SPECIAL TOPIC: WITHOUT DEFECT

Sacrificial animals had to be healthy representatives of their breed. They could not have any physical defect, including

mis-colored
blind
sick
lame
any deformity

See the guidelines in Lev. 22:18-25 and Deut. 15:21. Malachi 1:6-8 shows the kind of abuse that occurred. The animal was a gift of one's best to YHWH.

This perfect example of a breed symbolized innocence and wholeness, which was in contrast to the offerer. Therefore, the animal became a substitute (i.e., the soul that sins, it will surely die, cf. Ezek. 18:4,20). The perfect substitute will be Jesus (cf. Isaiah 53; John 1:29; 2 Cor. 5:21).