Deuteronomy 17:1
Thou shalt not sacrifice unto the LORD thy God any bullock, or sheep, wherein is blemish, or any evilfavouredness: for that is an abomination unto the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not sacrifice unto the LORD thy God any bullock, or sheep, wherein is blemish, or any evilfavouredness: for that is an abomination unto the LORD thy God.
The command belongs to the repetition of the law rehearsed by Moses before the Israelites crossed the Jordan River into the promised land, recalling the wonderful things God had done for His people and the chief laws connected with Israel to impress the sacred import of God's holy law and the necessity of keeping it. It forbids sacrificing to God any bull or sheep having blemish or defect, requiring that sacrificial animals be free from blemish, because such an offering is detestable to Him. It shows that God is particular that His people reach a perfect standard of character and that their service and offerings to Him be perfect and without blemish. Its requirement for unblemished animals supports the distinction between sound, healthy animals and diseased or unsuitable meat.