Rules about Valuations
This chapter concludes the book by discussing different...
This chapter concludes the book by discussing different types of vows. It ends with a rule for redeeming one's tithes (see also chapter Leviticus 25). At certain times, such as emergencies, a person might vow something to God in exchange for answered prayers (see Jonah 2:9). After God answered the prayer, the person might want to ignore the vow. Scripture requires that people vow carefully and then fulfill them (see Leviticus 5:4; Ecclesiastes 5:4–6). Jesus taught that people should not make oaths often or carelessly (Matthew 5:33–37; 23:16–22).
1Then the LORD said to Moses, 2“Speak to the Israelites and say to them, ‘When someone makes a special vow to the LORD involving the value of persons,
This section shows how people were ranked socially...
This section shows how people were ranked socially in ancient Near Eastern cultures. An adult working man had the highest rank, followed by an adult working woman. A boy ranked higher than a girl, and both ranked higher than toddlers. Senior citizens, who were past their prime working age, ranked similarly to boys and girls.
The amount of fifty shekels was about 570 grams (20 ounces) of silver, which was a lot (see study note on Leviticus 5:15). Comparisons with other writings from that time show that the biblical shekel value was very high and unaffordable for most people.
This section shows how people were ranked socially in ancient Near Eastern cultures. An adult working man had the highest rank, followed by an adult working woman. A boy ranked higher than a girl, and both ranked higher than toddlers. Senior citizens, who were past their prime working age, ranked similarly to boys and girls.
The amount of fifty shekels was about 570 grams (20 ounces) of silver, which was a lot (see study note on Leviticus 5:15). Comparisons with other writings from that time show that the biblical shekel value was very high and unaffordable for most people.
3if 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.† 4Or if it is a female, then your valuation shall be thirty shekels.† 5And 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.†
6Now 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.† 7And 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. 8But 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.
Once someone promised an acceptable animal and the...
Once someone promised an acceptable animal and the priest at the sanctuary accepted it for God, the animal became holy and belonged to God.
9If he vows an animal that may be brought as an offering to the LORD, any such animal given to the LORD shall be holy. 10He 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 unclean animal, not suitable for food or...
An unclean animal, not suitable for food or sacrifice, could be bought back by the worshiper for its assessed value plus 20 percent. This rule likely aimed to preserve the sanctity of vows and reduce careless dedications. For the 20 percent additional charge on property, see Leviticus 27:15, 19, 31.
11But 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. 12The priest shall set its value, whether high or low; as the priest values it, the price will be set. 13If, however, the owner decides to redeem the animal, he must add a fifth to its value.
The Hebrew term translated as consecrates is emphatic...
The Hebrew term translated as consecrates is emphatic and means "declares holy."
This rule applies only to a house in a walled town. Other houses, whether in unwalled villages or on open land, returned to the owner in the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:29–31). If the owner wanted to redeem it, he had to pay an extra 20 percent. If he did not redeem the house in the first year, it became the property of the sanctuary and priests. They could use it as they wished.
The Hebrew term translated as consecrates is emphatic and means "declares holy."
This rule applies only to a house in a walled town. Other houses, whether in unwalled villages or on open land, returned to the owner in the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:29–31). If the owner wanted to redeem it, he had to pay an extra 20 percent. If he did not redeem the house in the first year, it became the property of the sanctuary and priests. They could use it as they wished.
14Now 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. 15But if he who consecrated his house redeems it, he must add a fifth to the assessed value, and it will belong to him.
The cost to consecrate a field depended on...
The cost to consecrate a field depended on the years left until the next Year of Jubilee (see Leviticus 25:24–28). If not redeemed, the property became the priests' to use as they wanted. Redeeming a field cost 120 percent of its valuation (see 27:11–13). If a landowner consecrated his field without redeeming it, it did not return to his family in the Year of Jubilee.
16If 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.† 17If he consecrates his field during the Year of Jubilee, the price will stand according to your valuation.
18But 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. 19And 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.
20If, however, he does not redeem the field, or if he has sold it to another man, it may no longer be redeemed. 21When 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.
22Now if a man consecrates to the LORD a field he has purchased, which is not a part of his own property, 23then 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. 24In the Year of Jubilee the field shall return to the one from whom it was bought—the original owner of the land. 25Every valuation will be according to the sanctuary shekel, twenty gerahs to the shekel.†
26But 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. 27But 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.
28Nothing 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.
29No person set apart for destruction may be ransomed; he must surely be put to death.
Instruction on Tithes
(Deuteronomy 14:22–29; Deuteronomy 26:1–15; Nehemiah 13:10–14)
30Thus 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. 31If a man wishes to redeem part of his tithe, he must add a fifth to its value.
32Every tenth animal from the herd or flock that passes under the shepherd’s rod will be holy to the LORD. 33He 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.’”
34These are the commandments that the LORD gave to Moses for the Israelites on Mount Sinai.