Leviticus 27
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1Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 2“Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, ‘When a man consecrates a person to Yahweh in a vow, according to your valuation, 3your valuation of a male from twenty years old even to sixty years old shall be fifty shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary. 4If she is a female, then your valuation shall be thirty shekels. 5If the person is from five years old even to twenty years old, then your valuation shall be for a male twenty shekels, and for a female ten shekels. 6If the person is from a month old even to five years old, then your valuation shall be for a male five shekels of silver, and for a female your valuation shall be three shekels of silver. 7If the person is from sixty years old and upward; if he is a male, then your valuation shall be fifteen shekels, and for a female ten shekels. 8But if he is poorer than your valuation, then he shall be set before the priest, and the priest shall assign a value to him. The priest shall assign a value according to his ability to pay. 9“‘If it is an animal, of which men offer an offering to Yahweh, all that any man gives of such to Yahweh becomes holy. 10He 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 animal for animal, then both it and that for which it is changed shall be holy. 11If it is any unclean animal, of which they do not offer as an offering to Yahweh, then he shall set the animal before the priest; 12and the priest shall value it, whether it is good or bad. As you the priest values it, so shall it be. 13But if he will indeed redeem it, then he shall add the fifth part of it to its valuation. 14“‘When a man dedicates his house to be holy to Yahweh, then the priest shall evaluate it, whether it is good or bad: as the priest shall evaluate it, so shall it stand. 15If he who dedicates it will redeem his house, then he shall add the fifth part of the money of your valuation to it, and it shall be his. 16“‘If a man dedicates to Yahweh part of the field of his possession, then your valuation shall be according to the seed for it. The sowing of a homer of barley shall be valued at fifty shekels of silver. 17If he dedicates his field from the Year of Jubilee, according to your valuation it shall stand. 18But if he dedicates his field after the Jubilee, then the priest shall reckon to him the money according to the years that remain to the Year of Jubilee; and an abatement shall be made from your valuation. 19If he who dedicated the field will indeed redeem it, then he shall add the fifth part of the money of your valuation to it, and it shall remain his. 20If he will not redeem the field, or if he has sold the field to another man, it shall not be redeemed any more; 21but the field, when it goes out in the Jubilee, shall be holy to Yahweh, as a devoted field. It shall be owned by the priests. 22“‘If he dedicates a field to Yahweh which he has bought, which is not of the field of his possession, 23then the priest shall reckon to him the worth of your valuation up to the Year of Jubilee; and he shall give your valuation on that day, as a holy thing to Yahweh. 24In the Year of Jubilee the field shall return to him from whom it was bought, even to him to whom the possession of the land belongs. 25All your valuations shall be according to the shekel of the sanctuary: twenty gerahs to the shekel. 26“‘Only the firstborn among animals, which is made Yahweh’s firstborn, no man may dedicate; whether an ox or a sheep. It is Yahweh’s. 27If it is an unclean animal, then he shall buy it back according to your valuation, and shall add to it the fifth part of it; or if it isn’t redeemed, then it shall be sold according to your valuation. 28“‘Notwithstanding, no devoted thing, that a man shall devote to Yahweh of all that he has, whether of man or animal, or of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed. Everything devoted to destruction is most holy to Yahweh. 29“‘No one devoted, who shall be devoted from among men, shall be ransomed; he shall surely be put to death. 30“‘All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is Yahweh’s. It is holy to Yahweh. 31If a man redeems anything of his tithe, he shall add a fifth part to it. 32All the tithe of the herds or the flocks, whatever passes under the rod, the tenth shall be holy to Yahweh. 33He shall not search whether it is good or bad, neither shall he change it. If he changes it at all, then both it and that for which it is changed shall be holy. It shall not be redeemed.’” 34These are the commandments which Yahweh commanded Moses for the children of Israel on Mount Sinai.
World English Bible (public domain)
“But if he is too poor to pay the valuation, then he shall be made to stand before the priest, and the priest shall value him; the priest shall value him according to what the vower can afford.”
