And if there be any blemish therein ,.... 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, Leviticus 22:19 , such were not fit for an holy sacrifice or an holy feast. read more
If there be any blemish - See the notes on Leviticus 22:20 . God will have both a perfect priest and a perfect offering. read more
In Deuteronomy 12:6 , Deuteronomy 12:17 and in Deuteronomy 14:23 , reference is made to sacrificial meals, and to the appropriation of the firstlings of the herds and flocks thereto; Moses here reverts to this, and gives a fuller exposition of it. It is enjoined that, as all the firstborn were to be sanctified to the Lord ( Exodus 13:2-13 ), they were not to work with the firstborn of their cattle, either by yoking the bullock to the plough or wagon or by shearing the sheep: these... read more
The firstlings. The solution of the apparent discrepancy between this passage and Numbers 18:18 seems to lie in the custom of inviting the worshippers to share in the feasts provided by their offerings. View the sanctification of the firstlings as symbolical. 1. Of God ' s claim on the first and choicest of what we have for his own service . 2. Of God ' s right to redeemed life . The firstlings were redeemed by God for himself on the memorable night of the deliverance... read more
The firstlings for God. The firstlings which were males were not to be reared for work, but kept for communion. They were to constitute, if perfect, a peace offering before God; if imperfect, they were to be eaten at home, imperfect fellowship between imperfect persons. Just as in the firstfruits God claimed the first share; so in the case of the firstlings of the herd or flock, and the firstborn among men. I. THE BEGINNINGS OF LIFE SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED AS GIFTS OF ... read more
The first for God. As God is supreme, so his claim to recognition and obedience must have consideration prior to all other claims. Such priority is his indefeasible right; such priority best subserves the interests of men. The first day of the week he claims and hallows; the firstfruits of the soil he claims for religious offering; the first place in our affections he asks as his due; the firstborn, both of man and of beast, he marks as his own. This is his royalty. I. THE ... read more
Sacrifices to be without blemish. A reference to passages in the Books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, will show the frequency with which the injunction here contained was insisted upon, and the importance attached to it. Sacrifices offered to God must be without blemish. The entire Mosaic system of sacrifice was symbolic in relation to the Church that then was, and typical in relation to the Church of the future. We can scarcely miss the teaching of the enactment before us, if only we... read more
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... read more
Firstborn animals (15:19-23)Since the firstborn of all animals belonged to God, people could not use them for their personal benefit (see notes on Exodus 13:1-16). Every firstborn clean animal was sacrificed to God and then eaten by the priests, unless it had some defect. In that case it was used as ordinary meat (19-23; see also Numbers 18:17-18). read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 15:19-29
Here is, 1. A repetition of the law concerning the firstlings of their cattle, that, if they were males, they were to be sanctified to the Lord (Deut. 15:19), in remembrance of, and in thankfulness for, the sparing of the first-born of Israel, when the first-born of the Egyptians, both of man and beast, were slain by the destroying angel (Exod. 13:2, 15); on the eighth day it was to be given to God ( Exod. 22:30), and to be divided between the priest and the altar, Num. 18:17, 18. 2. An... read more