Leviticus 27 14

Leviticus 27:14 kjv

And when a man shall sanctify his house to be holy unto the LORD, then the priest shall estimate it, whether it be good or bad: as the priest shall estimate it, so shall it stand.

Leviticus 27:14 nkjv

'And when a man dedicates his house to be holy to the LORD, then the priest shall set a value for it, whether it is good or bad; as the priest values it, so it shall stand.

Leviticus 27:14 niv

"?'If anyone dedicates their house as something holy to the LORD, the priest will judge its quality as good or bad. Whatever value the priest then sets, so it will remain.

Leviticus 27:14 esv

"When a man dedicates his house as a holy gift to the LORD, the priest shall value it as either good or bad; as the priest values it, so it shall stand.

Leviticus 27:14 nlt

"If someone dedicates a house to the LORD, the priest will come to assess its value. The priest's assessment will be final, whether high or low.

Leviticus 27 verses

Leviticus 27 14 Meaning

Leviticus 27:14 describes the procedure for a person who dedicates their house to the LORD as a special vow. The verse stipulates that in such a case, a priest must assess and determine its value. The priest's evaluation, considering the house's quality or condition (whether it is "good or bad"), is binding and establishes the final valuation for redemption or consecration.

Leviticus 27 14 Context

Leviticus 27 begins with regulations concerning vows, expanding upon previous laws about dedication and holy things. This chapter deals specifically with individuals who vow themselves, animals, houses, or fields "as consecrated to the LORD" (Lev 27:2). The primary purpose of these regulations is to provide an orderly and just system for valuing and redeeming items or persons dedicated through vows. It distinguishes between a "devoted thing" (which cannot be redeemed, such as the tithe) and a vow that can be redeemed by paying a specified valuation. Leviticus 27:14 falls within the section detailing the valuation of dedicated houses, ensuring fairness and upholding the sanctity of vows made to God by relying on the impartial assessment of the priest. Historically, this law helped prevent abuses in vows, providing clear guidance on obligations to the Lord and a standardized procedure within the Israelite economy and religious life.

Leviticus 27 14 Word analysis

• And when a man (וְאִישׁ - ve'ish): The Hebrew word 'ish' literally means "man" or "individual," indicating any Israelite male who could make such a vow. This broad term suggests the general applicability of this law to the male head of a household.
• dedicates his house (קֹדֶשׁ בֵּיתוֹ - kodesh beito):
  • Kodesh (קֹדֶשׁ): Means "holiness," "sanctification," or "a holy thing." This signifies setting apart the house for God's sacred purposes, not necessarily for physical transfer of ownership to the tabernacle/temple, but that it is "owed" to the LORD. It transitions from common use to a sacred obligation.
  • Beito (בֵּיתוֹ): "His house." This refers to a dwelling property. Unlike fields, houses were generally built by human hands, thus subject to human valuation.
• to the LORD (לַיהוָה - la'Yahweh): Emphasizes that the dedication is directly to God, establishing a divine claim over the dedicated item. This is not an offering to priests or for human benefit, but an act of piety towards the divine.
• then the priest (הַכֹּהֵן - ha'kohen): The specific article "the" indicates the designated priest, acting as an authorized agent for God. His role is crucial for impartial assessment and administration of holy things.
• shall value it (וְהֶעֱרִיךְ - vehe'erik): The verb 'ערך' (arakh) means "to arrange," "set in order," and in this context, "to set a value" or "estimate." This is a technical term for priestly appraisal, focusing on the house's monetary worth for redemptive purposes, reflecting its market value but within the divine covenant context. It prevents self-declaration of a low value.
• whether it is good or bad (כֵּן יִפְתַּח אֹתָהּ הַכֹּהֵן אֹו כֵּן יָקוּם - lit. "thus the priest shall estimate it or thus it shall stand"):
  • The exact phrasing "good or bad" as typically translated (KJV/ESV, etc.) isn't precisely reflected in the underlying Hebrew phrase, which more accurately relates to the priest's manner of valuing: "according to the way the priest shall value it... or as he decides." However, scholarly consensus and other ancient versions often interpret this phrase to mean assessing the actual quality, condition, or state of the house – whether it is well-maintained ("good") or dilapidated ("bad") – which would directly impact its valuation. This grants the priest the necessary discretion to make a fair and accurate judgment.
• as the priest values it (כַּאֲשֶׁר יַעֲרִיךְ אֹתָהּ הַכֹּהֵן - ka'asher ya'arikh otah ha'kohen): Reiterates and solidifies the priest's ultimate authority in the valuation process. It is not subject to negotiation or the owner's subjective assessment.
• so it shall stand (וְכֵן יָקוּם - vekhen yikum): Meaning "so it shall be established," "be firm," or "be binding." Once the priest makes the valuation, it is fixed and legally binding for redemption, reflecting the immutability of God's law and the sanctity of vows. This prevents a dedicated house from being undervalued by the dedicator or disputed afterward.

Leviticus 27 14 Bonus section

The laws in Leviticus 27 concerning valuations for vows are not intended to strip individuals of their property but to uphold the sanctity of their commitments to God. They provided a structured, equitable way to release individuals from their specific vow while maintaining their initial dedication. The underlying principle is that a promise made to God holds inherent value and must be fulfilled, either by offering the item directly (if fit for holy use, e.g., a perfect animal for sacrifice) or by paying its assessed monetary equivalent, plus a 20% surcharge for redemption in some cases (as seen in later verses in Lev 27). This system fostered financial and spiritual accountability, distinguishing Israelite practice from surrounding cultures where oaths might be taken less seriously or administered corruptly. The meticulous detail points to God's desire for order, justice, and devotion from His people in all areas of life, including their personal vows and property.

Leviticus 27 14 Commentary

Leviticus 27:14 delineates the divine protocol for the dedication and valuation of a house, emphasizing both human responsibility in vows and God's sovereign claim over all things. When a house is vowed to the LORD, it is conceptually consecrated, necessitating a priestly assessment for its redemption price if the original owner desired to retain it. This valuation ("erekh") was not merely a market appraisal but a divinely sanctioned amount set by God's designated representative. The priest's judgment of "good or bad" (i.e., its condition or true worth) ensured fairness, prevented manipulation, and reflected the integrity required in all dealings concerning God's holy things. This passage underscores that what is vowed to the Lord cannot be taken lightly or unilaterally. The binding nature of the priest's decision highlights the seriousness of commitments made to God and the orderly administration of covenant life within Israel, ensuring sanctity and preventing irreverence or injustice. It subtly establishes a boundary against potential exploitation by the vower, demanding a true assessment of what is given to the Creator.