New International Version If an animal has a defect, is lame or blind, or has any serious flaw, you must not sacrifice it to the LORD your God. New Living Translation But if this firstborn animal has any defect, such as lameness or blindness, or if anything else is wrong with it, you must not sacrifice it to the LORD your God. English Standard Version But if it has any blemish, if it is lame or blind or has any serious blemish whatever, you shall not sacrifice it to the LORD your God. Berean Standard Bible But if an animal has a defect, is lame or blind, or has any serious flaw, you must not sacrifice it to the LORD your God. Berean Literal Bible But if there is in it a blemish—lameness or blindness, any serious blemish—you shall not sacrifice it to YHWH your God. King James Bible And if there be any blemish therein, as if it be lame, or blind, or have any ill blemish, thou shalt not sacrifice it unto the LORD thy God. New King James Version But if there is a defect in it, if it is lame or blind or has any serious defect, you shall not sacrifice it to the LORD your God. New American Standard Bible But if it has any impairment, such as a limp, or blindness, or any serious impairment, you shall not sacrifice it to the LORD your God. NASB 1995 “But if it has any defect, such as lameness or blindness, or any serious defect, you shall not sacrifice it to the LORD your God. NASB 1977 “But if it has any defect, such as lameness or blindness, or any serious defect, you shall not sacrifice it to the LORD your God. Legacy Standard Bible But if it has any defect, such as lameness or blindness, or any serious defect, you shall not sacrifice it to Yahweh your God. Amplified Bible But if it has any defect or injury, such as lameness or blindness, or any serious defect, you shall not sacrifice it to the LORD your God. Berean Annotated Bible But if an animal has a defect, is lame or blind, or has any serious flaw, you must not sacrifice it to the LORD your God {YHWH Eloheka}. Christian Standard Bible But if there is a defect in the animal, if it is lame or blind or has any serious defect, you may not sacrifice it to the LORD your God. Holman Christian Standard Bible But if there is a defect in the animal, if it is lame or blind or has any serious defect, you must not sacrifice it to the LORD your God. American Standard Version And if it have any blemish, as if it be lame or blind, any ill blemish whatsoever, thou shalt not sacrifice it unto Jehovah thy God. Contemporary English Version But if the animal is lame or blind or has something else wrong with it, you must not sacrifice it to the LORD your God. English Revised Version And if it have any blemish, as if it be lame or blind, any ill blemish whatsoever, thou shalt not sacrifice it unto the LORD thy God. GOD'S WORD® Translation But if an animal is lame or blind or has any other serious defect-never sacrifice it to the LORD your God. Good News Translation But if there is anything wrong with the animals, if they are crippled or blind or have any other serious defect, you must not sacrifice them to the LORD your God. International Standard Version If it has a blemish—lameness, blindness, or any kind of defect—you must not sacrifice it to the LORD your God. NET Bible If they have any kind of blemish--lameness, blindness, or anything else--you may not offer them as a sacrifice to the LORD your God. New Heart English Bible If it has any blemish, is lame or blind, or has any defect whatever, you shall not sacrifice it to the LORD your God. Webster's Bible Translation And if there is any blemish in it, as if it is lame, or blind, or hath any ill blemish, thou shalt not sacrifice it to the LORD thy God. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut if an animal has a defect, is lame or blind, or has any serious flaw, you must not sacrifice it to the LORD your God. World English Bible If it has any defect—is lame or blind, or has any defect whatever, you shall not sacrifice it to Yahweh your God. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd when there is a blemish in it, [or it is] lame or blind, [or has] any evil blemish, you do not sacrifice it to your God YHWH; Berean Literal Bible But if there is in it a blemish—lameness or blindness, any serious blemish—you shall not sacrifice it to YHWH your God. Young's Literal Translation 'And when there is in it a blemish, lame, or blind, any evil blemish, thou dost not sacrifice it to Jehovah thy God; Smith's Literal Translation And when a blemish shall be in it, lame or blind, any evil blemish, thou shalt not sacrifice it to Jehovah thy God. