Leviticus 27: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Leviticus 27 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Yahweh instructs Moses to speak to the children of Israel about consecrating persons in vows (vv. 1-2). The valuation for a male aged twenty to sixty is set at fifty shekels; for a female, it is thirty shekels.

Key verse

“But 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.”
Leviticus 27:8 (WEB)

Outline

Leviticus 27:1–2 Instructions on Vows
Leviticus 27:3–8 Valuations of Persons
Leviticus 27:9–13 Dedication of Animals
Leviticus 27:14–19 Valuation of Houses and Fields
Leviticus 27:20–25 Consequences of Selling or Not Redeeming
Leviticus 27:26–33 Firstborn and Devoted Things
Leviticus 27:34 Summary of Commandments

Discussion questions

In v8, why is the person set before 'the priest' for valuation?
What does 'the priest' use in v12 to value the unclean animal?
In vv. 28-29, what does it mean that 'no devoted thing' can be sold or redeemed?
The mention of 'the fifth part' in vv. 13 and 15: what does this addition signify for redemption?
When have you faced a situation where you had to honor a promise like a vow in v2?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Leviticus 27: Malachi 3, Leviticus 25, Numbers 18.

Before next time: read Numbers 1.