Leviticus 27 27

Leviticus 27:27 kjv

And if it be of an unclean beast, then he shall redeem it according to thine estimation, and shall add a fifth part of it thereto: or if it be not redeemed, then it shall be sold according to thy estimation.

Leviticus 27:27 nkjv

And if it is an unclean animal, then he shall redeem it according to your valuation, and shall add one-fifth to it; or if it is not redeemed, then it shall be sold according to your valuation.

Leviticus 27:27 niv

If it is one of the unclean animals, it may be bought back at its set value, adding a fifth of the value to it. If it is not redeemed, it is to be sold at its set value.

Leviticus 27:27 esv

And if it is an unclean animal, then he shall buy it back at the valuation, and add a fifth to it; or, if it is not redeemed, it shall be sold at the valuation.

Leviticus 27:27 nlt

However, you may buy back the firstborn of a ceremonially unclean animal by paying the priest's assessment of its worth, plus 20 percent. If you do not buy it back, the priest will sell it at its assessed value.

Leviticus 27 verses

Leviticus 27 27 Meaning

This verse specifies the procedure for dealing with an unclean animal dedicated to the Lord through a vow. Unlike clean animals, unclean ones cannot be sacrificed. Therefore, if a person vows an unclean beast, they have two options: either redeem it by paying its assessed value plus an additional one-fifth (20%) of that value, or if it is not redeemed by the vow-maker, it must be sold to someone else for its assessed value. The rules emphasize the seriousness of vows made to the Lord and establish an alternative for items not suitable for the altar, while still requiring compensation to the sanctuary.

Leviticus 27 27 Context

Leviticus chapter 27 provides detailed regulations concerning vows made to the Lord. While the main body of Leviticus focuses on sacrifices, priesthood, and ceremonial cleanliness, chapter 27 addresses various dedications or sanctifications to God that fall outside regular offerings, often involving property, persons, or animals. These vows indicate a voluntary act of devotion. This particular verse (27:27) follows directly from rules about dedicating other types of animals, specifically firstborn animals (which are already God's, 27:26) and clean animals suitable for sacrifice (27:11-12). It introduces the unique scenario of an animal that is ceremonially "unclean" according to Mosaic Law (e.g., a donkey or pig). Since such an animal cannot be offered on the altar as a sacrifice, special provisions are necessary to reconcile the vow made to the Lord with the unsuitability of the object for sacrificial worship. The rules emphasize that even if the item itself is unfit for the altar, the seriousness of the vow remains, and a financial equivalent or penalty is required to honor the dedication to God.

Leviticus 27 27 Word analysis

• And if it be of an unclean beast (וְאִם־בַּבְּהֵמָה הַטְּמֵאָה - wə'im-bab·bəhēmāh hattəme'ah):

  • וְאִם (wə'im - And if): Introduces a conditional clause, outlining a specific circumstance for this law.
  • בַּבְּהֵמָה (babbəhēmāh - of the beast): Refers to an animal, likely domesticated livestock, but in this context specifically those listed as impure.
  • הַטְּמֵאָה (hattəme'ah - the unclean): From טָמֵא (ṭāmē'). Signifies ceremonial impurity, making it unfit for sacrifice or for consumption by Israelites according to dietary laws (Lev 11). This highlights the legal challenge: an item vowed to the holy Lord cannot itself be ritually impure if it were to be directly used for sacred purposes.

• then he shall redeem it (וְנִפְדָּה אֹתָהּ - wənifdâh 'ōtāh):

  • וְנִפְדָּה (wənifdâh - then he shall redeem): From the root פָדָה (padah), meaning to ransom, buy back, or deliver. This term is crucial, as it provides an alternative for things unsuitable for the altar, maintaining the principle of devotion while accommodating the ritual requirements. It's an act of "buying back" something that was previously dedicated to God.

