Deuteronomy 17:1

Translations

Modern

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.

Traditional

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.

Literal

You shall not sacrifice to YHWH your God a bull or sheep that has in it a blemish, any serious flaw; for it is an abomination to YHWH your God.

Latin

Non immolabis Domino Deo tuo ovem, et bovem, in quo est macula, aut quippiam vitii: quia abominatio est Domino Deo tuo.

Original

Hebrew

English

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.

Notes

Deuteronomy 17:1

defect or serious flaw: A sick or defective animal was worth very little money. Because of this, offering such an animal to the Lord was not a true sacrifice (compare 15:21).

Deuteronomy 16:18–17:13

The community of Israel, like any nation, needed different kinds of leaders. These leaders helped keep the people united and guided them in the right direction.

The Lord told Moses to set up a proper system of leadership. He also gave clear standards for choosing leaders and explained the duties of each role.

Theme notes and profiles

Ancient Law Codes

Related verses

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.
Deuteronomy 23:18
You must not bring the wages of a prostitute, whether female or male, into the house of the LORD your God to fulfill any vow, because both are detestable to the LORD your God.
Deuteronomy 24:4
…then the husband who divorced her first may not remarry her after she has been defiled, for that is an abomination to the LORD. You must not bring sin upon the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.
Malachi 1:13–14
You also say: ‘Oh, what a nuisance!’ And you turn up your nose at it,” says the LORD of Hosts. “You bring offerings that are stolen, lame, or sick! Should I accept these from your hands?” asks the LORD.
Leviticus 22:20–25
You must not present anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf.
Exodus 12:5
Your lamb must be an unblemished year-old male, and you may take it from the sheep or the goats.
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!
Genesis 41:3–4
After them, seven other cows, sickly and thin, came up from the Nile and stood beside the well-fed cows on the bank of the river.
Genesis 41:19
After them, seven other cows—sickly, ugly, and thin—came up. I have never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt!
Proverbs 15:8
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.

Glossary

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

Topics

Religious Intolerance of Idolatrous Religions, Taught by Moses Sacrifices: Required to be Perfect and Without Blemish

Deuteronomy 17:1

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Translations

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