Evil-Favoredness
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Evil-Favoredness in the Bible?
The concept denotes the ritual requirement that sacrificial animals be free from physical defects, blemishes, or signs of weakness, as mandated in Leviticus 22:20-22 and Deuteronomy 17:1.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding this requirement clarifies why specific physical traits were deemed unacceptable for worship, revealing the ancient emphasis on offering the best resources to the divine.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Evil-Favoredness. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Evil-Favoredness in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Evil-Favoredness clarify?
Scripture Passages Mentioned:
Leviticus 22:20-22Deuteronomy 17:1
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Evil-Favoredness." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/evilfavoredness/