• according to thine estimation (בְּעֶרְכְּךָ - bəʿerkekā):

  • בְּעֶרְכְּךָ (bəʿerkekā - according to your estimation): From עֵרֶךְ (erekh), meaning a valuation or assessment. This refers to the value determined by the priest, based on various factors such as the animal's size, health, and market value. The priest acts as an impartial adjudicator, reflecting divine authority in determining the worth of consecrated items.

• and shall add a fifth part thereto (וְיָסַף חֲמִשִׁיתוֹ - wəyāsof ḥamishîtō):

  • וְיָסַף (wəyāsof - and shall add): From יָסַף (yasaf), to increase or add.
  • חֲמִשִׁיתוֹ (ḥamishîtō - its fifth part): Literally "its fifth," meaning one-fifth or 20%. This additional charge served multiple purposes: it was a penalty for rescinding a vow (even if necessary due to the animal's nature), a deterrent against making rash or frivolous vows, and a way to underscore the sacredness and unchangeable nature of commitments made to God. It made the redemption costly.

• or if it be not redeemed (וְאִם לֹא יִפָּדוֹת - wə'im lō' yippādôt):

  • וְאִם לֹא (wə'im lō' - or if not): Presents the alternative scenario to redemption.
  • יִפָּדוֹת (yippādôt - it is redeemed): The passive form, meaning "it is not redeemed" or "if redemption does not take place." This clause indicates the consequence if the vow-maker chooses not to buy back the dedicated animal.

• then it shall be sold according to thy estimation (וְנִמְכַּר בְּעֶרְכֶּךָ - wənimkar bəʿerkekā):

  • וְנִמְכַּר (wənimkar - then it shall be sold): From מָכַר (makar), meaning to sell. Since it cannot be sacrificed or kept for the sanctuary's use (as it's unclean), its value must still be obtained for the Lord.
  • בְּעֶרְכֶּךָ (bəʿerkekā - according to your estimation): Reaffirms that the sale price is fixed by the priestly valuation, ensuring consistency and fair assessment on behalf of the Lord.

Leviticus 27 27 Bonus section

The inclusion of unclean animals in the law of vows (Lev 27:27) stands in stark contrast to their exclusion from sacrificial worship (e.g., Lev 1:1-2, where only clean animals are mentioned). This differentiation reveals the flexibility within the Law to manage a variety of circumstances while upholding the sanctity of God's demands. The very fact that an unclean animal could be vowed suggests a potential for rash vows or a desire for dedication beyond conventional offerings. The provision for redemption or sale for the "estimation" (ערכך, `erkeka) indicates that while the physical object might be unfit, the value associated with the vow must still be paid to the sanctuary treasury, thereby transferring the spiritual dedication into material support for God's house. This law ensures that God loses nothing from a poorly chosen vow object, and the vower still bears the full financial burden of their sacred pledge. This law, along with others requiring a 20% increase for restitution or redemption, such as in cases of sacrilege (Lev 5:16) or fraud (Num 5:7), demonstrates a consistent legal principle in the Mosaic Law where additional payment signified genuine restitution, acknowledgment of error, or the cost of reverting a sacred commitment.

Leviticus 27 27 Commentary

Leviticus 27:27 encapsulates critical principles concerning holiness, vows, and God's absolute ownership. When an unclean animal is vowed to the Lord, it poses a dilemma: it is dedicated, yet unfit for the altar. The solution is not to void the vow, but to provide a mechanism for honoring it indirectly. The valuation by the priest highlights divine authority and impartiality in administering consecrated things. The provision of redemption with an added 20% surcharge served not only as compensation but also as a powerful deterrent. It underscored the seriousness of making a vow to God, making retraction costly and encouraging thoughtful commitment. If not redeemed, the sale of the animal still secured the dedicated value for the sanctuary, affirming that everything vowed to God must ultimately render its worth. This showcases God's justice in upholding His decrees and the sacredness of human promises made to Him, even when practicality dictates a non-sacrificial outcome. The ultimate intent was to foster reverence and integrity in a worshiper's interaction with the Divine.