Leviticus 22:20 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 22:20 mean?

Leviticus 22:20 says that any animal with a blemish or defect must not be offered as a sacrifice, because such an offering will not be accepted by God. The verse sets a clear standard that only animals without imperfections are suitable for offerings in worship.

In this part of Leviticus, God is giving instructions to Moses for the priests and the people of Israel about how to handle sacrifices. The focus is on maintaining respect and reverence in worship by bringing only the best animals, not those that are damaged or flawed. This rule highlights the seriousness and care expected in approaching God through the sacrificial system.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 22:20

• "blemish" (מּוּם, mūm): This word means a physical defect or imperfection. In this context, it refers to any noticeable flaw in an animal, such as injury, disease, or deformity, which would make it unfit for sacrifice.
• "offer" (קָרַב, qārab): This verb means to bring near or present, especially in the sense of presenting an offering or sacrifice to God. The word emphasizes the act of drawing something close to God as part of worship.
• "acceptable" (רָצוֹן, rāṣôn): This word means favor, pleasure, or acceptance. Here, it refers to whether God will receive the offering with approval. Only animals without blemish are considered pleasing or acceptable to God.

Why Leviticus 22:20 matters

• Leviticus 22:20 clarifies that God expects offerings to be of the highest quality, not just anything people want to give away, which underlines the importance of respect in worship.
• The verse helps prevent misunderstandings about what kind of sacrifices were allowed, making it clear that not every animal was suitable for offering.
• This instruction connects to the broader theme in Leviticus about holiness and the need for purity in approaching God, both for the priests and the people.