Leviticus 27:9 kjv
And if it be a beast, whereof men bring an offering unto the LORD, all that any man giveth of such unto the LORD shall be holy.
Leviticus 27:9 nkjv
'If it is an animal that men may bring as an offering to the LORD, all that anyone gives to the LORD shall be holy.
Leviticus 27:9 niv
"?'If what they vowed is an animal that is acceptable as an offering to the LORD, such an animal given to the LORD becomes holy.
Leviticus 27:9 esv
"If the vow is an animal that may be offered as an offering to the LORD, all of it that he gives to the LORD is holy.
Leviticus 27:9 nlt
"If your vow involves giving an animal that is acceptable as an offering to the LORD, any gift to the LORD will be considered holy.
Leviticus 27 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lev 27:10 | "He shall not alter it, nor change it..." | Immutability of consecrated animals |
| Lev 27:26 | "Only the firstling of the beasts... shall be the Lord’s..." | Distinction from automatic dedication (firstborn) |
| Exod 13:2 | "Sanctify unto me all the firstborn..." | Principle of consecrating firstborn |
| Num 18:9 | "Every offering... they shall be holy for you and your sons." | Holy things belong to the priests |
| Deut 23:21 | "When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it..." | Importance of fulfilling vows |
| Num 30:2 | "If a man vow a vow unto the Lord... he shall not break his word..." | Binding nature of vows |
| Lev 1:2-3 | "If any man of you bring an offering unto the Lord, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle..." | Types of acceptable animals for sacrifice |
| Lev 22:20-22 | "Ye shall not offer unto the Lord that which is blemished..." | Acceptability criteria for offerings |
| Exod 29:37 | "Whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy." | General principle of holiness by consecration |
| Lev 11:44 | "Ye shall be holy; for I am holy." | God's inherent holiness as basis for human holiness |
| 1 Pet 1:15-16 | "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation..." | Christian call to holiness |
| Rom 12:1 | "Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God..." | NT application of dedicating oneself to God |
| Heb 13:16 | "But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." | NT spiritual offerings |
| Phil 4:18 | "An odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God." | Spiritualizing financial gifts as offerings |
| 2 Cor 9:7 | "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give..." | Attitude in giving to God |
| Psa 24:1 | "The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof..." | God's ultimate ownership of all things |
| 1 Cor 6:19-20 | "Ye are not your own... ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body..." | NT perspective: Believers belong to God |
| Deut 15:19 | "All the firstling males... thou shalt sanctify unto the Lord thy God..." | Firstborn males are automatically for the Lord |
| Mal 1:8 | "If ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil?..." | Unacceptable blemished sacrifices |
| Acts 5:1-11 | "But a certain man named Ananias... sold a possession..." | Seriousness of deceptive giving to God |
Leviticus 27 verses
Leviticus 27 9 Meaning
Leviticus 27:9 outlines a specific law concerning animals that have been consecrated or dedicated to the Lord through a vow. It stipulates that if an animal, suitable for being offered as a sacrifice, is dedicated to God, it then becomes absolutely holy. This means it is set apart exclusively for divine purposes, cannot be sold, exchanged, or redeemed, and its status as belonging to God is permanent and irreversible.
Leviticus 27 9 Context
Leviticus 27 serves as an appendix to the ceremonial and moral laws, primarily dealing with the commutation and redemption of vows made to the Lord. It clarifies how dedicated persons, animals, houses, and fields, which were vowed (or 'separated') to God, are to be valued or handled. Verses 9-13 specifically address the dedication of animals. Historically and culturally, vows were a significant practice in Israel, expressing devotion, seeking divine favor, or offering thanksgiving. The chapter distinguishes between items that can be redeemed (persons, houses, fields, unclean animals) and those that cannot (clean sacrificial animals, firstborn, devoted things – herem), emphasizing the varying degrees of sacredness and the irrevocable nature of certain dedications to God. The strictness around clean animals highlights their inherent suitability for sacred rites and God's absolute ownership over them once designated for Him.
