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Deuteronomy 15

Deuteronomy 15:21

Firstborn Animals · Deuteronomy 15:19–23
Read Deuteronomy 15

Translations

Modern
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.
Traditional
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.
Literal
But if there is in it a blemish—lameness or blindness, any serious blemish—you shall not sacrifice it to YHWH your God.
Latin
Sin autem habuerit maculam, vel claudum fuerit, vel cæcum, aut in aliqua parte deforme vel debile, non immolabitur Domino Deo tuo:

Original

Hebrew
English
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.

Notes

Deuteronomy 15:21

A defect was any physical flaw that lowered the value of an animal.

If an animal was already of little or no value, offering it would not be a true sacrifice. A sacrifice required giving something valuable (2 Samuel 24:24).

Deuteronomy 15:1–23

The law of Moses included rules about borrowing and lending. Here, God commanded Israel to cancel debts in the seventh year and to lend generously to the poor.

These laws helped poor people survive times of need. They also placed limits on the wealthy so they would not take advantage of those who were vulnerable.

Theme notes and profiles

Ancient Law Codes

Parallels

Exodus 13:1–16

Glossary

Archaeology and the Bible Biblical Concept of Law Covenant Deuteronomy, Book of

Topics

Blindness of Animals, Disqualified for a Sacrifice Firstborn of Man and Beast, Reserved to Himself by God Lameness: Disqualified Animals for Sacrificial Uses Sacrifices: Required to be Perfect and Without Blemish