Leviticus 27 16

Leviticus 27:16 kjv

And if a man shall sanctify unto the LORD some part of a field of his possession, then thy estimation shall be according to the seed thereof: an homer of barley seed shall be valued at fifty shekels of silver.

Leviticus 27:16 nkjv

'If a man dedicates to the LORD part of a field of his possession, then your valuation shall be according to the seed for it. A homer of barley seed shall be valued at fifty shekels of silver.

Leviticus 27:16 niv

"?'If anyone dedicates to the LORD part of their family land, its value is to be set according to the amount of seed required for it?fifty shekels of silver to a homer of barley seed.

Leviticus 27:16 esv

"If a man dedicates to the LORD part of the land that is his possession, then the valuation shall be in proportion to its seed. A homer of barley seed shall be valued at fifty shekels of silver.

Leviticus 27:16 nlt

"If someone dedicates to the LORD a piece of his family property, its value will be assessed according to the amount of seed required to plant it ? fifty shekels of silver for a field planted with five bushels of barley seed.

Leviticus 27 verses

Leviticus 27 16 Meaning

Leviticus 27:16 outlines the specific procedure for assessing the redemption value of a field consecrated to the Lord by an Israelite. The valuation is not arbitrary but directly proportionate to the amount of seed required to sow it, using a fixed rate of fifty shekels of silver for a field requiring one omer of barley seed. This ensures a standardized and fair method for calculating the sacred obligation when land is dedicated to God.

Leviticus 27 16 Context

Leviticus chapter 27 concludes the book of Leviticus by providing specific regulations concerning vows and devoted things. It transitions from the laws of holiness, offerings, and festivals to how Israelites should consecrate or dedicate themselves, their families, animals, houses, and land to the Lord, and how these dedicated items might be redeemed. The entire chapter deals with situations where someone makes a vow to give something to God, defining the monetary values for various dedications. Verse 16 specifically addresses the dedication of fields (a significant part of their livelihood and inheritance in an agrarian society), establishing a fixed, non-negotiable scale of valuation based on the field's productive capacity, measured by the seed it could sow. This ensures that the redemption value is consistent and fair, protecting against subjective or exploitative estimations and upholding the sanctity of the vow made to the Lord. Historically, land was fundamental to Israelite identity and sustenance, stemming from God's promise of the land (Canaan) as their inheritance. Rules about land consecrated to God, particularly its return in the Jubilee year (referenced in surrounding verses), emphasized God's ultimate ownership and the temporary stewardship of His people. The fixed valuation likely served as a polemic against any practice that might allow priests or individuals to exploit vows through arbitrary pricing.

Leviticus 27 16 Word analysis

• If a man: ('îsh - אִישׁ) Refers to any male Israelite, highlighting personal responsibility and voluntary action in making vows. This isn't a command, but a provision for an initiated act of devotion.
• consecrates: (yaqdish - יַקְדִּישׁ) From the root "qadash" (קָדַשׁ), meaning "to make holy," "to set apart for sacred use." This is in the Hifil stem, emphasizing the action of the man in causing something to become holy to the Lord. It signifies a profound act of dedication, transferring ownership or usage to God.
• to the Lord: (l-YHWH - לַיהוָה) Direct object of the consecration, emphasizing that the dedication is directly to God, not to priests or institutions. All dedicated things belong to God.
• part of a field: (mish'deh 'ăḥuzzaṯo - מִשְּׂדֵה אֲחֻזָּתוֹ) Literally, "from the field of his possession/inheritance." This refers to privately owned land that was part of a family's perpetual inheritance (naḥalah - נַחֲלָה), not rented land or common land. "Part of" implies it could be a portion, not necessarily the entire field.
• that he owns: ('ăḥuzzaṯo - אֲחֻזָּתוֹ) Reinforces that this is ancestral land, distinct from bought or rented land, emphasizing its unique legal status in Israelite society. The original ownership stemmed from God's apportionment.
• then your valuation: ('erkeḵā - עֶרְכְּךָ) Literally, "your estimation/worth." This refers to the value as determined by the priest according to God's established law, not by the man making the vow. The "your" implies the collective authority/responsibility entrusted to the priestly system by God to implement these fixed valuations.
• shall be in proportion to the seed required for it: (lĕpî zar‘ô - לְפִי זַרְעוֹ) Literally, "according to its seed." This is the core principle of valuation: the field's productive capacity. It's not valued by size, quality of soil, or perceived market value, but by the practical agricultural input needed for sowing. This provides an objective, consistent, and divinely ordained standard.
• a sowing of an omer: (zera‘ ḥomer - זֶרַע חֹמֶר) An "omer" (חֹמֶר) is a dry measure, typically equivalent to about 220 liters or 6.2 bushels. This specifies the unit of measurement for the seed.
• of barley seed: (sĕ‘ōrîm - שְׂעֹרִים) Barley was a common, robust grain, often sown on poorer quality land or as an early crop. By specifying barley, it sets a baseline valuation. This implies that if a field required less productive, less common seeds, or was good for wheat, the valuation would still refer back to the equivalent in barley seed capacity for calculation. It establishes a fixed agricultural standard.
• shall be valued at fifty shekels of silver: (ḥamiššîm šeqel keseph - חֲמִשִּׁים שֶׁקֶל כֶּסֶף) This is the fixed monetary unit for redemption. A "shekel" (שֶׁקֶל) was a unit of weight, hence a measure of silver (about 11.5 grams or 0.4 oz of silver per shekel, subject to ancient variations). This absolute, non-negotiable price for a standard unit of productive land ensures fairness and eliminates speculation or human discretion in God's dedicated assets. The number 50 is significant, perhaps aligning with the Jubilee year's emphasis.