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut if it have a blemish, or be lame, or blind, or in any part disfigured or feeble, it shall not be sacrificed to the Lord thy God. Catholic Public Domain Version But if it has a blemish, or is lame, or is blind, or if it is in any part deformed or debilitated, it shall not be immolated to the Lord your God. New American Bible But if a firstling has any defect, lameness or blindness, any such serious defect, you shall not sacrifice it to the LORD, your God, New Revised Standard Version But if it has any defect—any serious defect, such as lameness or blindness—you shall not sacrifice it to the LORD your God; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd if there is any blemish in it, or it is lame or blind, or have any ill blemish, you shall not sacrifice it to the LORD your God. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And if there shall be a defect in it, or it is lame, or blind, or anything bad, you shall not bring it to LORD JEHOVAH your God. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And if there be any blemish therein, lameness, or blindness, any ill blemish whatsoever, thou shalt not sacrifice it unto the LORD thy God. Brenton Septuagint Translation And if there be in it a blemish, if it be lame or blind, an evil blemish, thou shalt not sacrifice it to the Lord thy God. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Firstborn Animals…20Each year you and your household are to eat it before the LORD your God in the place the LORD will choose. 21But if an animal has a defect, is lame or blind, or has any serious flaw, you must not sacrifice it to the LORD your God. 22Eat it within your gates; both the ceremonially unclean and clean may eat it as they would a gazelle or a deer.… Cross References But if an animal has a defect, Deuteronomy 17:1 You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep with any defect or serious flaw, for that is detestable to the LORD your God. Leviticus 22:20 You must not present anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf. Malachi 1:14 “But cursed is the deceiver who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but sacrifices a defective animal to the Lord. For I am a great King,” says the LORD of Hosts, “and My name is to be feared among the nations. is lame or blind, Leviticus 22:22 You are not to present to the LORD any animal that is blind, injured, or maimed, or anything with a running sore, a festering rash, or a scab; you must not put any of these on the altar as a food offering to the LORD. Leviticus 21:18 No man who has any defect may approach—no man who is blind, lame, disfigured, or deformed; Isaiah 35:5 Then the eyes of the blind will be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. or has any serious flaw, Leviticus 22:23 You may present as a freewill offering an ox or sheep that has a deformed or stunted limb, but it is not acceptable in fulfillment of a vow. Leviticus 22:24 You are not to present to the LORD an animal whose testicles are bruised, crushed, torn, or cut; you are not to sacrifice them in your land. Exodus 12:5 Your lamb must be an unblemished year-old male, and you may take it from the sheep or the goats. you must not sacrifice it to the LORD your God. Malachi 1:8 When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is it not wrong? And when you present the lame and sick ones, is it not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you or show you favor?” asks the LORD of Hosts. Leviticus 22:25 Neither you nor a foreigner shall present food to your God from any such animal. They will not be accepted on your behalf, because they are deformed and flawed.’” Leviticus 1:3 If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to present an unblemished male. He must bring it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting for its acceptance before the LORD. Leviticus 22:19 must offer an unblemished male from the cattle, sheep, or goats in order for it to be accepted on your behalf. Numbers 19:2 “This is the statute of the law that the LORD has commanded: Instruct the Israelites to bring you an unblemished red heifer that has no defect and has never been placed under a yoke. 1 Peter 1:19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot. Hebrews 9:14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God! Treasury of Scripture And if there be any blemish therein, as if it be lame, or blind, or have any ill blemish, you shall not sacrifice it to the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 17:1 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. Leviticus 22:20,24 But whatsoever hath a blemish, that shall ye not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you… Malachi 1:7,8 Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible… Jump to Previous Animal Blemish Blind Blindness Damaged Defect Evil Ill Lame Mark Sacrifice Serious Therein Whatever Whatsoever WrongJump to Next Animal Blemish Blind Blindness Damaged Defect Evil Ill Lame Mark Sacrifice Serious Therein Whatever Whatsoever WrongDeuteronomy 15 1. The seventh year a year of release for the poor7. one must be generous in lending or giving 12. A Hebrew servant, except by choice, must be freed in the seventh year 19. All firstborn males of the cattle