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.
Original Language Analysis
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִזְבַּח֩
Thou shalt not sacrifice
H2076
תִזְבַּח֩
Thou shalt not sacrifice
Strong's:
H2076
Word #:
2 of 18
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
יְהוָ֥ה
unto the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
4 of 18
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִֽהְיֶ֥ה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֥ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
8 of 18
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כֹּ֖ל
H3605
כֹּ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
דָּבָ֣ר
H1697
דָּבָ֣ר
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
12 of 18
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
רָ֑ע
or any evilfavouredness
H7451
רָ֑ע
or any evilfavouredness
Strong's:
H7451
Word #:
13 of 18
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
כִּ֧י
H3588
כִּ֧י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
14 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תֽוֹעֲבַ֛ת
for that is an abomination
H8441
תֽוֹעֲבַ֛ת
for that is an abomination
Strong's:
H8441
Word #:
15 of 18
properly, something disgusting (morally), i.e., (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol
יְהוָ֥ה
unto the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
16 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Deuteronomy 15:21And 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 23:18Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God.Malachi 1:8And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.Deuteronomy 24:4Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern sacrificial systems often accepted blemished animals—worshipers kept the best livestock for themselves. Israel's law demanded the opposite: firstborn males, unblemished offerings. This distinguished Yahweh-worship from pagan pragmatism. Post-exilic Judah violated this (Malachi 1), contributing to spiritual decline.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'blemished offerings' might you be giving God—leftover time, minimal effort, second-best resources?
- How does Christ as the unblemished sacrifice redefine what you owe God in worship and obedience?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Thou shalt not sacrifice unto the LORD thy God any bullock, or sheep, wherein is blemish (מוּם, mum)—a defect, flaw, or physical imperfection. Leviticus 22:20-25 elaborates: lameness, blindness, broken bones all disqualify. The Hebrew any evilfavouredness (דָּבָר רָע, davar ra) means 'any bad thing'—even minor flaws.
Why such strictness? Because that is an abomination (תּוֹעֵבָה, to'evah) unto the LORD. Offering defective animals insults God's holiness and reveals contempt, not worship. Malachi 1:8, 13-14 condemns this exact sin: offering blind, lame, sick animals while keeping healthy ones. The principle: God deserves our best, not our leftovers. Christ fulfilled this as the spotless Lamb (1 Peter 1:19).