Leviticus 27 Study Notes
General
How was a family field valued when a man dedicated it to the LORD (27:16-18)?
Answer: By the amount of seed needed to sow it, at 50 shekels per homer of barley sown
When someone dedicated part of his family land to the LORD, its value was based on how much seed it took to plant it: fifty silver shekels for each homer (a large dry measure) of barley seed (27:16). If he dedicated it right at the Jubilee, the full value stood; if later, the priest reduced the price according to how many years remained before the next Jubilee (27:17-18). This follows the same logic as land sales in chapter 25, where a price depended on the harvests remaining before the Jubilee (Leviticus 25:15-16). Since the land belonged to God (Leviticus 25:23) and went back to its families at the Jubilee, its value was always measured by the time left in that cycle.
- Leviticus 27:16-18 (BSB)“If a man consecrates to the LORD a parcel of his land, then your valuation shall be proportional to the seed required for it—fifty shekels of silver for every homer of barley seed. If he consecrates his field during the Year of Jubilee, the price will stand according to your valuation. But if he consecrates his field after the Jubilee, the priest is to calculate the price in proportion to the years left until the next Year of Jubilee, so that your valuation will be reduced.”A dedicated family field is valued by the seed it needs, at fifty shekels per homer of barley seed, prorated by the years left until the next Jubilee.
- Leviticus 25:15-16 (BSB)“You are to buy from your neighbor according to the number of years since the last Jubilee; he is to sell to you according to the number of harvest years remaining. You shall increase the price in proportion to a greater number of years, or decrease it in proportion to a lesser number of years; for he is selling you a given number of harvests.”Land sales in Israel were likewise priced by the number of harvest years left before the Jubilee.
- Leviticus 25:23 (BSB)“The land must not be sold permanently, because it is Mine, and you are but foreigners and residents with Me.”The land belonged to God and could not be sold permanently.
Theological
On what basis does Leviticus 27:16-18 value a portion of one's inherited land consecrated to God?
Answer: By its seed requirement, 50 shekels per homer of barley sown
A consecrated portion of patrimonial land is valued by its seed requirement, fifty shekels per homer of barley sown (27:16); dedicated in the Jubilee year the full valuation stands, but afterward the priest prorates it by the years remaining until the next Jubilee (27:17-18). The method mirrors the pricing of land sales by the harvests left before the Jubilee (Leviticus 25:15-16) and rests on the same premise, that the land is the LORD's (Leviticus 25:23).
- Leviticus 27:16-18 (BSB)“If a man consecrates to the LORD a parcel of his land, then your valuation shall be proportional to the seed required for it—fifty shekels of silver for every homer of barley seed. If he consecrates his field during the Year of Jubilee, the price will stand according to your valuation. But if he consecrates his field after the Jubilee, the priest is to calculate the price in proportion to the years left until the next Year of Jubilee, so that your valuation will be reduced.”A dedicated family field is valued by the seed it needs, at fifty shekels per homer of barley seed, prorated by the years left until the next Jubilee.
- Leviticus 25:15-16 (BSB)“You are to buy from your neighbor according to the number of years since the last Jubilee; he is to sell to you according to the number of harvest years remaining. You shall increase the price in proportion to a greater number of years, or decrease it in proportion to a lesser number of years; for he is selling you a given number of harvests.”Land sales in Israel were likewise priced by the number of harvest years left before the Jubilee.
- Leviticus 25:23 (BSB)“The land must not be sold permanently, because it is Mine, and you are but foreigners and residents with Me.”The land belonged to God and could not be sold permanently.
General
What made something a person devoted to God different from the other dedicated things in this chapter (27:28-29)?
Answer: It was most holy and could never be sold or bought back
Many things dedicated to God in this chapter could be redeemed, or bought back, by paying their value plus a fifth. Something devoted was different. Whether a person, an animal, or family land, anything a man devoted in this way was most holy, meaning set apart for God in the highest degree, and could never be sold or bought back (27:28). A person devoted to destruction could not be ransomed and was to be executed (27:29). In Scripture this language of devotion to destruction is used for those under God's judgment, such as the city of Jericho (Joshua 6:17-18). Devoted goods went to the priests (Numbers 18:14), and taking what had been devoted brought serious judgment, as Achan's sin showed (Joshua 7:1).
- Leviticus 27:28-29 (BSB)“Nothing that a man sets apart to the LORD from all he owns—whether a man, an animal, or his inherited land—can be sold or redeemed; everything so devoted is most holy to the LORD. No person set apart for destruction may be ransomed; he must surely be put to death.”Anything a man devotes to the LORD is most holy and can be neither sold nor redeemed; a person devoted to destruction may not be ransomed.
- Numbers 18:14 (BSB)“Every devoted thing in Israel belongs to you.”Devoted things in Israel belonged to the priests.
