Deuteronomy 15:21

21 If an animal has a defect, is lame or blind, or has any serious flaw, you must not sacrifice it to the LORD your God.

Deuteronomy 15:21 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
21 And if there be any blemish therein, as if it be lame, or blind, or have any ill blemish, thou shalt not sacrifice it unto the LORD thy God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
21 But if it has any blemish, if it is lame or blind or has any serious blemish whatever, you shall not sacrifice it to the LORD your God.
New Living Translation (NLT)
21 But if this firstborn animal has any defect, such as lameness or blindness, or if anything else is wrong with it, you must not sacrifice it to the LORD your God.
The Message Bible (MSG)
21 If the animal is defective, lame, say, or blind - anything wrong with it - don't slaughter it as a sacrifice to God, your God.
American Standard Version (ASV)
21 And if it have any blemish, [as if it be] lame or blind, any ill blemish whatsoever, thou shalt not sacrifice it unto Jehovah thy God.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
21 But if an animal is lame or blind or has any other serious defect--never sacrifice it to the LORD your God.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
21 But if there is a defect in the animal, if it is lame or blind or has any serious defect, you must not sacrifice it to the Lord your God.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
21 Suppose an animal has something wrong with it. It might not be able to see or walk. Or it might have a bad flaw. Then you must not sacrifice it to the LORD your God.

Deuteronomy 15:21 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 15:21

And if there be any blemish therein
In the firstling, as if it be "lame or blind", or have

any ill blemish: thou shall not sacrifice it unto the Lord thy God;
blemishes in any beast made it unfit for sacrifices which were required; and so all peace offerings, vows, and freewill offerings, were to be free from any, ( Leviticus 22:19-24 ) ( Malachi 1:14 ) , such were not fit for an holy sacrifice or an holy feast.

Deuteronomy 15:21 In-Context

19 Set apart for the LORD your God every firstborn male of your herds and flocks. Do not put the firstborn of your cows to work, and do not shear the firstborn of your sheep.
20 Each year you and your family are to eat them in the presence of the LORD your God at the place he will choose.
21 If an animal has a defect, is lame or blind, or has any serious flaw, you must not sacrifice it to the LORD your God.
22 You are to eat it in your own towns. Both the ceremonially unclean and the clean may eat it, as if it were gazelle or deer.
23 But you must not eat the blood; pour it out on the ground like water.

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Exodus 12:5
  • 2. S Leviticus 22:19-25; Deuteronomy 17:1; Malachi 1:8,13
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