Leviticus 27ESV
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Leviticus27

English Standard Version

1The Lord to , ,

2 to the of and to them, If makes a to the Lord involving the of ,

3then the of a from up to shall be of , according to the of the .

4If the person is a , the shall be .

5If the person is from up to , the shall be for a , and for a .

6If the person is from a up to , the shall be for a of , and for a the shall be of .

7And if the person is or , then the for a shall be , and for a .

8And if someone is too to pay the , then he shall be made to the , and the shall him; the shall him what the .

9If the vow is an that may be as an to the Lord, of it that he to the Lord is .

10He shall not it or make a for it, for , or for ; and if he does in one for , then both it and the shall be .

11And if it is any that may not be as an to the Lord, then he shall the the ,

12and the shall it as ; as the it, so it shall be.

13But if he to it, he shall a to the .

14When a his as a gift to the Lord, the shall it as or ; as the it, so it shall .

15And if the wishes to his , he shall a to the , and it shall be his.

16If a to the Lord part of the that is his , then the shall be in to its . A of shall be valued at of .

17If he his from the of , the shall ,

18but if he his the , then the shall the the that until the of , and a shall be made from the .

19And if he who the to it, then he shall a to its , and it shall .

20But if he does not wish to the field, or if he has the to , it shall not be anymore.

21But the , when it is in the , shall be a to the Lord, like a that has been . The shall be in of it.

22If he to the Lord a that he has , which is not a of his ,

23then the shall the of the for it up to the of , and the man shall the on that as a to the Lord.

24In the of the shall to him from it was , to whom the belongs as a .

25Every shall be according to the of the : shall make a .

26 a of , which as a belongs to the Lord, no may ; whether or , it is the Lord ’s.

27And if it is an , then he shall it back at the , and a to it; or, if it is not , it shall be at the .

28 no that a to the Lord, of anything that he , whether or , or of his , shall be or ; every is to the Lord.

29No , who is to be for from , shall be ; he shall be .

30 of the , whether of the of the or of the of the , is the Lord ’s; it is to the Lord.

31If a to some of his , he shall a to it.

32And of and , every animal of all that the , shall be to the Lord.

33One shall not or , neither shall he make a for it; and if he for it, then both it and the shall be ; it shall not be .

34These are the that the Lord for the of on .

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Leviticus 27.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: The law concerning vows, Of persons and animals. (1–13). Vows concerning houses and land. (14–25). Devoted things not to be redeemed. (26–33). Conclusion. (34).

vv1-13

Zeal for the service of God disposed the Israelites, on some occasions, to dedicate themselves or their children to the service of the Lord, in his house for life. Some persons who thus dedicated themselves might be employed as assistants; in general they were to be redeemed for a value. It is good to be zealously affected and liberally disposed for the Lord's service; but the matter should be well weighed, and prudence should direct as to what we do; else rash vows and hesitation in doing them will dishonour God, and trouble our own minds.

vv14-25

Our houses, lands, cattle, and all our substance, must be used to the glory of God. It is acceptable to him that a portion be given to support his worship, and to promote his cause. But God would not approve such a degree of zeal as ruined a man's family.

vv26-33

Things or persons devoted, are distinguished from things or persons that were only sanctified. Devoted things were most holy to the Lord, and could neither be taken back nor applied to other purposes. Whatever productions they had the benefit, God must be honoured with the tenth of, if it could be applied. Thus they acknowledge God to be the Owner of their land, the Giver of its fruits, and themselves to be his tenants, and dependants upon him. Thus they gave him thanks for the plenty they enjoyed, and besought his favour in the continuance of it. We are taught to honour the Lord with our substance.

Cross References

Leviticus 27
v25Exodus 30:13thematic

Establishes the standard sanctuary shekel as twenty gerahs for all estimations.

Supported by John Calvin

Parallels the principle of giving according to one's ability and means.

Supported by Matthew Poole

Forbids working firstlings since they already belong to God as His property.

Supported by John Calvin

v21 Samuel 1:11thematic

Provides a historical example of a parent dedicating a child to God's service.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v17Leviticus 25:10thematic

Connects the valuation of dedicated fields directly to the Cycle of Jubilee.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v26Exodus 13:2thematic

Establishes that the firstborn cannot be consecrated by vow because they are already God's.

Supported by JFB

v32Ezekiel 20:37allusion

Echoes the custom of marking the tenth animal passing under the rod.

Supported by JFB

v4Matthew 27:9allusion

Alludes to the thirty pieces of silver value given to Christ.

Supported by JFB

Confirms the sanctuary redemption price for children from a month old.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v8Leviticus 12:8thematic

Illustrates similar adjustments in offerings made for those who are poor.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v21Leviticus 25:28thematic

Governs the return of land during the year of Jubilee.

Supported by JFB

v30Genesis 14:20thematic

Provides ancient historical precedent for giving a tenth of all to God.

Supported by JFB

Admonishes against rashness and delay in fulfilling vows to God.

Supported by JFB

v21Leviticus 27:28thematic

Explains how devoted things are 'most holy' and belong completely to priests.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v27Numbers 18:15thematic

Reinforces redemption laws for the firstborn of unclean beasts.

Supported by JFB