- Joshua 6:17-18 (BSB)“Now the city and everything in it must be devoted to the LORD for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all those with her in her house will live, because she hid the spies we sent. But keep away from the things devoted to destruction, lest you yourself be set apart for destruction. If you take any of these, you will set apart the camp of Israel for destruction and bring disaster upon it.”Jericho was devoted to the LORD for destruction, and Israel was warned not to take anything devoted.
- Joshua 7:1 (BSB)“The Israelites, however, acted unfaithfully regarding the things devoted to destruction. Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of what was set apart. So the anger of the LORD burned against the Israelites.”Achan's taking of devoted things brought the LORD's anger on Israel, showing how seriously the ban was treated.
Theological
How does the status of a devoted thing in Leviticus 27:28-29 differ from other dedicated property?
Answer: Most holy and irrevocable, neither saleable nor redeemable
Unlike much vowed or consecrated property, which could be redeemed at its valuation plus a fifth, whatever is so devoted, whether person, animal, or inherited land, is most holy and can be neither sold nor redeemed (27:28); a person devoted to destruction may not be ransomed but must be executed (27:29). Scripture applies this category of devotion to destruction to those under God's judicial sentence, as with Jericho (Joshua 6:17-18). Devoted property belonged to the priests (Numbers 18:14), and violation of the ban, as in Achan's case, brought divine wrath on Israel (Joshua 7:1).
- Leviticus 27:28-29 (BSB)“Nothing that a man sets apart to the LORD from all he owns—whether a man, an animal, or his inherited land—can be sold or redeemed; everything so devoted is most holy to the LORD. No person set apart for destruction may be ransomed; he must surely be put to death.”Anything a man devotes to the LORD is most holy and can be neither sold nor redeemed; a person devoted to destruction may not be ransomed.
- Numbers 18:14 (BSB)“Every devoted thing in Israel belongs to you.”Devoted things in Israel belonged to the priests.
- Joshua 6:17-18 (BSB)“Now the city and everything in it must be devoted to the LORD for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all those with her in her house will live, because she hid the spies we sent. But keep away from the things devoted to destruction, lest you yourself be set apart for destruction. If you take any of these, you will set apart the camp of Israel for destruction and bring disaster upon it.”Jericho was devoted to the LORD for destruction, and Israel was warned not to take anything devoted.
- Joshua 7:1 (BSB)“The Israelites, however, acted unfaithfully regarding the things devoted to destruction. Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of what was set apart. So the anger of the LORD burned against the Israelites.”Achan's taking of devoted things brought the LORD's anger on Israel, showing how seriously the ban was treated.
General
Why could no one dedicate a firstborn animal as a special gift to God (27:26)?
Answer: Because the firstborn already belonged to the LORD
No one could vow or dedicate a firstborn ox or sheep as if it were a special gift, because every firstborn already belonged to the LORD (27:26). You cannot give God what is already His. God had claimed the firstborn of both people and animals (Exodus 13:2), a claim rooted in the Passover, when He struck down Egypt's firstborn and spared Israel's (Exodus 13:15). A firstborn from an unclean animal, one not fit for sacrifice, could be redeemed by paying its value plus a fifth, or else it was sold (27:27), in line with the command to redeem unclean firstborn animals (Numbers 18:15).
- Leviticus 27:26-27 (BSB)“But no one may consecrate a firstborn of the livestock, because a firstborn belongs to the LORD. Whether it is an ox or a sheep, it is the LORD’s. But if it is among the unclean animals, then he may redeem it according to your valuation and add a fifth of its value. If it is not redeemed, then it shall be sold according to your valuation.”A firstborn animal cannot be dedicated because it already belongs to the LORD; an unclean firstborn may be redeemed with an added fifth or else sold.
- Exodus 13:2 (BSB)““Consecrate to Me every firstborn male. The firstborn from every womb among the Israelites belongs to Me, both of man and beast.””God claimed every firstborn, of people and animals, as His own.
- Exodus 13:15 (BSB)“And when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both of man and beast. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb, but I redeem all the firstborn of my sons.’”The firstborn belonged to God because He struck down Egypt's firstborn when He freed Israel.
- Numbers 18:15 (BSB)“The firstborn of every womb, whether man or beast, that is offered to the LORD belongs to you. But you must surely redeem every firstborn son and every firstborn male of unclean animals.”The firstborn of unclean animals was to be redeemed.
Theological
Why does Leviticus 27:26 forbid consecrating a firstborn animal by vow?