Words-group Analysis:

• "If a man consecrates... to the Lord": Highlights the voluntary and sacred nature of the act. It's a personal initiative rooted in devotion, setting something apart for divine use or ownership. The Lord is the direct recipient and ultimate owner.
• "part of a field that he owns": Emphasizes that this applies to one's permanent inheritance, a fundamental aspect of Israelite identity and economic life. This distinguishes it from temporary possessions or other forms of property. The dedication impacts family inheritance.
• "your valuation shall be in proportion to the seed required for it": This defines the method of appraisal. It shifts the focus from subjective human estimation or external factors (e.g., location, quality) to an objective, agricultural metric—the practical productivity of the land, demonstrating God's practical and equitable standards.
• "a sowing of an omer of barley seed shall be valued at fifty shekels of silver": This provides the concrete, fixed exchange rate. It is a precise economic equation from divine law. The specific measure (omer) and crop (barley) create a baseline standard, while the currency (silver shekel) is the means of monetary redemption, establishing consistency in sacred economics. This also underscores the economic wisdom in God's law.

Leviticus 27 16 Bonus section

The selection of "barley seed" is significant as barley was a hardy grain often planted in less fertile soils, serving as a staple, especially for the poor, or as an early spring crop. By setting the baseline valuation using barley, the law provides a universally applicable, accessible standard, rather than requiring calculations based on more valuable crops like wheat (which might fluctuate more or apply only to superior land). This implies a degree of equity and broad applicability for all types of fields. Furthermore, this regulation reflects God's perspective on the land – it's not merely a possession but an asset whose worth is directly tied to its productive capacity, highlighting an agricultural-economic theology. The concept of "your valuation" being tied to the priest (singular in Hebrew is implicit, but referring to the office) emphasizes that this valuation is not negotiable or subjective by the individual, but fixed according to divine law, administered by those consecrated to God's service. This fixed value contrasts with typical market prices, reinforcing that dedicated things are in a separate, holy category.

Leviticus 27 16 Commentary

Leviticus 27:16 provides a meticulous divine directive for valuing consecrated land. It highlights that matters related to God’s holiness and offerings are not subject to human whims or market fluctuations but are governed by precise, objective, and fair divine standards. The "field of his possession" underscores the significance of ancestral land to an Israelite and how even such cherished inheritance could be voluntarily dedicated. The core principle of "in proportion to the seed required" reveals a profound agricultural understanding, valuing land not by its size alone, but by its actual productive capacity, making the assessment practical and just for varied terrains. The fixed price of "fifty shekels of silver for an omer of barley seed" further cements this objectivity, preventing any exploitation or arbitrary pricing by priests. This law reveals God's meticulousness, ensuring fairness in vows, and emphasizing that commitments made to Him carry a tangible and calculated sacred obligation. It underlines stewardship – recognizing God's ultimate ownership even as humans temporarily manage resources. The strict financial valuation underscores that dedicating resources to God has a real and serious cost, ensuring that vows are not made lightly, aligning with New Testament principles of sacrificial and purposeful giving (2 Cor 9:7).