Leviticus 27 4

Leviticus 27:4 kjv

And if it be a female, then thy estimation shall be thirty shekels.

Leviticus 27:4 nkjv

If it is a female, then your valuation shall be thirty shekels;

Leviticus 27:4 niv

for a female, set her value at thirty shekels;

Leviticus 27:4 esv

If the person is a female, the valuation shall be thirty shekels.

Leviticus 27:4 nlt

A woman of that age is valued at thirty shekels of silver.

Leviticus 27 verses

Leviticus 27 4 Meaning

Leviticus 27:4 states the fixed valuation for a female person, specifically between the ages of twenty and sixty, who has been vowed or dedicated to the Lord. If an individual vowed a woman in this age range to the Lord, her redemption price, if she were to be bought back, was set at thirty shekels of silver. This valuation was an assessment for redemption purposes, not an indication of her inherent human worth or spiritual value.

Leviticus 27 4 Context

Leviticus 27 is an appendix to the laws and ordinances of the Israelite cult presented in the book of Leviticus. It outlines the regulations for making and redeeming vows to the Lord, covering persons, animals, houses, and land. Verse 4 specifically deals with the redemption of a person who has been vowed or dedicated. Such a vow would involve committing a person, perhaps oneself or a child, to the Lord's service or the tabernacle, often for a period of time, similar to Hannah vowing Samuel (1 Sam 1:11). However, since permanent dedication was not always feasible or desired, the Law provided a system for "redemption" – a payment that could release the vowed person or object while still honoring the vow's intent. The valuation in these verses is not based on the person's inherent spiritual or human worth, but on an economic assessment related to their service potential or the societal norm of their "value" for labor in ancient Israel, primarily for the purpose of a monetary contribution to the sanctuary in lieu of physical service. The fixed rates prevent arbitrary pricing and ensure equity within the community for this specific transaction.

Leviticus 27 4 Word analysis

• And if it be: This introductory phrase signals a conditional clause, continuing the categorization of individuals from the previous verses. It means, "And if the vow refers to..." It establishes a distinct scenario following the valuation of males.

• a female: In Hebrew, this is neqevah (נְקֵבָה). This specifies the gender category for the valuation. The differentiation from the male valuation in the preceding verse (Lev 27:3) highlights a distinction based on socio-economic roles and productivity expectations in ancient Israelite society, where physical labor for cultic service (or its economic equivalent) was a factor. This did not diminish a female's spiritual standing or inherent human dignity.

• then thy estimation: In Hebrew, 'erkeka (עֶרְכְּךָ), meaning "your valuation" or "your assessment." This refers to the assessment or estimation made by the priest (or someone qualified by the divine law). The fixed valuations provided in this chapter relieved the priest of arbitrary judgment and ensured a consistent, impartial standard for redemption prices. The use of "thy" (singular, referring to Moses, through whom the law is given) underscores the divine origin and authority of these prescribed values.

• shall be: This term conveys a definitive and binding nature to the valuation. It is not a suggestion or an estimate but a command; the redemption price is precisely thirty shekels. This ensures fairness and predictability in these transactions, preventing haggling or favoritism.

• thirty shekels: In Hebrew, sheloshim sheqel (שְׁלֹשִׁים שֶׁקֶל). A "shekel" was a standard unit of weight and, by extension, currency in the ancient Near East, typically representing about 11.4 grams of silver. This specific amount (30 shekels) was a recognized standard value for a slave in the Old Testament, as seen in Ex 21:32 (the price for a slave gored by an ox). The consistent use of "thirty shekels" for a female between 20-60 years aligns with this socio-economic benchmark. The appearance of "thirty pieces of silver" in the New Testament as the price for Christ's betrayal (Matt 26:15, fulfilling Zech 11:12-13) powerfully connects this ancient legal valuation of human property or life to the divine "value" and ultimate redemption purchased by Jesus. It symbolizes a "slave's price" applied to the Son of God, emphasizing the depth of His humiliation and substitutionary sacrifice for humanity's redemption from the bondage of sin.

• words-group: "And if it be a female, then thy estimation shall be thirty shekels": This entire phrase delineates a precise category within the law of vows and its corresponding redemption value. It illustrates the structured and detailed nature of Israelite law, which aimed to cover various specific situations. The set price points demonstrate a divine order and provision, ensuring clarity for transactions involving the sacred, distinguishing economic roles while underpinning a system of order for all. The economic nature of the valuation also highlights that the offering was not meant to be burdensome beyond one's means (as a "valuation" rather than a rigid fixed sacrifice), while also preventing manipulation of vows for personal gain.

Leviticus 27 4 Bonus section

The concept of "valuation" ('erek) throughout Leviticus 27 is key. It's not a market price determined by demand or individual wealth, but a standardized amount set by divine decree. This prevents either undervaluation, which might trivialise a vow, or overvaluation, which might make redemption impossible. This fixed system reflects God's justice and foresight in managing human interaction with sacred commitments. The thirty shekels, particularly in contrast to the fifty for a male, signifies a social and economic hierarchy common in the ancient world, not an ethical or spiritual one. It underscores that God's laws, while holy and divine, were also intricately woven into the practical realities of the time and culture, providing an orderly way for His people to interact with Him through their vows and commitments.

Leviticus 27 4 Commentary

Leviticus 27:4 forms a part of God's divinely appointed system for handling personal vows within the Israelite community. The valuation of a female between 20 and 60 years at thirty shekels serves as a fixed redemption price, not a reflection of her inherent spiritual or human dignity. This fixed amount, distinct from the male's valuation, acknowledged the prevailing socio-economic roles and expected productivity of individuals in ancient Israelite society, where cultic service often involved physically demanding tasks. By providing a set sum, God ensured that vows, once made, could be honorably fulfilled or redeemed, preventing arbitrary assessments or financial hardship. The consistency of this value with the "price of a slave" elsewhere in the Law prophetically foreshadows the valuation of the ultimate Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who was betrayed for thirty pieces of silver, taking on the "price of a slave" to redeem humanity from spiritual bondage. This verse therefore, in its detailed practicality, subtly points to a larger theme of divine redemption, where all things have a cost in the context of their release.