Answer: The firstborn already belonged to the LORD
A firstborn ox or sheep cannot be consecrated by vow because it is already the LORD's (27:26); one cannot dedicate what God already owns. The claim goes back to the consecration of every firstborn of people and animals (Exodus 13:2), grounded in the LORD's slaying of Egypt's firstborn at the exodus (Exodus 13:15). An unclean firstborn may be redeemed at its valuation plus a fifth or otherwise sold (27:27), consistent with the requirement to redeem the firstborn of unclean animals (Numbers 18:15).
- Leviticus 27:26-27 (BSB)“But no one may consecrate a firstborn of the livestock, because a firstborn belongs to the LORD. Whether it is an ox or a sheep, it is the LORD’s. But if it is among the unclean animals, then he may redeem it according to your valuation and add a fifth of its value. If it is not redeemed, then it shall be sold according to your valuation.”A firstborn animal cannot be dedicated because it already belongs to the LORD; an unclean firstborn may be redeemed with an added fifth or else sold.
- Exodus 13:2 (BSB)““Consecrate to Me every firstborn male. The firstborn from every womb among the Israelites belongs to Me, both of man and beast.””God claimed every firstborn, of people and animals, as His own.
- Exodus 13:15 (BSB)“And when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both of man and beast. This is why I sacrifice to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb, but I redeem all the firstborn of my sons.’”The firstborn belonged to God because He struck down Egypt's firstborn when He freed Israel.
- Numbers 18:15 (BSB)“The firstborn of every womb, whether man or beast, that is offered to the LORD belongs to you. But you must surely redeem every firstborn son and every firstborn male of unclean animals.”The firstborn of unclean animals was to be redeemed.
General
True or False: If someone who made a vow was unable to afford the set valuation, the priest was to set a lower value based on what that person could afford.
Answer: True
This is true. If the person who had vowed could not afford the fixed amount, he was to bring the one being valued before the priest, and the priest would set a price the vower was able to pay (27:8). This matches a pattern throughout Leviticus: God made room for the poor, allowing birds instead of a lamb (Leviticus 5:7) and a smaller offering in the cleansing rites (Leviticus 14:21). The New Testament states the same principle for giving: God accepts a gift measured by what a person actually has (2 Corinthians 8:12).
- Leviticus 27:8 (BSB)“But if the one making the vow is too poor to pay the valuation, he is to present the person before the priest, who shall set the value according to what the one making the vow can afford.”If the person who vowed cannot afford the set amount, the priest sets a value he is able to pay.
- Leviticus 5:7 (BSB)“If, however, he cannot afford a lamb, he may bring to the LORD as restitution for his sin two turtledoves or two young pigeons—one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering.”Leviticus also allows a poor person to bring birds instead of a lamb for his offering.
- Leviticus 14:21 (BSB)“If, however, the person is poor and cannot afford these offerings, he is to take one male lamb as a guilt offering to be waved to make atonement for him, along with a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with olive oil for a grain offering, a log of olive oil,”Another law in Leviticus gives a less costly offering for someone who is poor.
- 2 Corinthians 8:12 (BSB)“For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.”A gift is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.
Theological
True or False: Leviticus 27:8 directs the priest to adjust the valuation for a vower unable to afford the fixed amount, according to his means.
Answer: True
This is true. The vower who cannot pay the fixed valuation brings the one being valued to the priest, and the priest assesses a value according to the vower's means (27:8). The provision reflects the Levitical concession to poverty seen in the substitution of birds for a lamb (Leviticus 5:7) and the reduced offering in the cleansing rites (Leviticus 14:21), and it anticipates the apostolic principle that a gift is accepted in proportion to one's means (2 Corinthians 8:12).
- Leviticus 27:8 (BSB)“But if the one making the vow is too poor to pay the valuation, he is to present the person before the priest, who shall set the value according to what the one making the vow can afford.”If the person who vowed cannot afford the set amount, the priest sets a value he is able to pay.
- Leviticus 5:7 (BSB)“If, however, he cannot afford a lamb, he may bring to the LORD as restitution for his sin two turtledoves or two young pigeons—one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering.”Leviticus also allows a poor person to bring birds instead of a lamb for his offering.
- Leviticus 14:21 (BSB)“If, however, the person is poor and cannot afford these offerings, he is to take one male lamb as a guilt offering to be waved to make atonement for him, along with a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with olive oil for a grain offering, a log of olive oil,”Another law in Leviticus gives a less costly offering for someone who is poor.
- 2 Corinthians 8:12 (BSB)“For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.”A gift is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.
General
What happened in the Jubilee to a field that a man had bought and then dedicated to the LORD (27:22-24)?
Answer: It returned to the family who originally owned it
A man could dedicate a field he had bought, but it was never truly his family land. The priest worked out its worth through the coming Jubilee, and the buyer paid that amount that same day as a holy gift to the LORD (27:22-23). Then at the Jubilee the field went back to the person who had sold it, the family that first owned it (27:24). No one could give away another family's inheritance, even to God. This matches the Jubilee law that sold land returned to its seller (Leviticus 25:28) and God's concern that each Israelite keep the inheritance of his fathers (Numbers 36:7).
