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Leviticus 27 · Berean Standard Bible

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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, 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.

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Leviticus

Leviticus 27

The Sanctity of Vows: Devotion, Valuation, and the Sacred Boundary

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Objective

To reveal the solemn nature of vows made to the LORD, the divine valuation of persons, animals, and property dedicated to God, and the inviolable holiness of things devoted—teaching the people the sacredness of commitment and the principles of redemption and consecration.

Overview

Leviticus 27 unfolds the detailed instructions God gave Moses concerning vows made by individuals to the LORD. It establishes a system for estimating the value of persons of various ages and genders who are vowed, the valuation and treatment of animals and property dedicated to God, and the irrevocable holiness of things devoted. The chapter balances divine holiness with mercy, allowing for redemption by adding a fifth part, yet also emphasizing the seriousness of consecration, including the irrevocable dedication of persons and firstborn animals. The year of Jubilee is referenced as a time when fields return to original owners, underscoring God's ultimate ownership of the land and the sacred rhythm of release and restoration. This chapter closes the book of Leviticus by reinforcing the covenantal call to holiness expressed through vows and dedicated offerings.

Detailed Analysis

Event Description

God commands Moses to instruct Israel on how to estimate the value of persons who make a singular vow to dedicate themselves to the LORD. The valuation is carefully graduated by age and gender, reflecting the economic and social realities of the community. The priest has authority to adjust the valuation according to the vow-maker's ability if poorer than the standard estimation.

Central Themes

The sacredness of human life in covenantal commitment

Divine order and justice in valuation

Priestly mediation in applying God's law

Cultural & Historical Context

In ancient Israel, vows were solemn promises to God, often involving dedication of persons or property. The valuation system ensured fairness and accountability, preventing exploitation or undervaluation. This reflects the broader biblical principle that all life is precious and under God's sovereign ownership (Psalm 24:1). The priest's role as mediator echoes the Levitical priesthood's function as God's representative among the people.

Key Verse

Leviticus 27:3

Vivid Artistic Descriptions

The Valuation of Persons Vowed to the LORD

A solemn assembly beneath a cloud of divine presence, where a priest holds a scroll of sacred valuations. Figures of men, women, and children stand in orderly rows, their worth measured not by worldly wealth but by divine decree. Light filters through, illuminating the seriousness of the vow and the priest’s role as mediator between God and man.

The Sanctity and Valuation of Animals Dedicated to God

A pen of animals bathed in golden light, with clean beasts standing pure and unblemished, while unclean animals wait for priestly judgment. A hand reaches out reverently, touching a lamb marked as holy. The firstborn ox stands apart, crowned with a subtle halo, symbolizing God's exclusive claim.

The Valuation and Redemption of Houses and Fields

A fertile field stretches toward the horizon, divided by lines marking ownership and sanctification. A priest with measuring rod and scales assesses a house’s worth, while a scroll records the years until Jubilee. The sun sets behind a distant city, reminding that land ultimately belongs to God and will be restored in His appointed time.

The Inviolable Holiness of Devoted Things and the Tithe

A sacred altar surrounded by devoted offerings: a man standing solemnly, animals gathered, and baskets of grain and fruit. A radiant flame consumes a devoted object, symbolizing irrevocable dedication. The tithe—a tenth portion—is lifted up in a golden bowl, shining as a holy tribute to the LORD.

Song

Leviticus 27 Song

Verse 1

In solemn vow I stand before Your throne, My life, my all, to You alone. Measured worth by Your holy hand, A sacred pledge on this land.

Verse 2

The beasts, the fields, the house I claim, Marked by Your fire, consecrated name. Redemption calls with a costly price, Yet mercy flows in sacrifice.

Chorus

Holy, holy, all devoted be, Set apart for You eternally. No exchange, no turning back, In Your holiness, I stand intact.

Bridge

Jubilee returns what once was lost, Restoring hearts, no matter the cost. Priest and people, bound in grace, Living holy in sacred space.

Final Chorus

Holy, holy, all devoted be, Set apart for You eternally. No exchange, no turning back, In Your holiness, I stand intact.

Practical Application

Personal Life

Recognize the seriousness of vows and commitments made before God, ensuring they are made with reverence and faithfulness.

Understand that all aspects of life—body, possessions, and time—belong to God and are to be lived in holiness.

Embrace the call to holiness as a daily offering, not just in formal vows but in everyday choices.

Community & Society

Encourage accountability and fairness in communal commitments and stewardship of resources.

Support the role of spiritual leaders as mediators who help apply God’s principles with justice and mercy.

Promote respect for sacred boundaries and the honoring of promises within the faith community.

Global Perspective

Advocate for ethical stewardship of land and resources, recognizing God’s ultimate ownership over creation.

Champion the dignity of all persons as sacred and valuable in God’s sight, opposing exploitation.

Foster a global awareness of the need for restoration and redemption in societies broken by broken commitments and injustice.

Conclusion

Leviticus 27 solemnly closes the book with a profound reminder: all that we are and possess is ultimately the LORD’s. Vows and dedications are not casual words but sacred bonds that reflect God’s holiness and claim over life and property. The careful valuations, the provisions for redemption, and the irrevocable holiness of devoted things teach us the weight of consecration. The year of Jubilee’s shadow reminds us of God’s justice and mercy intertwined—restoring what is lost and calling His people to live in faithful holiness. In all, this chapter calls Israel, and us, to honor God with integrity, reverence, and unwavering devotion.