17 Then the Lord spoke to Moses , saying , 18 "Speak to Aaron and to his sons and to all the sons of Israel and say to them, ' Any man of the house of Israel or of the aliens in Israel who presents his offering , whether it is any of their votive or any of their freewill offerings , which they present to the Lord for a burnt offering - 19 for you to be accepted -it must be a male without defect from the cattle , the sheep , or the goats . 20 ' Whatever e has a defect , you shall not offer , for it will not be accepted for you. 21 'When a man offers a sacrifice of peace offerings to the Lord to fulfill a special vow or for a freewill offering , of the herd or of the flock , it must be perfect to be accepted ; there shall be no e defect in it. 22 'Those that are blind or fractured or maimed or having a running sore or eczema or scabs , you shall not offer to the Lord , nor make of them an offering by fire on the altar to the Lord . 23 'In respect to an ox or a lamb which has an overgrown or stunted member, you may present it for a freewill offering , but for a vow it will not be accepted . 24 'Also anything with its testicles bruised or crushed or torn or cut , you shall not offer to the Lord , or sacrifice in your land , 25 nor shall you accept any e such from the hand of a foreigner e for offering as the food of your God ; for their corruption is in them, they have a defect , they shall not be accepted for you.' " 26 Then the Lord spoke to Moses , saying , 27 "When an ox or a sheep or a goat is born , it shall remain seven days with its mother , and from the eighth day on it shall be accepted as a sacrifice of an offering by fire to the Lord . 28 " But, whether it is an ox or a sheep , you shall not kill both it and its young in one day . 29 "When you sacrifice a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Lord , you shall sacrifice it so that you may be accepted . 30 "It shall be eaten on the same day , you shall leave none of it until morning ; I am the Lord . 31 " So you shall keep My commandments , and do them; I am the Lord . 32 "You shall not profane My holy name , but I will be sanctified among the sons of Israel ; I am the Lord who sanctifies you, 33 who brought you out from the land of Egypt , to be your God ; I am the Lord ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Leviticus 22:17-33
Chapter Contents
Laws concerning the priests and sacrifices.
In this chapter we have divers laws concerning the priests and sacrifices, all for preserving the honour of the sanctuary. Let us recollect with gratitude that our great High Priest cannot be hindered by any thing from the discharge of his office. Let us also remember, that the Lord requires us to reverence his name, his truths, his ordinances, and commandments. Let us beware of hypocrisy, and examine ourselves concerning our sinful defilements, seeking to be purified from them in the blood of Christ, and by his sanctifying Spirit. Whoever attempts to expiate his own sin, or draws near in the pride of self-righteousness, puts as great an affront on Christ, as he who comes to the Lord's table from the gratification of sinful lusts. Nor can the minister who loves the souls of the people, suffer them to continue in this dangerous delusion. He must call upon them, not only to repent of their sins, and forsake them; but to put their whole trust in the atonement of Christ, by faith in his name, for pardon and acceptance with God; thus only will the Lord make them holy, as his own people.