- Leviticus 27:22-24 (BSB)“Now if a man consecrates to the LORD a field he has purchased, which is not a part of his own property, then the priest shall calculate for him the value up to the Year of Jubilee, and the man shall pay the assessed value on that day as a sacred offering to the LORD. In the Year of Jubilee the field shall return to the one from whom it was bought—the original owner of the land.”A man who dedicates a field he bought pays its value up to the Jubilee, and then the field returns to its original owner.
- Leviticus 25:28 (BSB)“But if he cannot obtain enough to repay him, what he sold will remain in possession of the buyer until the Year of Jubilee. In the Jubilee, however, it is to be released, so that he may return to his property.”Land that was sold returned to the seller in the Jubilee.
- Numbers 36:7 (BSB)“No inheritance in Israel may be transferred from tribe to tribe, because each of the Israelites is to retain the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers.”Each Israelite was to keep the inheritance of his fathers' tribe; no inheritance was to pass from one tribe to another.
Theological
What does Leviticus 27:22-24 prescribe at the Jubilee for a purchased field that has been consecrated?
Answer: Reversion to the seller, its hereditary owner
A purchased field is not part of the dedicator's patrimony, so he may consecrate only its worth through the coming Jubilee, paid that same day as a holy offering (27:22-23); at the Jubilee the field reverts to the seller, its hereditary owner (27:24). One cannot consecrate another family's inheritance. The rule applies the Jubilee reversion of sold land (Leviticus 25:28) and the principle that each Israelite retains the inheritance of his fathers (Numbers 36:7).
- Leviticus 27:22-24 (BSB)“Now if a man consecrates to the LORD a field he has purchased, which is not a part of his own property, then the priest shall calculate for him the value up to the Year of Jubilee, and the man shall pay the assessed value on that day as a sacred offering to the LORD. In the Year of Jubilee the field shall return to the one from whom it was bought—the original owner of the land.”A man who dedicates a field he bought pays its value up to the Jubilee, and then the field returns to its original owner.
- Leviticus 25:28 (BSB)“But if he cannot obtain enough to repay him, what he sold will remain in possession of the buyer until the Year of Jubilee. In the Jubilee, however, it is to be released, so that he may return to his property.”Land that was sold returned to the seller in the Jubilee.
- Numbers 36:7 (BSB)“No inheritance in Israel may be transferred from tribe to tribe, because each of the Israelites is to retain the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers.”Each Israelite was to keep the inheritance of his fathers' tribe; no inheritance was to pass from one tribe to another.
General
If someone dedicated an unclean animal or his house to the LORD and later wanted to buy it back, what did he pay (27:11-15)?
Answer: The priest's assessed value plus one-fifth more
An unclean animal, one that could not be offered as a sacrifice, could still be the subject of a vow. The priest set its value, and if the owner wanted to redeem it, meaning buy it back, he had to add one-fifth to that value (27:11-13). The same was true of a house a man dedicated to God: the priest assessed it, and redeeming it cost the assessed value plus one-fifth (27:14-15). This added fifth also appears elsewhere in Leviticus where holy things are involved, such as repaying harm done to a holy thing (Leviticus 5:16) or a sacred offering eaten by mistake (Leviticus 22:14). Taking back what had been given to God was possible, but it was not to be done lightly.
- Leviticus 27:11-13 (BSB)“But if the vow involves any of the unclean animals that may not be brought as an offering to the LORD, the animal must be presented before the priest. The priest shall set its value, whether high or low; as the priest values it, the price will be set. If, however, the owner decides to redeem the animal, he must add a fifth to its value.”An unclean animal that has been vowed is valued by the priest, and the owner who redeems it adds a fifth.
- Leviticus 27:14-15 (BSB)“Now if a man consecrates his house as holy to the LORD, then the priest shall value it either as good or bad. The price will stand just as the priest values it. But if he who consecrated his house redeems it, he must add a fifth to the assessed value, and it will belong to him.”A dedicated house is valued by the priest, and redeeming it also requires adding a fifth.
- Leviticus 5:16 (BSB)“Regarding any holy thing he has harmed, he must make restitution by adding a fifth of its value to it and giving it to the priest, who will make atonement on his behalf with the ram as a guilt offering, and he will be forgiven.”The added fifth also appears when someone makes restitution for harming a holy thing.
- Leviticus 22:14 (BSB)“If anyone eats a sacred offering in error, he must add a fifth to its value and give the sacred offering to the priest.”Someone who mistakenly eats a sacred offering must likewise add a fifth when repaying it.
Theological
What does Leviticus 27:11-15 require of someone who wishes to redeem a dedicated unclean animal or house?
Answer: The priestly valuation plus one-fifth
A vowed unclean animal is valued by the priest, and its redemption requires the valuation plus a fifth (27:11-13); a consecrated house is likewise assessed by the priest and redeemed at the assessed value plus a fifth (27:14-15). The added fifth is a recurring Levitical surcharge where holy things are concerned, appearing in restitution for trespass against holy things (Leviticus 5:16) and in repayment for sacred food eaten inadvertently (Leviticus 22:14). Reclaiming what had been dedicated to God was permitted but carried a cost.
- Leviticus 27:11-13 (BSB)“But if the vow involves any of the unclean animals that may not be brought as an offering to the LORD, the animal must be presented before the priest. The priest shall set its value, whether high or low; as the priest values it, the price will be set. If, however, the owner decides to redeem the animal, he must add a fifth to its value.”An unclean animal that has been vowed is valued by the priest, and the owner who redeems it adds a fifth.
- Leviticus 27:14-15 (BSB)“Now if a man consecrates his house as holy to the LORD, then the priest shall value it either as good or bad. The price will stand just as the priest values it. But if he who consecrated his house redeems it, he must add a fifth to the assessed value, and it will belong to him.”A dedicated house is valued by the priest, and redeeming it also requires adding a fifth.
- Leviticus 5:16 (BSB)“Regarding any holy thing he has harmed, he must make restitution by adding a fifth of its value to it and giving it to the priest, who will make atonement on his behalf with the ram as a guilt offering, and he will be forgiven.”The added fifth also appears when someone makes restitution for harming a holy thing.
- Leviticus 22:14 (BSB)“If anyone eats a sacred offering in error, he must add a fifth to its value and give the sacred offering to the priest.”Someone who mistakenly eats a sacred offering must likewise add a fifth when repaying it.
General
How was the tithe of the herd and flock chosen (27:32-33)?
Answer: Every tenth animal that passed under the shepherd's staff, with no picking or swapping
When the cattle, sheep, and goats were counted, every tenth animal that passed under the shepherd's staff became holy, set apart for God (27:32). The owner was not to check whether that animal was of good or poor quality, and he could not swap it for another. If he did, both animals became holy, and neither could be redeemed (27:33). This left the choice to the counting itself, not to the owner's preference, so no one could keep the best animals for himself. Israel later practiced this tithe of herds and flocks (2 Chronicles 31:6), and the law gave the tithe to the Levitical priests (Hebrews 7:5). The chapter ends by noting that God gave these commands to Moses at Sinai (27:34).
- Leviticus 27:32-33 (BSB)“Every tenth animal from the herd or flock that passes under the shepherd’s rod will be holy to the LORD. He must not inspect whether it is good or bad, and he shall not make any substitution. But if he does make a substitution, both the animal and its substitute shall become holy; they cannot be redeemed.’””Every tenth animal passing under the shepherd's rod is holy; the owner may not pick good or bad or swap it, and any swapped animals cannot be redeemed.
- Leviticus 27:34 (BSB)“These are the commandments that the LORD gave to Moses for the Israelites on Mount Sinai.”The chapter closes by noting these are the commandments God gave Moses on Mount Sinai.
- 2 Chronicles 31:6 (BSB)“And the Israelites and Judahites who lived in the cities of Judah also brought a tithe of their herds and flocks and a tithe of the holy things consecrated to the LORD their God, and they laid them in large heaps.”In Hezekiah's day the people brought a tithe of their herds and flocks.
- Hebrews 7:5 (BSB)“Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.”The law directed the Levitical priests to collect a tenth from the people.
Theological
By what method does Leviticus 27:32-33 determine the tithe of the herd and flock?
Answer: Every tenth animal passing under the shepherd's staff, without inspection or substitution
The tithe of the herd and flock is fixed by count: every tenth animal passing under the shepherd's staff is set apart as holy to God (27:32). The owner may not inspect it for quality or substitute another, and if he does, both animals become holy and irredeemable (27:33), so that the tithe is determined by the count rather than the owner's choice. The practice appears under Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 31:6), and Hebrews recalls the law's command that the Levitical priests collect the tenth (Hebrews 7:5). The chapter closes the Sinai legislation of Leviticus (27:34).
- Leviticus 27:32-33 (BSB)“Every tenth animal from the herd or flock that passes under the shepherd’s rod will be holy to the LORD. He must not inspect whether it is good or bad, and he shall not make any substitution. But if he does make a substitution, both the animal and its substitute shall become holy; they cannot be redeemed.’””Every tenth animal passing under the shepherd's rod is holy; the owner may not pick good or bad or swap it, and any swapped animals cannot be redeemed.
