In order to qualify as sacred sacrifices for the ancient temple, animals could not have physical blemishes. The law covered both male and female animals: “Whether it be a male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the Lord” (Lev. 3:1, see also v. 6; Ex. 12:5; 29:1).
Deuteronomy 15:21 provides some clarification regarding the nature of the blemishes: “If there be any blemish therein, as if it be lame, or blind, or have any ill blemish, thou shalt not sacrifice it unto the Lord thy God” (see also Deut. 17:1). The unblemished sacrificial animals symbolized Jesus Christ, who was “as . . . a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Pet. 1:19).