Leviticus 27 28

Leviticus 27:28 kjv

Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall devote unto the LORD of all that he hath, both of man and beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed: every devoted thing is most holy unto the LORD.

Leviticus 27:28 nkjv

'Nevertheless no devoted offering that a man may devote to the LORD of all that he has, both man and beast, or the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed; every devoted offering is most holy to the LORD.

Leviticus 27:28 niv

"?'But nothing that a person owns and devotes to the LORD?whether a human being or an animal or family land?may be sold or redeemed; everything so devoted is most holy to the LORD.

Leviticus 27:28 esv

"But no devoted thing that a man devotes to the LORD, of anything that he has, whether man or beast, or of his inherited field, shall be sold or redeemed; every devoted thing is most holy to the LORD.

Leviticus 27:28 nlt

"However, anything specially set apart for the LORD ? whether a person, an animal, or family property ? must never be sold or bought back. Anything devoted in this way has been set apart as holy, and it belongs to the LORD.

Leviticus 27 verses

Leviticus 27 28 Meaning

Leviticus 27:28 establishes a profound and unalterable principle concerning items, animals, or even persons, specifically designated as "devoted things" (cherem) to the Lord. Unlike other forms of dedications that could be redeemed or sold back, a cherem item is irrevocably separated for God. It signifies ultimate divine ownership and is deemed "most holy" to the Lord, meaning it cannot be repurposed, bought back, or transferred from its consecrated state. This total devotion means it is forever excluded from common use, commerce, or private benefit, affirming God's absolute sovereignty over what is uniquely set apart for Him.

Leviticus 27 28 Context

Leviticus Chapter 27 concludes the Book of Leviticus, specifically addressing laws concerning vows and dedicated things. Throughout the chapter, regulations are provided for different types of dedications a person might make to the Lord, including people, animals, houses, and fields, often with specified redemption values. However, verse 28 stands as a stark exception to these redemption possibilities. It introduces cherem, the "devoted thing," which holds the highest degree of sanctity and irrevocability.

Historically, the concept of cherem served to emphasize God's absolute sovereignty and Israel's commitment to complete obedience. It was particularly applied in holy war, where certain conquered entities (cities, inhabitants, spoil) were placed under the ban, meaning they were totally consecrated to God, often for destruction, to prevent idolatry or contamination, and to affirm that victory and bounty came solely from God, not for human gain. This verse distinguishes such absolute devotion from general vows, highlighting that some things, once fully consecrated to God under this specific designation, are permanently beyond human claim or transaction, emphasizing God's unique and exclusive ownership.

Leviticus 27 28 Word Analysis

• Notwithstanding (אַךְ - akh): This word functions as a strong disjunctive particle, introducing a contrast or an exception to the preceding regulations in the chapter. It emphasizes that what follows is a special, unredeemable category.
• no devoted thing (כָּל־חֵרֶם - kol cherem):
  • כל (kol): "all," "every," "no" (with negation). Indicates totality.
  • חֵרֶם (cherem): This is a pivotal term. Its root implies "to ban," "to put under a ban," "to totally separate for destruction or exclusive use by God." It refers to something irrevocably set apart, cut off from common use. While it can involve destruction (e.g., in holy war, Joshua), it fundamentally means complete and permanent consecration to the Lord, never to be converted to personal profit or mundane use.
• that a man shall devote (יַחֲרִם - yacharem): From the same root cherem. This highlights the intentional act of dedicating something in this absolute manner. It's a conscious decision by the individual.
• unto the LORD (לַיהוָה - la YHWH): Clearly states the beneficiary of this ultimate dedication – the personal name of God, indicating His sole ownership and authority over the cherem.
• of all that he hath (מִכָּל־אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ - mi-kol asher-lo): Encompasses everything a person possesses, demonstrating the wide scope of what could be voluntarily (or sometimes involuntarily, through battle) placed under this most stringent vow.
• both of man and beast (מֵאָדָם וְעַד־בְּהֵמָה - me’adam ve-’ad-behemah): Explicitly includes humans, a crucial and serious point. While animals under cherem would be sacrificed or killed without benefiting anyone, for humans, Leviticus 27:29 clarifies that a person dedicated as cherem "shall surely be put to death." This underscores the extreme nature of cherem where no human element, not even a person, can be redeemed or saved from the consequences of this absolute vow, signifying that their life is absolutely consecrated to God, even unto death, not for sacrifice but as total separation unto Him.
• and of the field of his possession (וּמִשְׂדֵה אֲחֻזָּתוֹ - u-misdeh achuzzato): Includes land, emphasizing that tangible assets can also be so completely devoted.
• shall be sold (יִמָּכֵר - yimmacher): From makar, "to sell." Indicates prohibition of commercial transaction.
• or redeemed (יִגָּאֵל - yigga’el): From ga'al, "to redeem," "to ransom." Prohibits repurchase or reacquisition by any means, in stark contrast to other votive offerings mentioned in the chapter.
• every devoted thing is most holy (כָּל־חֵרֶם קֹדֶשׁ קָדָשִׁים - kol cherem qodesh qodashim):
  • קֹדֶשׁ קָדָשִׁים (qodesh qodashim): Literally "holiness of holinesses," or "most holy." This is the highest designation of sanctity in the Tabernacle/Temple system, applying to things utterly set apart for God's exclusive use, often related to the inner sanctuary, sacrificial blood, or priestly portions that no ordinary person could touch or consume. Applying it to cherem emphasizes its absolute sanctity and total separation for God.
• unto the LORD (לַיהוָה - la YHWH): Reiteration of ultimate divine ownership and purpose.

