Bible Strands
Leviticus 1:10
If, however, one’s offering is a burnt offering from the flock—from the sheep or goats—he is to present an unblemished male.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Lord speaks through Moses to the Israelites as the regulations for the tabernacle altar are being established. This verse addresses the specific procedure for a burnt offering drawn from the sheep or goat flock.
The words — The phrase מִן־ הַצֹּאן (min ha-tzōʾān) literally means “from the flock,” and קָרְבָּנוֹ (qorbānô) translates to “his offering” or “his presentation.” These terms restrict the instruction to a defined category of livestock rather than a general command.
The thread — The unblemished male requirement resurfaces in Leviticus 22:19 as a condition for acceptance, while the initial permission to bring from the herd or flock appears in Leviticus 1:2. The pattern of presenting livestock for a burnt offering aligns with the altar practice recorded in Genesis 8:20.
Why it lands — The text mandates the selection of a physically unblemished male from the sheep or goats before any slaughter or burning occurs. This establishes a clear, objective standard for the offering that precedes the priestly rites.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And if his offering be of the flocks, namely, of the sheep, or of the goats, for a burnt sacrifice; he shall bring it a male without blemish.
Cross-references
- Leviticus 1:2 “Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When any of you brings an offering to the LORD, you may bring as your offering an animal from the herd or the flock.
- Genesis 8:20 Then Noah built an altar to the LORD. And taking from every kind of clean animal and clean bird, he offered burnt offerings on the altar.
- Leviticus 22:19 must offer an unblemished male from the cattle, sheep, or goats in order for it to 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.
- Exodus 12:5 Your lamb must be an unblemished year-old male, and you may take it from the sheep or the goats.
- Leviticus 4:23 When he becomes aware of the sin he has committed, he must bring an unblemished male goat as his offering.
- Isaiah 53:6 We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.
- John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
- Genesis 4:4 while Abel brought the best portions of the firstborn of his flock. And the LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering,