Neither from a stranger's hand shall ye offer the bread of your God of any of these; because their corruption is in them, and blemishes be in them: they shall not be accepted for you.

LEVITICUS 22:25KJV
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Leviticus 22:25 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 22:25 mean?

Leviticus 22:25 says that the Israelites must not offer to God any animal for sacrifice that comes from a foreigner, because such animals are considered corrupt or blemished and will not be accepted by God. The verse emphasizes that only offerings meeting God’s standards, and coming from within the Israelite community, are suitable for worship.

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, giving instructions for the priests and the people of Israel about acceptable sacrifices. The context is about maintaining the purity and integrity of offerings brought to the tabernacle. The concern is that animals from outsiders (non-Israelites) might not meet the specific requirements God set for sacrifices, either because of physical defects or because they were not raised according to Israel’s laws.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 22:25

  • "stranger's" (נָכְרִי, nokhri): This word refers to someone who is not an Israelite, highlighting that the restriction is about animals coming from outside the covenant community.
  • "corruption" (מַשְׁחִית, mashchit): This term means something spoiled, ruined, or corrupted. Here, it stresses that the animals from foreigners are seen as unfit or tainted for holy use.
  • "blemishes" (מוּם, mum): This word means a physical defect or imperfection. Sacrifices had to be without such blemishes to be acceptable to God.
  • "accepted" (רָצָה, ratsah): This word means to be pleased with or to accept favorably. The verse makes clear that God will not accept offerings that do not meet these standards.

Why Leviticus 22:25 matters

  • Leviticus 22:25 clarifies that not just any animal, even if offered for a good purpose, is suitable for sacrifice—God’s standards are specific and must be respected.
  • The verse highlights the importance of community boundaries in worship, showing that sacrifices must come from within Israel and not from outsiders.
  • This instruction fits into a larger section about holiness and purity, underlining that what is offered to God must be carefully chosen and handled according to His instructions.

Where else these words appear

“corruption” Hebrew H4893 · used in 2 verses

  • Isaiah 52:14 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:

“blemishes” 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.

“stranger's” Hebrew H5236 · used in 35 verses

  • Genesis 17:12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.
  • 2 Samuel 22:45 Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto me.
  • Psalms 144:11 Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood:

“accepted” Hebrew H7521 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 33:10 And Jacob said, Nay, I pray thee, if now I have found grace in thy sight, then receive my present at my hand: for therefore I have seen thy face, as though I had seen the face of God, and thou wast pleased with me.
  • Esther 10:3 For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.
  • Proverbs 3:12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.