are to be sanctified unto the Lord. But if an animal has a defect, Israel was not permitted to offer God what was damaged or inferior. Sacrificial animals represented the worshiper’s recognition of God’s holiness and His rightful claim to the best of the flock or herd. Deu 17:1 You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God… is lame or blind, Such visible impairments made an animal unsuitable for the altar. The standard guarded Israel’s worship from becoming careless or self-serving. Lev 22:22 You are not to present to the LORD any animal that is blind… or has any serious flaw, Any significant defect disqualified the animal, preventing people from reserving healthy animals for themselves while giving lesser ones to God. Lev 22:23 You may present as a freewill offering an ox or sheep… you must not sacrifice it to the LORD your God. Obedience in this matter honored the covenant Lord and preserved the distinction between common property and what was set apart for Him. The unblemished sacrifice also anticipated Christ, who offered Himself without sin as the final sacrifice for His people. Mal 1:8 When you offer blind animals for sacrifice,… Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws to the Israelites. 2. Israelites The chosen people of God, receiving instructions on how to live in covenant with Him. 3. The Promised Land The land of Canaan, where the Israelites are to live according to God's laws. 4. Sacrificial System The system of offerings and sacrifices established by God for worship and atonement. 5. The LORD (Yahweh) The covenant God of Israel, who requires pure and unblemished offerings. Teaching Points The Principle of Giving God Our BestGod deserves our best offerings, not our leftovers. This principle extends beyond physical sacrifices to our time, talents, and resources. Holiness and Purity in Worship The requirement for unblemished sacrifices underscores the holiness of God and the purity He demands in worship. Our worship should reflect His holiness. Symbolism of Christ as the Perfect Sacrifice The unblemished sacrifices in the Old Testament foreshadow Christ, the perfect Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Integrity in Our Offerings Just as the Israelites were to offer unblemished animals, we are called to integrity in our offerings, ensuring they are given with a pure heart. Reflecting God's Standards in Our Lives The call to offer unblemished sacrifices is a reminder to live lives that reflect God's standards of holiness and righteousness. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 15:21?2. How does Deuteronomy 15:21 emphasize offering only unblemished sacrifices to God? 3. What does "defect or flaw" teach about God's standards for offerings? 4. How does this verse connect to Christ as the perfect sacrifice? 5. Why is it important to give God our best in all areas of life? 6. How can we apply the principle of purity in our daily worship? 7. Why does Deuteronomy 15:21 prohibit offering blemished animals to God? 8. How does Deuteronomy 15:21 reflect God's standards for worship? 9. What historical context influenced the command in Deuteronomy 15:21? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 15? Deuteronomy 15:21 teaches that only unblemished offerings may approach a perfect God. The ban on defective animals underscores His holiness, exposes the insufficiency of anything tainted, and foreshadows the flawless sacrifice of Christ. In response, believers bring God their best—wholehearted, unreserved, and holy devotion. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew But ifוְכִֽי־ (wə·ḵî-) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction [an animal] has יִהְיֶ֨ה (yih·yeh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be a defect, מ֗וּם (mūm) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3971: To stain, a blemish is lame פִּסֵּ֙חַ֙ (pis·sê·aḥ) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 6455: Lame or א֣וֹ (’ōw) Conjunction Strong's 176: Desire, if blind, עִוֵּ֔ר (‘iw·wêr) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 5787: Blind or has any כֹּ֖ל (kōl) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every serious רָ֑ע (rā‘) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 7451: Bad, evil flaw, מ֣וּם (mūm) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3971: To stain, a blemish you must not לֹ֣א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no sacrifice תִזְבָּחֶ֔נּוּ (ṯiz·bā·ḥen·nū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 2076: To slaughter for sacrifice it to the LORD לַיהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel your God. אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ׃ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative Additonal Resources Deuteronomy 15:21 Blue Letter BibleDeuteronomy 15:21 Bible Gateway Deuteronomy 15:21 Bible.com Deuteronomy 15:21 NIV |
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