Leviticus 22:20
New International Version
Do not bring anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf.

New Living Translation
Do not present an animal with defects, because the LORD will not accept it on your behalf.

English Standard Version
You shall not offer anything that has a blemish, for it will not be acceptable for you.

Berean Standard Bible
You must not present anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf.

King James Bible
But whatsoever hath a blemish, that shall ye not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you.

New King James Version
Whatever has a defect, you shall not offer, for it shall not be acceptable on your behalf.

New American Standard Bible
Whatever has a defect, you shall not offer, for it will not be accepted for you.

NASB 1995
‘Whatever has a defect, you shall not offer, for it will not be accepted for you.

NASB 1977
‘Whatever has a defect, you shall not offer, for it will not be accepted for you.

Legacy Standard Bible
Whatever has a defect, you shall not bring it near, for it will not be accepted for you.

Amplified Bible
You shall not offer anything which has a blemish, because it will not be accepted for you.

Christian Standard Bible
You are not to present anything that has a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You are not to present anything that has a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf.”

American Standard Version
But whatsoever hath a blemish, that shall ye not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you.

English Revised Version
But whatsoever hath a blemish, that shall ye not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Never bring any animal with a physical defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf.

Good News Translation
If you offer any animal that has any defects, the LORD will not accept it.

International Standard Version
However, whatever has a defect is not to be offered, because it won't be acceptable for you.

Majority Standard Bible
You must not present anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf.

NET Bible
You must not present anything that has a flaw, because it will not be acceptable for your benefit.

New Heart English Bible
But whatever has a blemish, that you shall not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you.

Webster's Bible Translation
But whatever hath a blemish, that shall ye not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you.

World English Bible
But you shall not offer whatever has a defect, for it shall not be acceptable for you.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
nothing in which [is] blemish do you bring near, for it is not for a pleasing thing for you.

Young's Literal Translation
nothing in which is blemish do ye bring near, for it is not for a pleasing thing for you.

Smith's Literal Translation
And every one which in it is a blemish ye shall not bring it: for it shall not be for acceptance for you.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If it have a blemish you shall not offer it, neither shall it be acceptable.

Catholic Public Domain Version
If it has a blemish, you shall not offer it, and it shall not be acceptable.

New American Bible
You shall not offer one that has any blemish, for such a one would not be acceptable on your behalf.

New Revised Standard Version
You shall not offer anything that has a blemish, for it will not be acceptable in your behalf.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But whatsoever has a blemish, that you shall not offer; for it shall not be acceptable for you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
You shall offer none that has a flaw in it because it is not desirable to you.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But whatsoever hath a blemish, that shall ye not bring; for it shall not be acceptable for you.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
They shall not bring to the Lord anything that has a blemish in it, for it shall not be acceptable for you.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Worthy Offerings
19must offer an unblemished male from the cattle, sheep, or goats in order for it to be accepted on your behalf. 20You must not present anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf. 21When a man presents a peace offering to the LORD from the herd or flock to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering, it must be without blemish or defect to be acceptable.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 15:21
But 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.

Malachi 1:8
When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is it not wrong? And when you present the lame and sick ones, is it not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you or show you favor?” asks the LORD of Hosts.

Malachi 1:14
“But cursed is the deceiver who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but sacrifices a defective animal to the Lord. For I am a great King,” says the LORD of Hosts, “and My name is to be feared among the nations.

Deuteronomy 17:1
You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep with any defect or serious flaw, for that is detestable to the LORD your God.

Exodus 12:5
Your lamb must be an unblemished year-old male, and you may take it from the sheep or the goats.

Deuteronomy 17:1
You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep with any defect or serious flaw, for that is detestable to the LORD your God.

Numbers 19:2
“This is the statute of the law that the LORD has commanded: Instruct the Israelites to bring you an unblemished red heifer that has no defect and has never been placed under a yoke.

Deuteronomy 15:21
But 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.

1 Peter 1:19
but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.

Hebrews 9:14
how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!

1 Corinthians 5:7
Get rid of the old leaven, that you may be a new unleavened batch, as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

Ephesians 5:27
and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.

Philippians 2:15
so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world

Romans 12:1
Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

Hebrews 10:10
And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.


Treasury of Scripture

But whatever has a blemish, that shall you not offer: for it shall not be acceptable for you.

Leviticus 22:25
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.

Deuteronomy 15:21
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.

Deuteronomy 17:1
Thou shalt not sacrifice unto the LORD thy God any bullock, or sheep, wherein is blemish, or any evilfavouredness: for that is an abomination unto the LORD thy God.

Jump to Previous
Acceptable Accepted Behalf Blemish Defect Mark Offer Pleasing Present Whatsoever
Jump to Next
Acceptable Accepted Behalf Blemish Defect Mark Offer Pleasing Present Whatsoever
Leviticus 22
1. The priests in their uncleanness must abstain from the holy things
6. How they shall be cleansed
10. Who of the priest's house may eat of the holy things
17. The sacrifices must be without blemish
26. The age of the sacrifice
29. The law of eating the sacrifice of thanksgiving














You must not present
The phrase underscores a direct command from God, emphasizing the importance of obedience in worship. The Hebrew root for "present" is "qarab," which means to bring near or offer. This reflects the act of drawing near to God through offerings, a central aspect of Israelite worship. The command indicates that worship is not merely a ritual but a sincere act of reverence and submission to God's holiness.

anything with a defect
The term "defect" translates from the Hebrew word "mum," which refers to a blemish or imperfection. In the ancient Near Eastern context, offerings were to be perfect, symbolizing purity and holiness. This requirement points to the nature of God as perfect and holy, and it foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who was without blemish or sin. Theologically, it reminds believers of the call to offer their best to God, reflecting His worthiness.

because it will not be accepted
Acceptance by God is a recurring theme in Levitical law, where offerings symbolize the worshiper's relationship with God. The Hebrew word "ratsah" means to be pleased with or to accept favorably. This highlights that God desires offerings that reflect the worshiper's heart and commitment. It serves as a reminder that God looks beyond the external act to the intention and purity of the heart.

on your behalf
This phrase indicates the representative nature of offerings. In the sacrificial system, offerings were made on behalf of the individual or community, symbolizing atonement and reconciliation with God. The Hebrew context suggests a substitutionary aspect, where the offering stands in place of the worshiper. This prefigures the New Testament understanding of Christ's atoning work, where He is the perfect offering on behalf of humanity.

(20) But whatsoever hath a blemish.--Better. whatsoever hath, &c, without the "but," which is not in the original, and is not wanted. The general rule is here repeated as an introduction to the cases which are immediately to be specified. It will be seen that only quadrupeds are given and that fowls are not alluded to, because when people brought birds the Law did not require any distinction to be made between male and female, and during the second Temple no blemish disqualified a bird except the entire absence of a limb.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
You must not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

present
תַקְרִ֑יבוּ (ṯaq·rî·ḇū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7126: To come near, approach

anything
כֹּ֛ל (kōl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

with
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

a defect,
מ֖וּם (mūm)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3971: To stain, a blemish

because
כִּי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

it will not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

be
יִהְיֶ֥ה (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

accepted on your behalf.
לְרָצ֖וֹן (lə·rā·ṣō·wn)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7522: Goodwill, favor, acceptance, will


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OT Law: Leviticus 22:20 But whatever has a blemish that you (Le Lv Lev.)
Leviticus 22:19
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