Leviticus 22:27
“When an ox or sheep or goat is born, it shall remain seven days with its mother, and from the eighth day on it shall be acceptable as a food offering to the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
What's striking is that the text emphasizes the animal's dependence on its mother for the first seven days, highlighting its vulnerability and immaturity before it's deemed fit for even God's altar. This period of nurturing and development mirrors how we too need time to grow strong and established before we can truly give ourselves to God.
This instruction comes after God has laid out the requirements for priests to be holy and for sacrifices to be free from defects. It specifies that young animals—calves, lambs, or kids—must stay with their mothers for seven days after birth. Only on the eighth day and after are they considered mature enough to be acceptable as offerings to the Lord, emphasizing a pattern of purity and completion.
Why did God set a specific waiting period for newborn animals before they could be offered? It wasn't just about age, but about readiness.
In Leviticus 22:27, God instructs that newborn animals like calves, lambs, and kids must stay with their mothers for seven days.
God's commands for sacrifice weren't just for the extraordinary; they carried principles that touched the cycle of life itself.
This passage reveals that even the most basic aspects of life and provision, like the birth of an animal, were under God's rule and had implications for worship.
Understand the original words
ishsheh · Hebrew Noun
A sacrificial gift brought to God, often involving the slaughter of an animal, meant to express devotion, atonement, or thanksgiving, and to maintain communion between God and His people.
ratsah · Hebrew Verb
To be received with favor or approval by God; implies that the worshiper or the offering satisfies the requirements of holiness, often resulting in covenantal blessing or atonement.
This passage echoes the same idea of waiting a specific time, relating it to harvest offerings. It shows a pattern in the law of waiting for maturity before presenting the best to God.
Luke 2:21Just as the animal had to wait eight days for sacrifice, Jesus, the ultimate sacrifice, was circumcised on the eighth day. This points to Jesus fulfilling the requirements of the Law, even in his infancy.
1 Corinthians 15:20The text emphasizes that Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, acting as the firstfruits of those who are asleep. This connects to the idea of 'firstfruits' and the importance of a proper offering, highlighting Christ's perfect offering.
Hebrews 4:15This passage speaks of Jesus as a High Priest who can sympathize with our weaknesses, having been tempted as we are, yet without sin. It resonates with the Levitical requirement for perfect, unblemished offerings, pointing to Jesus' sinless perfection as our sacrifice.
pooleLeviticus 22:27: "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."
From the eighth day. See on Exodus 23:30 23:19 .
gillLeviticus 22:27: "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."
When a bullock, or a sheep, or a goat, is brought forth,.... Those three are only mentioned, because they were only made use of in sacrifice, to which this law refers: then it shall be seven days under the dam; whether a calf, or a lamb, or a kid of the goats; it was not to…
What's striking is that the text emphasizes the animal's dependence on its mother for the first seven days, highlighting its vulnerability and immaturity before it's deemed fit for even God's altar. This period of nurturing and development mirrors how we too need time to grow strong and established before we can truly give ourselves to God.
This instruction comes after God has laid out the requirements for priests to be holy and for sacrifices to be free from defects. It specifies that young animals—calves, lambs, or kids—must stay with their mothers for seven days after birth. Only on the eighth day and after are they considered mature enough to be acceptable as offerings to the Lord, emphasizing a pattern of purity and completion.
This instruction comes after God has laid out the requirements for priests to be holy and for sacrifices to be free from defects. It specifies that young animals—calves, lambs, or kids—must stay with their mothers for seven days after birth. Only on the eighth day and after are they considered mature enough to be acceptable as offerings to the Lord, emphasizing a pattern of purity and completion.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Leviticus 22:27 is available in the Sola app.
"“When an ox or sheep or goat is born, it shall remain seven days with its mother, and from the eighth day on it shall be acceptable as a food offering to the LORD." — What's striking is that the text emphasizes the animal's dependence on its mother for the first seven days, highlighting its vulnerability and immaturity before it's deemed fit for even God's altar.…
