Leviticus 27 19

Leviticus 27:19 kjv

And if he that sanctified the field will in any wise redeem it, then he shall add the fifth part of the money of thy estimation unto it, and it shall be assured to him.

Leviticus 27:19 nkjv

And if he who dedicates the field ever wishes to redeem it, then he must add one-fifth of the money of your valuation to it, and it shall belong to him.

Leviticus 27:19 niv

If the one who dedicates the field wishes to redeem it, they must add a fifth to its value, and the field will again become theirs.

Leviticus 27:19 esv

And if he who dedicates the field wishes to redeem it, then he shall add a fifth to its valuation price, and it shall remain his.

Leviticus 27:19 nlt

If the person who dedicated the field wants to buy it back, he must pay the value set by the priest, plus 20 percent. Then the field will again be legally his.

Leviticus 27 verses

Leviticus 27 19 Meaning

Leviticus 27:19 specifies a law concerning the redemption of a dedicated field. If an individual dedicates a field to the Lord through a vow, but then wishes to reclaim ownership of it, they are permitted to do so. However, reclaiming the dedicated field is not without a cost; they must add one-fifth (20%) of its assessed monetary value to the redemption price. Upon payment of this additional amount, the field is fully restored to their possession. This verse emphasizes the sanctity of vows and dedicated items, ensuring a solemn financial consequence for revoking a sacred commitment.

Leviticus 27 19 Context

Leviticus 27 is the concluding chapter of the book, acting as an appendix to the laws and regulations previously outlined, particularly concerning matters of holiness, vows, and dedicated offerings to the Lord. While the main body of Leviticus focuses on sacrifices, priesthood, ritual purity, and festivals, chapter 27 deals with the valuation of persons, animals, houses, and fields that have been vowed or consecrated to God. These vows could be made by individuals who, in gratitude, during times of trouble, or as an act of devotion, pledged something valuable to the sanctuary treasury.

The chapter specifies the monetary valuation for such items if they were to be redeemed rather than given over. Verses 16-25 specifically detail the rules for dedicating and redeeming agricultural fields. These rules are complex, accounting for whether the land was inherited or purchased, its size, the remaining years until the next Jubilee, and who wishes to redeem it. Leviticus 27:19 focuses specifically on the original dedicator wishing to redeem their own previously dedicated field. The legal framework surrounding dedicated items underscores the seriousness of making a vow to God and the sacred nature of what is pledged to Him. This reflects the deeply theological principle that what is dedicated to the Lord takes on a special status and cannot be casually withdrawn.