- Leviticus 27:34 (BSB)“These are the commandments that the LORD gave to Moses for the Israelites on Mount Sinai.”The chapter closes by noting these are the commandments God gave Moses on Mount Sinai.
- 2 Chronicles 31:6 (BSB)“And the Israelites and Judahites who lived in the cities of Judah also brought a tithe of their herds and flocks and a tithe of the holy things consecrated to the LORD their God, and they laid them in large heaps.”In Hezekiah's day the people brought a tithe of their herds and flocks.
- Hebrews 7:5 (BSB)“Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.”The law directed the Levitical priests to collect a tenth from the people.
General
True or False: The tithe of the land's grain and fruit belonged to the LORD, but a man could buy back part of it by paying its value plus one-fifth.
Answer: True
This is true. A tithe is a tenth. A tenth of the land's produce, whether grain from the fields or fruit from the trees, belonged to the LORD and was holy to Him (27:30). If a man wanted to keep part of it, he could redeem it by paying its value plus a fifth (27:31). Under the law, God gave these tithes to the Levites in return for their work at the tabernacle (Numbers 18:21), and in Malachi's day He called Israel back to bringing the full tithe (Malachi 3:10).
- Leviticus 27:30-31 (BSB)“Thus any tithe from the land, whether from the seed of the land or the fruit of the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD. If a man wishes to redeem part of his tithe, he must add a fifth to its value.”A tenth of the land's produce belongs to the LORD and is holy; redeeming part of it requires adding a fifth.
- Numbers 18:21 (BSB)“Behold, I have given to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the service of the Tent of Meeting.”God gave the tithes of Israel to the Levites for their service at the tabernacle.
- Malachi 3:10 (BSB)“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this,” says the LORD of Hosts. “See if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure.”Through Malachi, God calls the Israel of his day to bring the full tithe into His storehouse.
Theological
True or False: Leviticus 27:30-31 declares the tithe of the land holy to God while permitting its partial redemption at its value plus a fifth.
Answer: True
This is true. The tithe of the land, from grain and from the fruit of trees, is the LORD's and holy (27:30), though a portion may be redeemed at its value plus a fifth (27:31). Under the Mosaic economy the tithes were assigned to the Levites for their tabernacle service (Numbers 18:21), and through Malachi God summoned the Israel of that day back to bringing the full tithe (Malachi 3:10).
- Leviticus 27:30-31 (BSB)“Thus any tithe from the land, whether from the seed of the land or the fruit of the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD. If a man wishes to redeem part of his tithe, he must add a fifth to its value.”A tenth of the land's produce belongs to the LORD and is holy; redeeming part of it requires adding a fifth.
- Numbers 18:21 (BSB)“Behold, I have given to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the service of the Tent of Meeting.”God gave the tithes of Israel to the Levites for their service at the tabernacle.
- Malachi 3:10 (BSB)“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this,” says the LORD of Hosts. “See if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure.”Through Malachi, God calls the Israel of his day to bring the full tithe into His storehouse.
General
True or False: If a man dedicated his field to the LORD and did not redeem it, the field went back to him at the Jubilee like any other field.
Answer: False
This is false. A man who dedicated his field could redeem it by paying the assessed value plus a fifth (27:19). But if he did not redeem it, or if he sold it to someone else, it could no longer be bought back. At the Jubilee it did not return to him; it became holy, like a devoted field, and passed to the priests as their property (27:20-21). This fits God's provision elsewhere that devoted things in Israel belonged to the priests (Numbers 18:14; Ezekiel 44:29).
- Leviticus 27:19-21 (BSB)“And if the one who consecrated the field decides to redeem it, he must add a fifth to the assessed value, and it shall belong to him. If, however, he does not redeem the field, or if he has sold it to another man, it may no longer be redeemed. When the field is released in the Jubilee, it will become holy, like a field devoted to the LORD; it becomes the property of the priests.”The dedicator may redeem his field by adding a fifth; if he does not, or sells it to someone else, it becomes the priests' property at the Jubilee.
- Numbers 18:14 (BSB)“Every devoted thing in Israel belongs to you.”God tells Aaron that every devoted thing in Israel belongs to the priests.
- Ezekiel 44:29 (BSB)“They shall eat the grain offerings, the sin offerings, and the guilt offerings. Everything in Israel devoted to the LORD will belong to them.”The priests' portion includes everything in Israel devoted to the LORD.
Theological
True or False: Under Leviticus 27:19-21, a consecrated field that the dedicator did not redeem reverted to him in the Jubilee.
Answer: False
This is false. The dedicator may redeem his field at the valuation plus a fifth (27:19), but if he fails to redeem it, or sells it to another, it becomes irredeemable; at the Jubilee it becomes holy like a devoted field and passes to the priests as their possession (27:20-21). The provision is consistent with the assignment of all devoted things in Israel to the priesthood (Numbers 18:14; Ezekiel 44:29).
