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.
23 A bullock or a lamb that has any thing superfluous or lacking in his parts, thou may offer for a freewill offering; but for a vow it shall not be accepted.
The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010