Leviticus 27 9 Word analysis
- And if it be of the beasts (וְאִם־בְּהֵמָה - ve'im-behemah): This phrase immediately limits the scope. "Beasts" refers specifically to animals domesticated and considered "clean" and thus suitable for Israelite sacrifices, such as cattle, sheep, and goats (cf. Lev 1:2). It implicitly excludes unclean animals which, as mentioned in subsequent verses (Lev 27:11-13), fall under different rules for dedication.
- whereof men offer an offering (אֲשֶׁר יַקְרִיבוּ מִמֶּנָּה קָרְבָּן - asher yaqrivu mimennah qorban): This further defines the "beasts." The term "offering" (qorban) refers to anything brought near or presented to God. It explicitly states that only animals already permissible for bringing near to the altar (i.e., unblemished clean animals) are considered in this specific type of dedication. This prevents people from attempting to dedicate blemished or unclean animals for sacrificial use.
- unto the Lord (לַיהוָה - la YHWH): Emphasizes the divine recipient. Anything "unto the Lord" is designated for God's exclusive use or honor. It signifies the transfer of ownership from the human to the divine sphere, removing it from common usage.
- all that any man giveth (כָּל אֲשֶׁר יִתֵּן אָדָם - kol asher yitten adam): The word "all" (kol) is crucial, emphasizing totality. It implies a complete and unreserved dedication. Once the act of "giving" (nathan) is done, the item's status is permanently altered; it means no part of it is withheld or reserved for personal use, nor can it be partially reclaimed.
- shall be holy (קֹדֶשׁ יִהְיֶה - qodesh yihyeh): The definitive declaration. "Holy" (qodesh) means set apart, consecrated, distinct from the common. For an animal, being declared holy meant it could not be sold, exchanged for another, redeemed, or put to common use. It became permanently sacred property, often to be utilized by the priests for sacrifice or priestly sustenance, depending on its condition (unblemished animals might be sacrificed, others for priestly sustenance as specified by other laws). This status makes it distinct from items that can be redeemed later in the chapter (Lev 27:11-25).
- Phrase analysis: "beasts whereof men offer an offering unto the Lord" This specific phrasing ensures clarity regarding the type of animals addressed. It is not about any beast, but specifically those fit for Israelite sacrificial worship (clean, unblemished animals like cattle, sheep, goats) when offered as a general vow. It ties the dedication of an animal directly to the sacrificial system already established.
- Phrase analysis: "all that any man giveth unto the Lord shall be holy" This forms the central principle of the verse. It underscores the unalterable, comprehensive nature of dedication. When something fitting is irrevocably committed to God, it takes on His holiness—set apart, inviolable, and wholly belonging to Him, beyond human control or repurposing.
Leviticus 27 9 Bonus section
The immutability of consecrated animals highlights a core theological principle: once something fit for the altar is fully dedicated to God, its status changes fundamentally. It's no longer just an animal; it participates in the sphere of the divine, reflecting God's own holiness. This concept also implicitly guards against "buyer's remorse" or attempts to take back what was solemnly vowed. The severe consequences (e.g., in Numbers 30 or Acts 5 regarding Ananias and Sapphira, though dealing with money/land, the principle of dedication holds) for profaning or dishonestly dealing with dedicated things underscore the seriousness with which God views commitments made to Him. This passage establishes a strict standard for integrity in giving, demonstrating that vows are not to be taken lightly and God fully expects what is promised to Him to remain His.
Leviticus 27 9 Commentary
Leviticus 27:9 defines the legal status of an animal dedicated to God as a vow. Unlike other dedicated items mentioned in this chapter (persons, houses, fields), animals already suitable for sacrifice become unequivocally "holy" upon dedication. This "holiness" means they cannot be exchanged for a better or worse animal, nor can they be sold or redeemed back to common use (Lev 27:10). They permanently belong to the sanctuary, often for priestly use or sacrifice. This provision underscores the sacredness and absolute claim God has on what is explicitly given to Him, especially if it relates to His worship system. It contrasts sharply with "unclean" animals mentioned in verses 11-13, which could be redeemed with a 20% surcharge, highlighting the superior sanctity of things aligned with clean sacrificial rites. The irrevocability of such vows demonstrates the solemnity and earnestness God expects from His people in their covenant promises. Spiritually, it reflects the total surrender required when one dedicates aspects of their lives or resources to God's service.