Words-group Analysis

• "no devoted thing... unto the LORD... shall be sold or redeemed": This phrase encapsulates the core legal principle: once an item (or person, or property) is put under cherem, it exits the realm of human exchange and ownership forever, becoming solely God's. It signifies the permanent surrender of ownership and claim.
• "of all that he hath, both of man and beast, and of the field of his possession": This expansive clause details the universal scope of cherem, highlighting that virtually anything could be irrevocably devoted, emphasizing the radical and comprehensive nature of such a vow when chosen or enacted by divine command. The inclusion of "man" directly foreshadows the critical clarification in the very next verse regarding the fate of humans dedicated as cherem.
• "every devoted thing is most holy unto the LORD": This powerful declaration defines the status of a cherem item. It's not just "holy," but "most holy" (holiness of holinesses), marking it as utterly sacred, inviolable, and exclusive to God, reflecting the sanctity of the Tabernacle's inner core itself. This profound designation elevates it beyond human manipulation or appropriation.

Leviticus 27 28 Bonus Section

• Divine Sovereignty and Justice: The concept of cherem, particularly when it involved destruction (as in holy war), underscores God's absolute sovereignty and justice. What was deemed accursed or an abomination due to its extreme sinfulness (e.g., idolatrous cities) was declared cherem to ensure spiritual purity and prevent Israel's corruption. This demonstrated God's right to exact justice and cleanse the land, rendering such things unfit for human use or survival.
• No Commercialization of the Sacred: This verse, by prohibiting sale or redemption, safeguards against the commercialization or trivialization of genuinely sacred items. It establishes that certain aspects of spiritual life and divine dedication are entirely outside human economic systems or bartering, maintaining their unblemished sanctity.
• Abolition of Human Sacrifice, Yet Ultimate Surrender: While the verse allows for humans to be designated cherem, the immediately following verse (27:29) clarifies the extreme fate for such cases: "None devoted, which shall be devoted of men, shall be redeemed; but shall surely be put to death." This must be understood within the biblical framework that strongly condemned Canaanite human sacrifice (e.g., Deut 18:10-12). Thus, cherem of a person was not about ritual sacrifice, but about total and irrevocable surrender to God, to the point of yielding life. This principle profoundly highlighted that God owned life itself and that true ultimate dedication might require the ultimate cost, distinguishing it from pagan practices by its unique divine authorization and context, although its implementation, such as in the case of Jephthah's vow, generated complex theological discussions throughout Israel's history.
• Ultimate Sacrifice in New Testament: The concept of absolute, irreversible dedication finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. His sacrifice was cherem in a spiritual sense—utterly devoted to God, irreversible, perfect, and establishing a "most holy" covenant, fully redeeming humanity without being subject to sale or repetition (Heb 9:14, 10:10). Believers, through Christ, are similarly called to a total "devotion" or presentation of their lives as living sacrifices (Rom 12:1), entirely set apart for the Lord.

Leviticus 27 28 Commentary

Leviticus 27:28 functions as the capstone of the laws regarding vows and dedications, setting a clear boundary for absolute consecration. It reveals that the cherem (devoted thing) stands in a unique category, transcending other forms of dedication because it signifies an irreversible surrender to God. This irrevocability underscores divine ownership, implying that what is cherem is so completely set apart for the Lord that it cannot revert to human possession or be involved in any form of commerce. It becomes maximally holy (qodesh qodashim), distinct from anything redeemable. This profound declaration showcases God's demand for ultimate reverence and absolute dedication for what is given entirely to Him, prohibiting any human benefit or reassertion of claim over what is divinely consecrated.

For instance, consider:

• An item placed under cherem would be like an individual deciding to dedicate their entire life and resources completely to serving God in a monastic setting, with no possibility of returning to their previous secular life or accumulating personal wealth.
• A property dedicated as cherem would be akin to land specifically consecrated as a permanent sanctuary or sacred ground, never to be developed for profit or sold as private real estate, always remaining solely for its designated holy purpose.