Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

And the Lord spake unto Moses,…. At the same time, as before, in a continued discourse, the subject being of the same kind, relating to sacrifices:

saying, as follows.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

Verses 26-33:

No newly-born animal might be offered as a sacrifice. The law prescribed an eight-day period in which the animal remained with its mother. At any time thereafter, it was acceptable as an offering. There is no age limit given as to when an animal might be offered.

The law included the provision that the mother of the sacrificial animal might not be herself offered in sacrifice on the same day as her offspring. This was an evidence of the kindness of the law. This is like the provision that a kid must not be boiled in its mother’s milk (Ex 23:19), and a mother bird must not be taken from the nest with her young (De 22:6).

Verse 21 refers to two kinds of Peace Offerings: freewill, and or a vow. Verses 29, 30 mention a third: the thanksgiving offering, see Le 7:15.

Verses 31-33 reiterate the holiness of God, which is the basis of the statutes regarding moral, physical, and ceremonial cleanness. These verses close this section, which requires that they obey God’s commandments, show reverence for His Name, and make themselves holy to Him.

Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

(26) And the Lord spake unto Moses.Though beginning with a separate formula, and thus indicating that it is a distinct communication, the regulations here laid down about the age of the sacrificial animals are necessarily connected with the preceding statutes, and exhibit a logical sequence.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

Further Instructions In Respect Of Offerings ( Lev 22:26-30 ).

It is noteworthy that behind all these examples the special idea of thoughtfulness and consideration stands out. God’s people are not to be callous or greedy. They must do what is seemly.

Lev 22:26

‘And Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,’

Again a word of God through Moses.

Lev 22:27

“When a bull ox, or a sheep, or a goat, is born, then it shall be seven days under the dam, and from the eighth day and from then on it shall be accepted for the oblation of an offering made by fire to Yahweh.”

No animal may be offered in sacrifice until it is at least eight days old (compare Exo 22:30). This may be because it is seen as not yet within the covenant (as with a newborn son – Lev 12:3; compare also Lev 19:23) or it may be in order to prevent distress to the mother and not seen as fitting. Or the idea may be that until that ‘perfect period’ has passed it is not really developed enough to be acceptable. All three may in fact be included, with ‘what is fitting’ being especially in mind in view of what follows.

Lev 22:28

“And whether it be cow or ewe, you shall not kill it and its young both in one day.”

A mother and its young should not be slain in sacrifice on the same day. This may have been due to certain pagan practises, or may simply be on the basis of what is seemly. We can compare how a bird and its eggs should not both be taken on the same day (Deu 22:6-7). Having taken the eggs the bird should be allowed to go free. His people were not to be greedy or callous or thoughtless. So must they not kill a cow/ewe and its young on the same day.

Lev 22:29-30

“And when you sacrifice a sacrifice of thanksgiving to Yahweh, you shall sacrifice it that you may be accepted. On the same day it shall be eaten. You shall leave none of it until the morning. I am Yahweh.”

When a peace sacrifice for thanksgiving is offered it must be offered in a way that will be accepted. Especially must it all be eaten on the same day. The thanksgiving should be shared with as many as possible rather than be simply retained for the benefit of the offerer. Thus none must be left until the morning. They must remember Who Yahweh is and how generous He is, and be generous as well.

Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett

By the effect of this law of eight days, it gave opportunity for one sabbath to pass over. Hence it was considered among the Jews that the sabbath sanctified. It might be so on his account, who is LORD of the Sabbath. Mar 2:28 . The precept respecting the dam and its young was at least a great act of mercy; and no doubt carried with it this meaning. Deu 22:6 .

Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

Lev 22:26-33. Concluding Rules for Sacrifice, not specially directed to Aaron, as they concern all persons intending to sacrifice. A calf or lamb or kid offered (as firstborn) is to be kept till the eighth day (cf. the rule of circumcision, Lev 22:12). The law is an ancient one; cf. Exo 22:29 f. (Book of the Covenant), where it is joined with the law of the offering of the first-born which underlies the practice of circumcision. For the prohibition of the sacrifice of cow and calf on the same day, cf. Exo 23:19; perhaps in certain forbidden rites the calf was treated as the kid evidently was. Or the motive may have been similar to that of Deu 22:6. Thank offerings, like peace offerings, are to be offered with a view to acceptance, i.e. with the observance of all the rules. Nothing must be left over to the next day; cf. Lev 7:15, and, for the Passover, Exo 12:10; contrast Lev 7:16; Lev 19:6; also (a more general rule) Exo 23:18, The final exhortation to this section is brief, but it lays its emphasis, now familiar, on the holiness of the whole people, and its connexion with that of Yahweh.

Fuente: Peake’s Commentary on the Bible

The time intervals of sacrifices 22:26-33

Seven additional laws specified the time periods that governed the offering of some sacrifices. The Israelites were not to offer oxen, sheep, and goats as sacrifices before these animals were eight days old (Lev 22:27). It took these animals this long to attain the strength and maturity necessary for them to represent the offerer adequately. The people were not to slay parent animals on the same day as their offspring (Lev 22:28). The reason may have been ". . . to keep sacred the relation which God had established between parent and offspring." [Note: Keil and Delitzsch, 2:437.] Another explanation is that this ruling simply conserved the animal stock that would have become depleted otherwise. [Note: Wenham, The Book . . ., p. 296; and Ross, pp. 393-94.]

Moses repeated reasons for these regulations again (Lev 22:31-33) so the Israelites would know why God instructed them as He did (cf. 1Ti 3:2).

"These chapters like many others in this book form the background to much NT teaching. Christ is both perfect priest (Lev 21:17-23; Heb 7:26) and perfect victim (Lev 22:18-30; Heb 9:14; 1Pe 1:19; 1Pe 2:22). His bride (cf. Lev 21:7-15) is the Church, whom he is sanctifying to make her ’without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish’ (Eph 5:27; cf. Rev 19:7-8; Rev 21:2)." [Note: Wenham, The Book . . ., p. 296.]

"Those who worship the redeeming, sanctifying LORD God must come into his presence with acceptable offerings." [Note: Ross, p. 394.]

Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)