And whosoever offereth a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD to accomplish his vow, or a freewill offering in beeves or sheep, it shall be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no blemish therein.

LEVITICUS 22:21KJV
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Leviticus 22:21 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 22:21 mean?

Leviticus 22:21 says that anyone who brings a peace offering to God, whether to fulfill a vow or as a voluntary gift, must offer an animal without any defect for it to be accepted. The animal, whether from cattle or sheep, must be perfect and free from any blemish.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, giving instructions for the Israelites about sacrifices. The focus is on the quality of the animal offered—only an unblemished animal is acceptable for a peace offering, whether it is to fulfill a promise (a vow) or given freely. This requirement shows the seriousness and respect expected when approaching God with gifts or commitments.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 22:21

  • "Perfect" (תָּמִים, tamim): This word means whole, complete, or without defect. The command for the offering to be "perfect" stresses that only the best and most complete animals are suitable for God, not those with flaws or injuries.
  • "Blemish" (מוּם, mum): This word refers to any physical imperfection or defect. The verse insists there must be no "blemish" in the animal, highlighting the importance of purity and integrity in worship.
  • "Accepted" (רָצוֹן, ratson): This word means favor or acceptance. The animal must be without defect to be "accepted" by God, showing that God does not accept just any offering, but only those that meet His standards.

Why Leviticus 22:21 matters

  • Leviticus 22:21 clarifies that God cares about the quality and integrity of what is offered to Him, not just the act of offering itself.
  • The verse connects to the broader theme in Leviticus of holiness and setting apart what is given to God, emphasizing that worship involves respect and careful attention.
  • This requirement for unblemished offerings helps explain later biblical references to sacrifices and the idea of giving God the best, not leftovers or what is unwanted.

Where else these words appear

“blemish” Hebrew H3971 · used in 19 verses

  • Leviticus 21:17 Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever he be of thy seed in their generations that hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God.
  • Leviticus 24:19 And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him;
  • 2 Samuel 14:25 But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.

“offering” Hebrew H5071 · used in 25 verses

  • Exodus 35:29 The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the LORD, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.
  • Deuteronomy 12:6 And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks:
  • Ezra 8:28 And I said unto them, Ye are holy unto the LORD; the vessels are holy also; and the silver and the gold are a freewill offering unto the LORD God of your fathers.

“accepted” Hebrew H7522 · used in 56 verses

  • Genesis 49:6 O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united: for in their anger they slew a man, and in their selfwill they digged down a wall.
  • Psalms 30:5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
  • Proverbs 14:9 Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is favour.

“vow” Hebrew H5088 · used in 57 verses

  • Genesis 28:20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,
  • Numbers 30:6 And if she had at all an husband, when she vowed, or uttered ought out of her lips, wherewith she bound her soul;
  • 2 Samuel 15:8 For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.