1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When a man shall make a singular vow, the persons [shall be] for the LORD by thy estimation.
3 And thy estimation shall be of the male from twenty years old even unto sixty years old, even thy estimation shall be fifty shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary.
4 And if it [be] a female, then thy estimation shall be thirty shekels.
5 And if [it be] from five years old even unto twenty years old, then thy estimation shall be of the male twenty shekels, and for the female ten shekels.
6 And if [it be] from a month old even unto five years old, then thy estimation shall be of the male five shekels of silver, and for the female thy estimation [shall be] three shekels of silver.
7 And if [it be] from sixty years old and above; if [it be] a male, then thy estimation shall be fifteen shekels, and for the female ten shekels.
8 But if he be poorer than thy estimation, then he shall present himself before the priest, and the priest shall value him; according to his ability that vowed shall the priest value him.
9 And if [it be] a beast, whereof men bring an offering unto the LORD, all that [any man] giveth of such unto the LORD shall be holy.
10 He shall not alter it, nor change it, a good for a bad, or a bad for a good: and if he shall at all change beast for beast, then it and the exchange thereof shall be holy.
11 And if [it be] any unclean beast, of which they do not offer a sacrifice unto the LORD, then he shall present the beast before the priest:
12 And the priest shall value it, whether it be good or bad: as thou valuest it, [who art] the priest, so shall it be.
13 But if he will at all redeem it, then he shall add a fifth [part] thereof unto thy estimation.
14 And when a man shall sanctify his house [to be] holy unto the LORD, then the priest shall estimate it, whether it be good or bad: as the priest shall estimate it, so shall it stand.
15 And if he that sanctified it will redeem his house, then he shall add the fifth [part] of the money of thy estimation unto it, and it shall be his.
16 And if a man shall sanctify unto the LORD [some part] of a field of his possession, then thy estimation shall be according to the seed thereof: an homer of barley seed [shall be valued] at fifty shekels of silver.
17 If he sanctify his field from the year of jubile, according to thy estimation it shall stand.
18 But if he sanctify his field after the jubile, then the priest shall reckon unto him the money according to the years that remain, even unto the year of the jubile, and it shall be abated from thy estimation.
19 And if he that sanctified the field will in any wise redeem it, then he shall add the fifth [part] of the money of thy estimation unto it, and it shall be assured to him.
20 And if he will not redeem the field, or if he have sold the field to another man, it shall not be redeemed any more.
21 But the field, when it goeth out in the jubile, shall be holy unto the LORD, as a field devoted; the possession thereof shall be the priest’s.
22 And if [a man] sanctify unto the LORD a field which he hath bought, which [is] not of the fields of his possession;
23 Then the priest shall reckon unto him the worth of thy estimation, [even] unto the year of the jubile: and he shall give thine estimation in that day, [as] a holy thing unto the LORD.
24 In the year of the jubile the field shall return unto him of whom it was bought, [even] to him to whom the possession of the land [did belong].
25 And all thy estimations shall be according to the shekel of the sanctuary: twenty gerahs shall be the shekel.
26 Only the firstling of the beasts, which should be the LORD’S firstling, no man shall sanctify it; whether [it be] ox, or sheep: it [is] the LORD’S.
27 And if [it be] of an unclean beast, then he shall redeem [it] according to thine estimation, and shall add a fifth [part] of it thereto: or if it be not redeemed, then it shall be sold according to thy estimation.
28 Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall devote unto the LORD of all that he hath, [both] of man and beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed: every devoted thing [is] most holy unto the LORD.
29 None devoted, which shall be devoted of men, shall be redeemed; [but] shall surely be put to death.
30 And all the tithe of the land, [whether] of the seed of the land, [or] of the fruit of the tree, [is] the LORD’S: [it is] holy unto the LORD.
31 And if a man will at all redeem [ought] of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth [part] thereof.
32 And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, [even] of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD.
33 He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he change it at all, then both it and the change thereof shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.
34 These [are] the commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses for the children of Israel in mount Sinai.
Overview of Leviticus Chapter 27
Leviticus Chapter 27 provides guidelines regarding vows and the valuation of individuals and property dedicated to the Lord. This chapter emphasizes the importance of commitment to God and the consequences of making vows. It also outlines the procedures for redeeming dedicated items and the implications of dedicating animals, houses, and fields.
Key Themes
- Vows and Dedications
- Valuation of Individuals
- Redemption of Dedicated Items
- Consequences of Unfulfilled Vows
Detailed Analysis
1. Vows and Dedications (Verses 1-8)
The chapter begins with instructions on how to handle vows made to the Lord. Individuals who wish to dedicate themselves or their possessions must follow specific guidelines.
- Valuation of Persons: The text specifies different valuations based on age and gender. For example, males between the ages of 20 and 60 are valued higher than females or children.
- Importance of Intent: The act of dedicating oneself to God is presented as a serious commitment, emphasizing the need for sincerity and intention behind the vow.
2. Valuation of Animals (Verses 9-13)
In this section, the chapter addresses the dedication of animals. It provides clear guidelines on how to deal with animals that are offered to God.
- Clean vs. Unclean Animals: Clean animals can be offered as sacrifices, while unclean animals cannot be dedicated. If an unclean animal is dedicated, it must be redeemed at a specified valuation.
- Redemption Process: If someone wishes to redeem a dedicated animal, they must pay its value plus an additional fifth of its worth.
3. Dedication of Houses and Fields (Verses 14-25)
The chapter continues with instructions on dedicating houses and fields. It provides a framework for valuing these properties based on their productivity and location.
- Houses: When a house is dedicated, its value is assessed, and the owner has the option to redeem it by paying the assessed value plus a fifth.
- Fields: The valuation of fields is based on the amount of seed required for planting. The chapter outlines how fields can be redeemed and the implications of dedicating them.
4. Special Cases and Permanent Dedications (Verses 26-34)
This section discusses exceptions to the valuation rules, particularly regarding firstborn animals and the concept of permanent dedication.
- Firstborn Animals: The firstborn of clean animals is considered holy and cannot be dedicated or redeemed.
- Permanence of Dedication: Items dedicated to God cannot be sold or redeemed if they are deemed permanently dedicated.
Conclusion
Leviticus Chapter 27 serves as a comprehensive guide for the Israelites on how to approach vows and dedications to God. It highlights the seriousness of making commitments and the structured process for valuing and redeeming dedicated items. This chapter reinforces the notion of accountability in one’s relationship with God and the importance of fulfilling promises made to Him.