- Leviticus 27:19-21 (BSB)“And if the one who consecrated the field decides to redeem it, he must add a fifth to the assessed value, and it shall belong to him. If, however, he does not redeem the field, or if he has sold it to another man, it may no longer be redeemed. When the field is released in the Jubilee, it will become holy, like a field devoted to the LORD; it becomes the property of the priests.”The dedicator may redeem his field by adding a fifth; if he does not, or sells it to someone else, it becomes the priests' property at the Jubilee.
- Numbers 18:14 (BSB)“Every devoted thing in Israel belongs to you.”God tells Aaron that every devoted thing in Israel belongs to the priests.
- Ezekiel 44:29 (BSB)“They shall eat the grain offerings, the sin offerings, and the guilt offerings. Everything in Israel devoted to the LORD will belong to them.”The priests' portion includes everything in Israel devoted to the LORD.
General
For which age group was the valuation 5 shekels for a boy and 3 for a girl (27:5-7)?
Answer: Ages one month through five years
The chapter gives set amounts for each age group. For ages five through twenty, a male was valued at twenty shekels and a female at ten. For ages one month through five, a male was five shekels and a female three. For those sixty and older, the amounts were fifteen for a male and ten for a female (27:5-7). These figures were the fixed schedule for paying such a vow. The amount for a young boy matches the five shekels paid to redeem a month-old firstborn son (Numbers 18:16), the same price used when the extra firstborn Israelites were redeemed (Numbers 3:47).
- Leviticus 27:5-7 (BSB)“And if the person is from five to twenty years of age, then your valuation for the male shall be twenty shekels, and for the female ten shekels. Now if the person is from one month to five years of age, then your valuation for the male shall be five shekels of silver, and for the female three shekels of silver. And if the person is sixty years of age or older, then your valuation shall be fifteen shekels for the male and ten shekels for the female.”The valuation schedule continues for ages five to twenty, one month to five years, and sixty and older.
- Numbers 18:16 (BSB)“You are to pay the redemption price for a month-old male according to your valuation: five shekels of silver, according to the sanctuary shekel, which is twenty gerahs.”The redemption price for a firstborn son a month old was likewise five shekels by the sanctuary shekel.
- Numbers 3:47 (BSB)“you are to collect five shekels for each one, according to the sanctuary shekel of twenty gerahs.”Five shekels per person was also the price for redeeming the firstborn Israelites who exceeded the number of Levites.
Theological
Which age bracket in Leviticus 27:5-7 carries a valuation of five shekels for a male and three for a female?
Answer: One month through five years
The schedule continues by age: ages five through twenty, twenty shekels for a male and ten for a female; one month through five years, five and three; sixty and above, fifteen and ten (27:5-7). These are the fixed redemption values for votive dedications of persons. The five-shekel figure for a young male coincides with the redemption price of a month-old firstborn son (Numbers 18:16) and the per-person price paid for the surplus firstborn (Numbers 3:47).
- Leviticus 27:5-7 (BSB)“And if the person is from five to twenty years of age, then your valuation for the male shall be twenty shekels, and for the female ten shekels. Now if the person is from one month to five years of age, then your valuation for the male shall be five shekels of silver, and for the female three shekels of silver. And if the person is sixty years of age or older, then your valuation shall be fifteen shekels for the male and ten shekels for the female.”The valuation schedule continues for ages five to twenty, one month to five years, and sixty and older.
- Numbers 18:16 (BSB)“You are to pay the redemption price for a month-old male according to your valuation: five shekels of silver, according to the sanctuary shekel, which is twenty gerahs.”The redemption price for a firstborn son a month old was likewise five shekels by the sanctuary shekel.
- Numbers 3:47 (BSB)“you are to collect five shekels for each one, according to the sanctuary shekel of twenty gerahs.”Five shekels per person was also the price for redeeming the firstborn Israelites who exceeded the number of Levites.
General
When someone made a special vow involving a person aged twenty to sixty, what was the set value (27:2-4)?
Answer: 50 shekels for a man and 30 for a woman
A special vow was a voluntary promise to give something to the LORD. When the vow involved a person, the amount to be paid was fixed by a schedule. For someone aged twenty to sixty, the value was fifty silver shekels for a man and thirty for a woman, measured by the sanctuary shekel, the standard weight used at God's sanctuary (27:2-4). Vowing was voluntary, but a vow once spoken had to be kept (Deuteronomy 23:21-23; Numbers 30:2). Scripture warns that vowing and then failing to pay is worse than never vowing at all (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5).
