Leviticus 27 7

Leviticus 27:7 kjv

And if it be from sixty years old and above; if it be a male, then thy estimation shall be fifteen shekels, and for the female ten shekels.

Leviticus 27:7 nkjv

and if from sixty years old and above, if it is a male, then your valuation shall be fifteen shekels, and for a female ten shekels.

Leviticus 27:7 niv

for a person sixty years old or more, set the value of a male at fifteen shekels and of a female at ten shekels.

Leviticus 27:7 esv

And if the person is sixty years old or over, then the valuation for a male shall be fifteen shekels, and for a female ten shekels.

Leviticus 27:7 nlt

A man older than sixty is valued at fifteen shekels of silver; a woman of that age is valued at ten shekels of silver.

Leviticus 27 verses

Leviticus 27 7 Meaning

Leviticus 27:7 specifies the divine estimation, or fixed redemption value, for an elderly person who has been vowed or consecrated to the Lord. For a male aged sixty years or older, the valuation is set at fifteen shekels of silver, and for a female in the same age bracket, it is ten shekels. This law provides the monetary compensation required for redeeming an individual from such a vow, acknowledging God's ownership and establishing a specific value for this specific legal transaction within the Mosaic covenant. The valuations across chapter 27 generally reflect physical capacity for service within ancient Israelite society, but this particular value shows the lowest redemption price, indicating diminished physical ability in old age, rather than diminishing personal worth.

Leviticus 27 7 Context

Leviticus chapter 27 concludes the legal discourse within the book of Leviticus, providing a series of regulations concerning vows and dedications to the Lord. Specifically, it addresses how consecrated persons, animals, houses, and land can be redeemed, or a monetary equivalent provided, instead of fulfilling the exact terms of a vow. The preceding verses (Lev 27:2-6) detail the monetary valuations for males and females in younger age categories (from one month to under sixty years old). Verse 7 completes this table by giving the lowest valuation for individuals aged sixty and above. This entire chapter demonstrates that while vows are sacred and God holds individuals accountable, He also provides a mechanism for financial substitution, ensuring practicality while upholding holiness and the sanctity of vows. The values provided are fixed "estimations" (erek), divinely mandated and not negotiable, indicating God's authority in defining what is due to Him in such instances.

Leviticus 27 7 Word analysis

• And if it be from sixty years old and upward: This phrase specifies the oldest age bracket for which a dedicated person's redemption value is given. It delineates a phase of life where physical strength and productive capacity, traditionally associated with heavy labor or direct service, were generally diminishing.
• if it be a male: This identifies the specific gender within this age group for distinct valuation, as was customary in various aspects of ancient Near Eastern economic and social life, where roles and capacities often differed between men and women.
• then thy estimation shall be fifteen shekels:
  • thy estimation: The Hebrew word here is `ʿerek` (עֶרֶךְ), which refers to a fixed valuation, an assessment, or a set price. It is not an arbitrary market value but a divinely stipulated assessment for the purpose of redeeming a person vowed to the Lord. This divine assessment underscores God's sovereignty over what is considered valuable and holy.
  • fifteen shekels: A shekel (שֶׁקֶל, `sheqel`) was a standard unit of weight, which also functioned as currency. In the context of the sanctuary, the "sanctuary shekel" (Exod 30:13, Lev 5:15) was a specific standard, generally accepted as twenty gerahs. This specific amount (15 shekels) is significantly lower than for younger males (e.g., 50 shekels for males 20-60 years old in Lev 27:3), reflecting the practical considerations of an elderly person's ability to render service or contribute labor that would otherwise be dedicated to the sanctuary.
• and for the female ten shekels: This denotes the distinct, and lower, valuation for women in the same elderly age group. Similar to the male valuation, it's tied to socio-economic perspectives on labor and contribution in that cultural context. While physically active for their age, their perceived capacity for rigorous service, traditionally considered a male domain in some aspects of the cultic system, yielded a lower estimation for redemptive purposes, not implying lesser inherent worth or spiritual standing before God.

• sixty years old and upward…male…female: This group of words emphasizes the fixed, divine criteria based on age and sex, revealing a structured and objective legal framework for redemption that leaves no room for arbitrary pricing. This methodical approach highlights the order and fairness embedded in God's laws, despite the valuations seeming low compared to other age groups. It speaks to a practical assessment within the parameters of dedication laws.
• thy estimation shall be: This phrase highlights that the value is divinely determined and legally binding, emphasizing God's authority to set terms for fulfilling sacred obligations, rather than leaving it to human discretion or fluctuating market values. It speaks to a legal valuation given by the Lord for covenantal purposes.

Leviticus 27 7 Bonus section

The progressive decrease in redemption values from younger age groups (20-60 years, 50 shekels male; 5-20 years, 20 shekels male) down to the elderly demonstrates a consistent underlying principle in this chapter: the valuations relate to the perceived economic capacity or potential for service associated with a person's life stage within ancient Israel. This practical assessment allowed a means for vows to be fulfilled without literally forcing dedicated individuals into service, especially the very young, infirm, or elderly, by offering a fair and divinely established monetary alternative. The use of the "sanctuary shekel" underscores that these transactions are not mere economic exchanges but are holy, set apart by God Himself.

Leviticus 27 7 Commentary

Leviticus 27:7 specifies the redemption price for persons aged sixty and above who have been dedicated by a vow to the Lord. The valuations—fifteen shekels for a male and ten for a female—are the lowest in the entire chapter's schema, which calculates estimations based primarily on an individual's physical capacity for labor or service in the ancient Israelite context. This valuation reflects the societal understanding that physical vigor decreases with age, affecting potential productive contribution. However, it is crucial to understand that this monetary assessment is for a specific ritual-legal purpose—the redemption of a vow—and does not reflect on the intrinsic human worth, dignity, or spiritual value of the elderly in God's eyes, who are elsewhere commanded respect and honor (Lev 19:32). This law provided a fixed, standardized way to convert a human dedication vow into a financial offering, preventing exploitation or arbitrary pricing, while simultaneously emphasizing the solemnity of vows and God's authority in their fulfillment.