Deuteronomy 17 - Introduction

Against Blemished Sacrifices

This law against the use of blemished victims for sacrifice comes naturally after those forbidding the "Asherahand Maṣṣeba, and that against child-sacrifice, Deuteronomy 12:31, for the blemished victim is not merely an irregularity but an abomination to Israel's God, which He hateth: Deuteronomy 12:31; Deuteronomy 16:22. It is also more natural that this general law, Deuteronomy 17:1, should precede, instead of follow, the more special Deuteronomy 15:21. The legislation in J and E has no corresponding law; nor has that in P, where, however, there are frequent statements that the victim must be perfect(e.g. Leviticus 1:3; Leviticus 1:10); but H has a parallel, Leviticus 22:17-25, that gives details of the offerings, the victims and the blemishes to which the law applies; and adds the reason: it is the meat of your God.

a blemish or fault, any ill thing; Deuteronomy 15:21: lame or blind; Leviticus 22: blind, broken, maimed, having sores or scurvy, mutilated, crushed or broken; a bullock or lamb with any part superfluous or lacking may do for a free-will offering, but not for a vow; Malachi 1:8: blind, lame, sick.

abomination See on Deuteronomy 7:25.