- Leviticus 27:2-4 (BSB)““Speak to the Israelites and say to them, ‘When someone makes a special vow to the LORD involving the value of persons, if the valuation concerns a male from twenty to sixty years of age, then your valuation shall be fifty shekels of silver, according to the sanctuary shekel. Or if it is a female, then your valuation shall be thirty shekels.”God sets the silver amounts to be paid when a person is the subject of a special vow, beginning with adults aged twenty to sixty.
- Deuteronomy 23:21-23 (BSB)“If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to keep it, because He will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty of sin. Be careful to follow through on what comes from your lips, because you have freely vowed to the LORD your God with your own mouth.”Making a vow was voluntary, but once made, a vow to the LORD had to be kept.
- Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 (BSB)“When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.”It is better not to vow than to vow and then fail to pay.
- Numbers 30:2 (BSB)“If a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word; he must do everything he has promised.”A person who vows to the LORD must do everything he has promised.
Theological
What valuation does Leviticus 27:2-4 assign for a votive dedication of a person between twenty and sixty years old?
Answer: 50 shekels for a male, 30 for a female
For a special vow concerning a person, the LORD fixes the valuation to be paid by the sanctuary standard: fifty silver shekels for a male aged twenty to sixty and thirty for a female (27:2-4). Vowing was voluntary but, once undertaken, binding (Deuteronomy 23:21-23; Numbers 30:2), and the wisdom tradition warns that failing to pay a vow is worse than never making one (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5).
- Leviticus 27:2-4 (BSB)““Speak to the Israelites and say to them, ‘When someone makes a special vow to the LORD involving the value of persons, if the valuation concerns a male from twenty to sixty years of age, then your valuation shall be fifty shekels of silver, according to the sanctuary shekel. Or if it is a female, then your valuation shall be thirty shekels.”God sets the silver amounts to be paid when a person is the subject of a special vow, beginning with adults aged twenty to sixty.
- Deuteronomy 23:21-23 (BSB)“If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to keep it, because He will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty of sin. Be careful to follow through on what comes from your lips, because you have freely vowed to the LORD your God with your own mouth.”Making a vow was voluntary, but once made, a vow to the LORD had to be kept.
- Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 (BSB)“When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.”It is better not to vow than to vow and then fail to pay.
- Numbers 30:2 (BSB)“If a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word; he must do everything he has promised.”A person who vows to the LORD must do everything he has promised.
General
What happened if a person who had vowed an animal acceptable for sacrifice tried to swap it for another (27:9-10)?
Answer: Both the original animal and the substitute became holy
Once someone vowed an animal acceptable as an offering, it was holy, meaning set apart for the LORD. The owner could not exchange it, whether a better one for a worse one or a worse one for a better one. If he tried, both the first animal and its replacement became holy (27:9-10). This closed the door on the kind of trick Malachi condemns: promising a good animal and then offering a flawed one (Malachi 1:14). A vow was not to be taken back once made (Proverbs 20:25).
- Leviticus 27:9-10 (BSB)“If he vows an animal that may be brought as an offering to the LORD, any such animal given to the LORD shall be holy. He must not replace it or exchange it, either good for bad or bad for good. But if he does substitute one animal for another, both that animal and its substitute will be holy.”An animal fit for sacrifice that is vowed to the LORD becomes holy and may not be swapped; if it is, both animals become holy.
- Malachi 1:14 (BSB)““But cursed is the deceiver who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but sacrifices a defective animal to the Lord. For I am a great King,” says the LORD of Hosts, “and My name is to be feared among the nations.”God condemns the person who vows a good animal but offers a defective one instead.
- Proverbs 20:25 (BSB)“It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows.”It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and then reconsider the vow.
Theological
What is the consequence under Leviticus 27:9-10 of exchanging an animal already vowed as an offering?
Answer: Both the original and the substitute become holy
An animal fit for sacrifice that has been vowed is holy and may not be exchanged, whether better for worse or worse for better; any attempted substitution makes both animals holy (27:9-10). The rule forecloses the fraud Malachi denounces, vowing an acceptable male and sacrificing a blemished one (Malachi 1:14), and embodies the proverb that it is a snare to dedicate rashly and afterward reconsider (Proverbs 20:25).
- Leviticus 27:9-10 (BSB)“If he vows an animal that may be brought as an offering to the LORD, any such animal given to the LORD shall be holy. He must not replace it or exchange it, either good for bad or bad for good. But if he does substitute one animal for another, both that animal and its substitute will be holy.”An animal fit for sacrifice that is vowed to the LORD becomes holy and may not be swapped; if it is, both animals become holy.
- Malachi 1:14 (BSB)““But cursed is the deceiver who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but sacrifices a defective animal to the Lord. For I am a great King,” says the LORD of Hosts, “and My name is to be feared among the nations.”God condemns the person who vows a good animal but offers a defective one instead.
- Proverbs 20:25 (BSB)“It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows.”It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and then reconsider the vow.