Bible Strands
Leviticus 22:19
must offer an unblemished male from the cattle, sheep, or goats in order for it to be accepted on your behalf.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The Lord addresses Aaron, his sons, and all Israelites to regulate voluntary and vow offerings. The command follows the introduction of burnt offerings and immediately precedes the prohibition against defective animals.
The words — תָּמִים (tamim) means unblemished, and לִרְצוֹנְכֶם (li-r'tzonenkhem) means for acceptance on your behalf. These terms specify the required physical condition of the animal and the conditional nature of its acceptance.
The thread — The mandate to present an unblemished male from cattle, sheep, or goats runs through Leviticus 1:3, Leviticus 1:10, and Exodus 12:5. Each passage establishes physical perfection as the baseline for offerings brought to the Lord.
Why it lands — The text requires worshippers to inspect their animals for defects before presentation. Acceptance depends strictly on the animal meeting the specified standard, not on the giver's motive.
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
Ye shall offer at your own will a male without blemish, of the beeves, of the sheep, or of the goats.
Cross-references
- 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 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.
- Exodus 12:5 Your lamb must be an unblemished year-old male, and you may take it from the sheep or the goats.
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.
- Ephesians 5:27 and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.
- 1 Peter 1:19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.
- 1 Peter 2:22 “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.”
- Leviticus 4:32 If, however, he brings a lamb as a sin offering, he must bring an unblemished female.
- Matthew 27:4 “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.”
- Matthew 27:24 When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.”