When a bullock, or a sheep, or a goat, is brought forth, then it shall be seven days under the dam; and from the eighth day and thenceforth it shall be accepted for an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
LEVITICUS 22:27KJVWhat does Leviticus 22:27 mean?
Leviticus 22:27 sets a rule that a newborn bull, sheep, or goat must stay with its mother for seven days after birth, and only from the eighth day onward can it be accepted as a burnt offering to the LORD. This means animals offered to God had to reach a minimum age before being used in sacrifice.
In this verse, God is speaking to Moses, giving instructions for the priests and the people of Israel about acceptable animal sacrifices. The context is a set of laws about how to treat offerings with respect and care, showing that even the youngest animals were not to be separated from their mothers or sacrificed too soon.
The Hebrew behind Leviticus 22:27
- דָּם (dam; H517) means "mother" here, emphasizing the animal’s connection to its mother and the importance of allowing time for that bond.
- שִׁבְעָה (shiv'ah; H7651) means "seven," and שְׁמוֹנִי (shemini; H8066) means "eighth," marking a specific period of waiting that reflects a sense of completeness or readiness before an animal is suitable for offering.
- יֵרָצֶה (yeratzeh; H7521) means "accepted," showing that only after this waiting period would God receive the offering as proper and pleasing.
Why Leviticus 22:27 matters
- Leviticus 22:27 clarifies that not every animal, even if technically suitable, could be offered immediately after birth; there was a waiting period out of respect for both the animal and its mother.
- This verse highlights the careful, humane guidelines in the sacrificial system, which may surprise readers who assume ancient practices were harsh or careless.
- The rule connects to the broader theme in Leviticus of offering only what is whole, mature, and fitting to God, reinforcing the idea that worship involved thoughtfulness and restraint.