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Deuteronomy 15:21

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 15:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And if it have any blemish, [as if it be] lame or blind, any ill blemish whatsoever, thou shalt not sacrifice it unto Jehovah thy God.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And if it have any blemish, [as if it be] lame or blind, any ill blemish whatsoever, thou shalt not sacrifice it unto Jehovah thy God.
Deuteronomy 15:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 15

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18It shall not seem hard unto thee, when thou lettest him go free from thee; for to the double of the hire of a hireling hath he served thee six years: and Jehovah thy God will bless thee in all that thou doest.
19All the firstling males that are born of thy herd and of thy flock thou shalt sanctify unto Jehovah thy God: thou shalt do no work with the firstling of thy herd, nor shear the firstling of thy flock.
20Thou shalt eat it before Jehovah thy God year by year in the place which Jehovah shall choose, thou and thy household.
21And if it have any blemish, [as if it be] lame or blind, any ill blemish whatsoever, thou shalt not sacrifice it unto Jehovah thy God.
22Thou shalt eat it within thy gates: the unclean and the clean [shall eat it] alike, as the gazelle, and as the hart.
23Only thou shalt not eat the blood thereof; thou shalt pour it out upon the ground as water.
← Deuteronomy 15:20Deuteronomy 15:22 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And if there be any blemish therein, etc.] In the firstling, as if it be “lame or blind”, or have any ill blemish: thou shall not sacrifice it unto the Lord thy God; blemishes in any beast made it unfit for sacrifices which were required; and so all peace offerings, vows, and freewill offerings, were to be free from any, (<032219>Leviticus 22:19-24 <390114>Malachi 1:14), such were not fit for an holy sacrifice or an holy feast.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Compare Exodus 13:11 ff. The directions of the preceding legislation (see Numbers 18:15 ff) are here assumed, with the injunction added, that the animals thus set apart to God Deuteronomy 15:19 were not to be used by their owners for their earthly purposes. It is further allowed that firstborn animals which had a blemish should be regarded as exceptions, and instead of being given to God might be used as food Deuteronomy 15:21-22. The application of the firstborn of cattle is here directed as in Deuteronomy 12:6, Deuteronomy 12:17; Deuteronomy 14:23 : they are to be consumed in the sacred Feasts at the sanctuary. return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“15:21 A defect was any imperfection that devalued an animal; it was no sacrifice to give up something that was of little or no worth to begin with (2 Sam 24:24).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Deu 17:1; Lev 22:20, Lev 22:24; Mal 1:7, Mal 1:8 Deuteronomy 15:22”
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Related study paths

Read Deuteronomy 15 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification