if it is to be accepted for you it shall be a male without blemish, of the bulls or the sheep or the goats.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Leviticus 22:19
What does Leviticus 22:19 mean?
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Leviticus 22:19
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The phrasing "that it may be accepted for you" is crucial here, pointing out that the perfection of the sacrifice wasn't just about the animal itself, but about what it signified for the worshipper's relationship with God. This wasn't a mere suggestion; it was a direct pathway to acceptable worship, ensuring their offerings were genuinely pleasing to the Divine.
if it is to be accepted for you it shall be a male without blemish, of the bulls or the sheep or the goats.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The preceding verses (Leviticus 22:17-18) have established that any defect in an animal offered to God would make it unacceptable, and that this applied to all Israelites and even strangers living among them. This verse, Leviticus 22:19, directly follows these instructions by specifying the precise requirements for an acceptable offering. It emphasizes that to be accepted, the sacrifice must be a male animal, without any blemish, chosen from cattle, sheep, or goats.
The verse talks about offering 'at your own will,' but is that really the main point? It turns out the focus is less about your choice and more about God's approval.
The phrasing in Leviticus 22:19 can be a bit tricky. While "at your own will" is part of the translation, the deeper meaning, as understood in the original language and context, points towards the purpose of the offering: "for your acceptance."
God's Standard for Approval
This means the offering isn't about what you feel like giving, but about meeting God's specific requirements so that the offering is actually received by Him. It's about pleasing Him according to His standards, not ours.
This shifts the focus from the giver's subjective willingness to the objective conditions God has set for approaching Him.
Why did God insist on a male animal without any physical flaws? It wasn't just about picking the best – it was a powerful picture of something far greater.
The requirement for a male, unblemished animal for certain sacrifices in Leviticus 22:19 served as a profound symbol:
Representing the Ideal
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A Shadow of Christ
This isn't just about animal husbandry; it's theological. These animals were stand-ins, pointing forward to the ultimate sacrifice. Only a perfect, unblemished sacrifice could symbolically atone for the imperfection of sin. This prefigures Jesus Christ, who is repeatedly described as without sin and without blemish in a spiritual sense.
Understand the original words
tamim · Hebrew Adjective
Physical perfection or wholeness. In the sacrificial system, it signifies that the offering must represent the best quality, reflecting the holiness of God to whom the sacrifice is presented.
This passage directly challenges the Israelites for offering blemished sacrifices, echoing the concern for perfection found in Leviticus 22:19 and questioning their reverence for God's altar.
Romans 12:1This New Testament passage calls believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which parallels the Old Testament requirement for unblemished animal sacrifices as a symbol of complete devotion.
1 Peter 1:19Peter describes believers being redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, 'a lamb without blemish or spot,' directly linking the concept of Christ's perfect sacrifice to the unblemished requirements of the Levitical offerings.
Hebrews 10:14This verse explains that Christ's single, perfect sacrifice has made the old sacrificial system obsolete, emphasizing the ultimate fulfillment of the Levitical demand for perfection in Jesus.
pooleLeviticus 22:19: "Ye shall offer at your own will a male without blemish, of the beeves, of the sheep, or of the goats."
A male for a burnt-offering, which was always of that kind; but the females were accepted in peace-offerings, Leviticus 3:1 , and sin-offerings, Leviticus 4:32 5:6 .
gillLeviticus 22:19: "Ye shall offer at your own will a male without blemish, of the beeves, of the sheep, or of the goats."
Ye shall offer at your own will,.... For vows and freewill offerings were at their own option, and depended on their own will and pleasure, and when offered should be with a willing mind, and from their whole heart: or "for good will to you"; as the Targums of Onkelos and Jonathan; or for gracious, acceptation, that is, that they might be well pleasing to God, and acceptable…
The phrasing "that it may be accepted for you" is crucial here, pointing out that the perfection of the sacrifice wasn't just about the animal itself, but about what it signified for the worshipper's relationship with God. This wasn't a mere suggestion; it was a direct pathway to acceptable worship, ensuring their offerings were genuinely pleasing to the Divine.
The preceding verses (Leviticus 22:17-18) have established that any defect in an animal offered to God would make it unacceptable, and that this applied to all Israelites and even strangers living among them. This verse, Leviticus 22:19, directly follows these instructions by specifying the precise requirements for an acceptable offering. It emphasizes that to be accepted, the sacrifice must be a male animal, without any blemish, chosen from cattle, sheep, or goats.
The preceding verses (Leviticus 22:17-18) have established that any defect in an animal offered to God would make it unacceptable, and that this applied to all Israelites and even strangers living among them. This verse, Leviticus 22:19, directly follows these instructions by specifying the precise requirements for an acceptable offering. It emphasizes that to be accepted, the sacrifice must be a male animal, without any blemish, chosen from cattle, sheep, or goats.
"if it is to be accepted for you it shall be a male without blemish, of the bulls or the sheep or the goats." — The phrasing "that it may be accepted for you" is crucial here, pointing out that the perfection of the sacrifice wasn't just about the animal itself, but about what it signified for the worshipper's…
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Last reviewed October 2026