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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:1-7

Here is, I. A law for preserving the honour of God's worship, by providing that no creature that had any blemish should be offered in sacrifice to him, Deut. 17:1. This caveat we have often met with: Thou shalt not sacrifice that which has any blemish, which renders it unsightly, or any evil matter or thing (as the following word night better be rendered), any sickness or weakness, though not discernible at first view; it is an abomination to God. God is the best of beings, and therefore... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:1

Thou shalt not sacrifice unto the Lord thy God any bullock or sheep wherein is blemish ,.... No sacrifice of any sort, whether burnt offering, sin offering, or peace offering, was to have any blemish in it; typical of the unblemished and immaculate Lamb of God, who, being without sin, offered himself without spot to God, and so could take away the sins of others by the sacrifice of himself; see Leviticus 22:18 , or any evilfavouredness ; any sickness or disease upon it of any sort,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 17:1

Wherein is blemish - God must not have that offered to him which thou wouldst not use thyself. This not only refers to the perfect sacrifice offered by Christ Jesus, but to that sincerity and uprightness of heart which God requires in all those who approach him in the way of worship. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:1

EXPOSITION SACRIFICES TO BE OF ANIMALS UNBLEMISHED . IDOLATERS TO BE SOUGHT OUT , CONVICTED , AND PUT TO DEATH . THE HIGHER JUDICIAL COURT AT THE SANCTUARY . ELECTION DUTY OF A KING . Not only was the setting up of idols an offence to be punished by the judge, but also all profanation of the service of Jehovah, such as the offering in sacrifice of any animal, bullock or sheep, that had any blemish or defect (cf. Le Deuteronomy... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:1

(See Homily, Deuteronomy 15:21 , on "Sacrifices to be without blemish.") read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:1

The blemished. I. THE PRINCIPLE INVOLVED . God is to be served with our best. He rejects the blemished for his service. 1. He is entitled to our best. 2. He requires it of us. 3. Withholding it argues unworthy views of God and of what is due to him. It usually implies contempt of God and hypocrisy in his service ( Malachi 1:12 , Malachi 1:13 ). II. APPLICATIONS OF THE PRINCIPLE . God is to receive from us: 1. The best of our time—when the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:1

The prevention of religious fraud. Men who pride themselves on honesty towards their fellows are often dishonest in dealing with God. They are punctual in observing appointments with men; they are unpunctual in reaching the house of God. When the principle of piety in a man is weakened, he will stoop to many artifices to deprive God of his due. I. AN IMPERFECT SACRIFICE SPRINGS FROM BLIND PARSIMONY . When piety declines, a man becomes the slave of his senses. He is moved... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 17:1-7

Idolatry a capital crime. The closing verses of last chapter prohibiting groves near God's altar may be taken in connection with the verses now before us as constituting the solemn prohibition of idolatry. God will not have any rival, either sun, moon, or any of the host of heaven, not to speak of the more miserable idolatries of things on earth; he makes idolatry a capital crime, and decrees death as its penalty. This brings out the enormity of the sin in the eyes of God; and it does not... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 17:1

This verse belongs in subject to the last chapter. It prohibits once more (compare Deuteronomy 15:21) that form of insult to God which consists in offering to Him a blemished sacrifice.Any evil-favoredness - Render any evil thing. The reference is to the faults or maims enumerated in Leviticus 22:22-24. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Deuteronomy 17:1

Deuteronomy 17:1. Having spoken of the principal services and offerings prescribed in the law for preventing the Israelites from idolatrous practices, Moses interposes a caution against neglect or profaneness in their own worship of the true God; which might be committed by offering any beast to him that had a disease, blemish, or defect in it. See in Leviticus 1:3. Bullock or sheep Either greater or smaller sacrifices, all being comprehended under the two most eminent kinds. All that God... read more

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