Leviticus 27:8
Summary
Leviticus chapter 27 provides the Israelites with guidelines concerning vows and the valuation of people and property dedicated to the Lord. The chapter begins by explaining how individuals can make vows to dedicate themselves or their possessions to God, emphasizing the importance of honoring such commitments. Specific valuations are provided for both men and women based on age and gender, illustrating how value is assigned in the community for offerings made to the sanctuary. Additionally, the chapter addresses the dedication of animals and fields, laying out rules for redemption and the consequences of unfulfilled vows. This chapter highlights the seriousness of making a promise to God and the importance of fulfilling one's commitments in faith.
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Chapter outline
How Leviticus 27 unfolds
Leviticus 27:1–2 Instructions on Vows
Yahweh instructs Moses to communicate to the Israelites about making vows to God, particularly regarding consecrations.
Leviticus 27:3–8 Valuations of Persons
Valuations for dedicated persons are specified based on age and gender, with provisions for those unable to meet the valuation.
Leviticus 27:9–13 Dedication of Animals
Guidelines for dedicating animals to Yahweh are provided, emphasizing the sanctity of such offerings and redemption options.
Leviticus 27:14–19 Valuation of Houses and Fields
The chapter details the valuation process for houses and fields dedicated to Yahweh, including redemption rules and Year of Jubilee implications.
Leviticus 27:20–25 Consequences of Selling or Not Redeeming
Consequences for failing to redeem dedicated fields are outlined, including their eventual return to the original owner during the Jubilee.
Leviticus 27:26–33 Firstborn and Devoted Things
The chapter clarifies that the firstborn animals cannot be dedicated, and sets strict guidelines for devoted items and tithes.
Leviticus 27:34 Summary of Commandments
The chapter concludes with a statement affirming that these commandments were given to Moses for the Israelites.
Key verses
Leviticus 27:8Leviticus 27:8 underscores the chapter's weight by illustrating God's compassion toward those unable to fulfill their vows.
Main themes in Leviticus 27
Dedication to God
The theme of dedication to God surfaces prominently in verses 2-8, as the chapter provides guidelines for individuals making vows and dedicating their possessions to Yahweh. It emphasizes the importance of these commitments, showing how they reflect one's relationship with God and contribute to the community's worship practices. Overall, the chapter calls for an authentic and sincere dedication, reminding readers that their lives and belongings should be offered in genuine devotion to God.
Value and Worth
Value and worth are central to the valuations outlined in verses 3-8 and 14-25. These valuations serve as a means to assess what is dedicated to God, reflecting the community's views on worth. This brings a structured approach to understanding how offerings are perceived in terms of their significance to God.
Vows and Commitments
Vows and commitments are central to Leviticus 27, particularly in verses 2-8, where the significance of personal dedication is clearly articulated. The chapter outlines the serious nature of these promises, emphasizing that unfulfilled vows carry consequences that reflect one's accountability to God. This focus on vows underscores the profound responsibility individuals have in honoring their commitments, thus fostering a culture of integrity and faithfulness within the Israelite community.
Redemption and Grace
The concepts of redemption and grace are illustrated in verses 8, 13, and 19, highlighting provisions for those who cannot fulfill their vows. By allowing for the redemption of dedicated items, the chapter reveals God's compassionate nature and understanding of human limitations. This theme of grace within a legal context serves to remind the Israelites that while they are called to commitment, God also provides a means for reconciliation and forgiveness when they fall short.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Leviticus 27
- Malachi 3This passage connects with the call to bring offerings and the implications of tithing to God.
- Leviticus 25The concept of the Year of Jubilee in this chapter echoes the broader themes of land and ownership found here.
- Numbers 18Connects through its instructions on priestly duties regarding offerings and tithes presented to God.
- Leviticus 5Develops the theme of atonement and the necessity of fulfilling obligations through the listed offerings.
- Exodus 13Echoes the theme of consecration and dedication of firstborn animals to God.
- Numbers 3Connects with the instructions regarding the consecration and valuation of the firstborn among the Levites.
Study questions
Questions for studying Leviticus 27
- What types of valuations are given for different ages in this chapter?
- How does the chapter address the situation of a poor person making a vow?
- What happens to fields dedicated to Yahweh if not redeemed?
- How are animals treated differently based on their cleanliness status?
- What implications does the Year of Jubilee have on dedicated fields?
- In what ways does this chapter emphasize the importance of vows to God?
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