Blemish

A mark or stain which spoils something or lessens its value. The term is often used symbolically to refer to sin. The OT sacrificial system specified that only unblemished animals should be sacrificed.

A blemish is ritually unacceptable

In animals to be sacrified

Deuteronomy 15:21; Malachi 1:13–14 See also Exodus 12:5; Leviticus 22:20–25; Deuteronomy 17:1

But if an animal has a defect, is lame or blind, or has any serious flaw, you must not sacrifice it to the LORD your God.

You also say: ‘Oh, what a nuisance!’ And you turn up your nose at it,” says the LORD of Hosts. “You bring offerings that are stolen, lame, or sick! Should I accept these from your hands?” asks the LORD. “But cursed is the deceiver who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but sacrifices a defective animal to the Lord. For I am a great King,” says the LORD of Hosts, “and My name is to be feared among the nations.[’’]

In priests offering sacrifices

Leviticus 21:17–23

“Say to Aaron, ‘For the generations to come, none of your descendants who has a physical defect may approach to offer the food of his God. No man who has any defect may approach — no man who is blind, lame, disfigured, or deformed; no man who has a broken foot or hand, or who is a hunchback or dwarf, or who has an eye defect, a festering rash, scabs, or a crushed testicle. No descendant of Aaron the priest who has a defect shall approach to present the food offerings to the LORD. Since he has a defect, he is not to come near to offer the food of his God. He may eat the most holy food of his God as well as the holy food, but because he has a defect, he must not go near the veil or approach the altar, so as not to desecrate My sanctuaries. For I am the LORD who sanctifies them.’”

A blemish or stain as a symbol of sin

Jeremiah 2:22 See also Isaiah 59:3; Jude 1:23

Although you wash with lye and use an abundance of soap, the stain of your guilt is still before Me,” declares the Lord GOD.

Sinful people represented as blemishes

2 Peter 2:13 See also Jude 1:12

The harm they will suffer is the wages of their wickedness. They consider it a pleasure to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their deception as they feast with you.

Without blemish: physical or moral perfection

Absalom

2 Samuel 14:25

Daniel and his companions

Daniel 1:3–4

Jesus Christ

1 Peter 1:18–19 See also Hebrews 9:12–14

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot.

The church

Ephesians 5:27 See also Colossians 1:22

and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.