Leviticus 27 13

Leviticus 27:13 kjv

But if he will at all redeem it, then he shall add a fifth part thereof unto thy estimation.

Leviticus 27:13 nkjv

But if he wants at all to redeem it, then he must add one-fifth to your valuation.

Leviticus 27:13 niv

If the owner wishes to redeem the animal, a fifth must be added to its value.

Leviticus 27:13 esv

But if he wishes to redeem it, he shall add a fifth to the valuation.

Leviticus 27:13 nlt

If you want to buy back the animal, you must pay the value set by the priest, plus 20 percent.

Leviticus 27 verses

Leviticus 27 13 Meaning

Leviticus 27:13 outlines the law for redeeming an item that was initially dedicated or consecrated to the Lord through a vow. If the person who consecrated the item wishes to buy it back, they are permitted to do so, but they must add an additional one-fifth (20%) of the priest's estimated value of the item to the redemption price. This surcharge serves as a penalty for taking back what was vowed and underscores the seriousness of promises made to God, while also providing a mechanism for restitution.

Leviticus 27 13 Context

Leviticus 27 details various regulations concerning vows and tithes, serving as the concluding chapter of the book. It immediately follows chapters on holy days and offerings, emphasizing that voluntary acts of dedication, such as vows, are as serious and binding as the mandated rituals. This verse specifically addresses the process by which an individual could redeem, or buy back, an item they had previously consecrated to the Lord. It reflects the flexibility and grace of God's law, allowing for personal circumstances, while simultaneously imposing a deterrent—the "fifth part"—to uphold the sanctity of dedication and the seriousness of promises made to Him. Historically, vows were a common spiritual practice in ancient Israel, often made in times of distress or gratitude, and were regarded with extreme solemnity.

Leviticus 27 13 Word analysis

• And if: Signals a conditional clause, outlining a specific scenario for the law that follows. It allows for an action that is not universally required but applies if certain conditions are met.

• he that sanctified it: Refers to the individual who made a vow to dedicate or set apart an item for the Lord.

  • sanctified (קדש - qadash): From the root meaning "to be holy, set apart, consecrated." In this context, it implies an act of dedicating an item to God, making it "holy to the Lord," and thereby subject to divine ownership. It's a deliberate act of consecration, often signifying a promise or vow.

• will redeem it: Indicates the individual's desire or intention to buy back what was previously consecrated.

  • redeem (גאל - ga'al): To "buy back, recover, restore, release from a claim." This term often relates to the concept of a "kinsman-redeemer" (goel) in the Old Testament, but here it applies to property. It means removing the item from its sacred, consecrated status and bringing it back into common, personal use.

• then he shall add: This introduces the prescribed action required for redemption.

• a fifth part thereof: This specifies the surcharge, which is 20% (one-fifth) of the estimated value. This is a punitive and deterrent measure. It acts as a penalty for reconsidering or effectively "taking back" a dedicated item, emphasizing that once something is devoted to God, it carries a higher cost for recovery, reinforcing the original commitment. This 20% penalty appears in other laws regarding restitution or trespass (e.g., Lev 5:16).

• unto thy estimation: Refers to the assessed value of the dedicated item.

  • estimation (ערכך - erek): Meaning "valuation, assessment." According to Lev 27:8, the priest would determine the value based on the condition of the item and the person's economic means. This objective valuation prevents undervaluation or unfair exchange in the process of redemption.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "he that sanctified it will redeem it": Highlights the personal agency in both dedicating and potentially taking back a vow. It underscores that these actions are voluntary, but once initiated, they incur spiritual and practical obligations. The allowance of redemption (at a cost) demonstrates a balance between upholding divine holiness and accommodating human fallibility or changing circumstances.
  • "shall add a fifth part thereof unto thy estimation": This phrase succinctly captures the core financial and spiritual principle. The "fifth part" serves multiple functions: it acts as a penalty, discourages rash vows, validates the initial holiness of the dedicated item, and contributes to the support of the sanctuary/priesthood. The priest's "estimation" ensures a fair, standardized value, protecting against arbitrary pricing.

Leviticus 27 13 Bonus section

The additional "fifth part" not only acts as a penalty but also effectively supports the priestly system and the tabernacle/temple's operations, as these dedicated items or their redemption value would flow into the temple treasury. This financial aspect underscores the practical support mechanisms for divine worship embedded within the legal framework. Furthermore, this principle of an added cost for "buying back" resonates with broader biblical themes of restoration and atonement. For example, in restitution for a trespass, the wrongdoer had to restore what was taken plus 20% (Lev 5:16). This consistent "fifth part" surcharge serves as a legal marker, signifying a cost for reversal, an emphasis on commitment, and a means to prevent the casual treatment of holy things or broken trust. The permission to redeem, albeit with a penalty, demonstrates God's desire for reconciliation and continued relationship, even when human beings fail in their initial commitments.

Leviticus 27 13 Commentary

Leviticus 27:13 speaks profoundly about the seriousness of commitments made to God. When something is vowed or "sanctified" (set apart as holy) to the Lord, it fundamentally changes ownership in a spiritual sense; it becomes His. While God, in His mercy and wisdom, allows for the redemption of such items, it comes with a built-in penalty—an additional 20% of its assessed value. This surcharge is not arbitrary; it reinforces the sanctity of the original vow and discourages the casual retraction of dedication. It signifies that breaking or modifying a vow, even if permissible, is costly because it diminishes the weight of one's word before God. This law provided a tangible lesson in integrity, foresight, and reverence, teaching the Israelites that words spoken to the Almighty were to be taken with utmost gravity. Ultimately, it emphasizes that what is consecrated to God belongs to Him, and attempting to reclaim it carries a significant consequence, reminding all believers of the absolute importance of keeping spiritual promises.