Leviticus 27 19 Word analysis

• And if (וְאִם – wə'im): The Hebrew conjunctive "waw" (and) coupled with "im" (if) introduces a conditional clause. It sets the stage for a specific scenario within the broader context of dedicated fields, highlighting that this is a specific case with its own unique stipulations.
• he who dedicated (הַמַּקְדִּ֥ישׁ – hammaqdish): Derived from the root q-d-sh (קָדַשׁ), meaning "to be holy," "to set apart," or "to consecrate." The Hiphil participle indicates the action of causing something to be holy or setting it apart. This emphasizes that the individual made the field holy by dedicating it to the Lord, giving it a sacred status. This is not mere property transfer, but a spiritual act.
• the field (הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה – hassadeh): This term refers specifically to an agricultural field, a crucial source of sustenance and inheritance in ancient Israel. Land was more than property; it was tied to the family, tribe, and covenant promises of God, making its dedication a significant act.
• would redeem it (יִגְאַ֣ל אֶתְחָ֑הּ – yig'al 'otah): The verb ga'al (גָּאַל) is pivotal. It means "to redeem," "to reclaim," "to buy back," or "to ransom." It is often associated with the go'el, a kinsman-redeemer who acts to restore what was lost (e.g., land, family members). Here, it implies buying back what has become the Lord's. The act of redemption is a legal and often financial process to reclaim something that has passed out of one's possession.
• then he shall add (וְיָסַ֥ף – wəyasaf): From the verb yasaf (יָסַף), meaning "to add," "to increase," or "to continue." It signals a mandatory increment to the initial valuation. This isn't optional; it's a prescribed requirement.
• one-fifth (חֲמִישִׁת֥וֹ – ḥamīšītô): Refers to "its fifth," or one-fifth of the value, which translates to a 20% surcharge. This is a common penalty or addition in Mosaic Law for matters involving consecrated things or restitution for unintentional offenses against God's holy things (e.g., Lev 5:16, 6:5). It acts as a disincentive for rash vows and signifies the sacred value of what was pledged. It acknowledges God's temporary ownership and provides a cost for revoking that dedication.
• of its money (implicit from previous context like v. 16 and kesef "silver" often used for "money" in general): The valuation of the field, according to the standard sanctuary shekel, determines the base amount. The "one-fifth" is calculated upon this base money value.
• to it (עָלָיו – 'alav): Literally "upon it," referring to the total sum of money required for the redemption, indicating the 20% is added to that established value.
• and it shall belong to him (וְהָיָ֥ה לֽוֹ – wəhayah lo): This phrase unequivocally states the outcome: full restoration of ownership to the dedicator. The legal transaction is complete, and the field returns to their possession.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "he who dedicated the field would redeem it": This phrase highlights the unique circumstances of this redemption. It's not someone else buying it, nor is it a defaulted debt; it's the original person who made a holy commitment now choosing to revert it. This internal decision incurs a specific cost because of the previous sacred act.
• "then he shall add one-fifth of its money to it": This legal penalty, or surcharge, is crucial. It underscores the sanctity of items vowed to the Lord. It served several purposes: to discourage rash or impulsive vows, to mark the gravity of retracting a sacred commitment, and perhaps to compensate the sanctuary treasury for the administrative and legal effort involved. It represents a premium for reclaiming something that God had a rightful claim on, even temporarily.
• "and it shall belong to him": This confirms the efficacy of the redemption process. Once the payment, including the additional fifth, is made, the former sacred status as dedicated property is removed, and secular ownership is fully restored. This legal closure reinforces the concept that God's laws provide clear paths for both dedication and redemption, maintaining order and integrity within the covenant relationship.

Leviticus 27 19 Bonus section

The "one-fifth" (20%) addition is a consistent theme in Leviticus regarding restitution or redemption of dedicated items. This precise figure is not arbitrary. It could reflect:

1. A deterrent: A significant enough penalty to discourage individuals from making rash vows they don't intend to keep or lightly breaking a vow to God. It forces careful consideration before vowing.
2. A premium for reclaiming holiness: It highlights the difficulty and cost of "undoing" something once consecrated to God. Items dedicated to God were deemed sacred, and bringing them back into common use required a specific act of financial separation and commitment.
3. Sanctuary Compensation: The added amount likely contributed to the temple or tabernacle treasury, thereby indirectly benefiting the priests and the sacred service. It acts as an acknowledgment of God's prior claim and a support for the institutions of worship.
4. Analogous to Restitution: It is reminiscent of the restitution for unintentional sin against the holy things of the Lord (Lev 5:16), where not only the value taken but also a fifth part is added. This draws a parallel between mismanaging dedicated items and inadvertently transgressing God’s holiness.This system demonstrates God's ordered and just governance, where commitments made to Him have real, measurable implications, teaching reverence for Him and His ordinances.

Leviticus 27 19 Commentary

Leviticus 27:19 clarifies a specific provision for reversing a sacred vow. When a field is dedicated to the Lord, it acquires a holy status, even if only temporarily. The initial dedication is a solemn commitment before God. If the one who made the vow later wishes to reclaim their field, the Mosaic Law permits it, recognizing practicalities, but with a significant condition: an additional payment of 20% of its assessed value. This surcharge, seen across various forms of consecrated item redemption and restitution in Leviticus, serves as a financial consequence and a spiritual deterrent against casual vows. It underscores the seriousness of pledges made to God and the value inherent in what is set apart for Him. This penalty is not simply a fine; it acknowledges God's prior claim and respects the sanctity of the initial dedication. It teaches that devotion to God carries tangible obligations and that re-entering common ownership from sacred use requires an extra measure of commitment or cost, emphasizing God’s holiness and man’s obligation.