Topical Encyclopedia In biblical terminology, the concept of being "blemished" often refers to physical imperfections or defects, particularly in the context of sacrificial offerings and priestly qualifications. The term is primarily used in the Old Testament to describe animals that were not suitable for sacrifice and individuals who were restricted from certain religious duties due to physical imperfections.Sacrificial Offerings The Mosaic Law provided specific instructions regarding the offerings that were to be made to God. A key requirement was that sacrificial animals be without blemish. Leviticus 22:20-21 states, "You must not present anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf. When a man presents a peace offering to the LORD to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering from the herd or flock, it must be without blemish to be acceptable; there must be no defect in it." This requirement underscored the holiness and perfection of God, who deserved the best offerings from His people. The insistence on unblemished offerings symbolized the need for purity and perfection in worship. It foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who is described in the New Testament as the "Lamb of God" without blemish or defect (1 Peter 1:19). Priestly Qualifications The concept of being blemished also applied to the Levitical priesthood. Leviticus 21:17-23 outlines the physical qualifications for priests, stating that no descendant of Aaron with a defect could approach to offer the food of his God. This included blindness, lameness, disfigurement, or any other physical deformity. The purpose of these regulations was to maintain the sanctity and purity of the priestly service, reflecting the perfection and holiness required in the presence of God. Spiritual Implications While the Old Testament emphasizes physical perfection in offerings and priestly service, the New Testament shifts the focus to spiritual purity. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 12:1 , urges believers to present their bodies as a "living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God," which is a spiritual act of worship. This indicates that God desires the inner purity and holiness of His people, rather than mere external compliance. Christ as the Unblemished Sacrifice The ultimate fulfillment of the requirement for an unblemished sacrifice is found in Jesus Christ. Hebrews 9:14 declares, "How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to serve the living God?" Christ's perfect sacrifice provides the means for believers to be cleansed from sin and to stand blameless before God. In summary, the biblical concept of being "blemished" serves as a powerful symbol of the need for purity and perfection in worship and service to God. It points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who, as the unblemished Lamb, fulfills the requirements of the Law and offers redemption to all who believe. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (imp. & p. p.) of Blemish.Strong's Hebrew 7843. shachath -- perhaps to go to ruin... to go to ruin NASB Word Usage act corruptly (4), act...corruptly (1), acted corruptly (3), acted...corruptly (1), acting corruptly (1), blemished animal (1 ... /hebrew/7843.htm - 6k Library Blemished Offerings Expositions of Holy Scripture Argument. --And Thus Unclean Animals are not to be Reproached ... Malachi Our Bodies, However Mutilated Before or after Death, Shall Recover ... An Act of Oblation as a victim of Divine Love The Fifty-Sixth Chapter: we Ought to Deny Ourselves and Imitate ... Of the Life and Miracles of Jesus, and Testimonies Concerning Them ... Letter ccxxvii. (AD 428 or 429. ) That the Poetical License which the Greeks, in Obedience to their ... Thesaurus Blemished (1 Occurrence)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Blemish. Multi-Version Concordance Blemished (1 Occurrence). Malachi 1:14 "But the deceiver ... /b/blemished.htm - 6k Good (8348 Occurrences) Unblemished (11 Occurrences) Lame (35 Occurrences) Eyes (6285 Occurrences) Deceiver (9 Occurrences) Dealeth (22 Occurrences) Diseases (38 Occurrences) Blemishes (3 Occurrences) Cheat (5 Occurrences) Resources How do we bring blemished offerings to God (Malachi 1:8)? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Judas Maccabeus? | GotQuestions.org Questions about Malachi | GotQuestions.org Blemished: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Blemished (1 Occurrence)Malachi 1:14 Subtopics Related Terms |
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