Old Testament
Leviticus 22:27
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
"When a calf, lamb, or young goat is born, it must stay with its mother for 7 days. From the 8th day on, it may be accepted as a fire offering to the LORD."
Compare translations
When a bullock, or a sheep, or a goat, is brought forth, then it shall be seven days under the dam; and from the eighth day and thenceforth it shall be accepted for an offering made by fire unto the LORD.
What Leviticus 22:27 means
Plain-English insight for readers
This verse outlines a specific guideline for the offering of young animals to God. It states that when a calf, lamb, or young goat is born, it must remain with its mother for the first seven days of its life. This period allows the young animal to bond with its mother and ensures its well-being. After this week, the animal can be offered as a burnt offering to the Lord. This practice emphasizes the importance of care and nurturing in the early stages of life before presenting the animal as a sacrifice. It reflects the broader biblical principle that offerings to God should come from healthy and well-cared-for animals, symbolizing purity and dedication in worship. The instruction also highlights the significance of timing in religious practices, as the eighth day marks the transition from nurturing to sacrificial offering.
How to apply Leviticus 22:27 to your life
This verse encourages us to consider the importance of nurturing and care in our lives. Just as young animals need time with their mothers, we should invest time in our relationships and responsibilities before making significant commitments or sacrifices. It reminds us to prioritize well-being before offering ourselves or our resources to God.
Curated for this public verse page. Leviticus Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Daniel's story: Faithful at the King's Table (Daniel 1:1–21)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Daniel
Photo: Bukvoed, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 4.0. Source. Location: Burj Beitin, Beitin, Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate, West Bank. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Bethel
Where Jacob dreamed of a stairway to heaven and met God.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Leviticus 22:27
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Leviticus 22:27
Related Bible verses
Key themes
At a Glance — the Book of Leviticus
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Moses
- Written
- Around 1400 BC
- Genre
- Law (Pentateuch)
- Original Audience
- The Israelites in the wilderness
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Leviticus 22:27 mean?
Leviticus 22:27 provides guidelines for offering young animals to God, stating they must stay with their mother for seven days before being accepted as a burnt offering. This emphasizes the importance of nurturing and care before making sacrifices.
What is the significance of the seven days in Leviticus 22:27?
The seven days allow young animals to bond with their mothers, ensuring their well-being. This period reflects the biblical principle that offerings should come from healthy and well-cared-for animals.
Why is timing important in Leviticus 22:27?
Timing is important in Leviticus 22:27 because the eighth day marks the transition from nurturing to sacrifice. It highlights the need to ensure the animal is ready and healthy before being offered to God.
How does Leviticus 22:27 relate to our responsibilities today?
Leviticus 22:27 encourages us to prioritize nurturing and care in our lives, suggesting we should invest time in relationships and responsibilities before making significant commitments or sacrifices.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.