Bible Commentaries
Leviticus 27

Introduction

Overview

Leviticus 27:1, He that makes a singular vow must be the Lord’s; Leviticus 27:3, The estimation of the person; Leviticus 27:9, of a beast given by vow; Leviticus 27:14, of a house; Leviticus 27:16, of a field, and the redemption thereof; Leviticus 27:28, No devoted thing may be redeemed; Leviticus 27:30, The tithe may not be changed.

Verse 1

Reciprocal: Genesis 28:20 - vowed Leviticus 26:46 - General

Verse 2

When: Genesis 28:20-22, Numbers 6:2, Numbers 21:2, Deuteronomy 23:21-23, Judges 11:30, Judges 11:31, Judges 11:39, 1 Samuel 1:11, 1 Samuel 1:28

a singular vow: A vow is a religious promise made to God, for the most part with prayer, and paid with thanksgiving. Vows were either of abstinence - Num. 6 and chapter 30 or the devoting of something to the Lord, as sacrifices - Leviticus 7:16, or the value of persons, beasts, houses, or lands, concerning which the law is here given. A man might vow or devote himself, his children, his domestics, his cattle, his goods, etc.; and respecting the redemption of all these, rules are laid down in this chapter. But if, after consecrating these things, he refused to redeem them, they then became the Lord's property forever. The persons continued all their lives devoted to the sanctuary, the goods were sold for the profit of the temple, or the priests; and the animals, if clean, were offered in sacrifice; and if not proper for sacrifice, were sold, and the proceeds devoted to sacred uses. This is a general view of the different laws relative to vows, mentioned in this chapter. Ecclesiastes 5:4, Ecclesiastes 5:5

Reciprocal: Leviticus 5:4 - to do evil Numbers 15:3 - performing Numbers 18:16 - according Numbers 30:2 - vow a vow 2 Kings 12:4 - that every man is set at Nehemiah 7:46 - Nethinims Psalms 50:14 - pay Malachi 3:8 - In Matthew 27:9 - thirty

Verse 3

And thy estimation: Leviticus 27:14, Leviticus 5:15, Leviticus 6:6, Numbers 18:16, 2 Kings 12:4, *marg.

fifty shekels: i.e, At three shillings each, 7. 10s. sterling.

after the: Leviticus 27:25, Exodus 30:13

Reciprocal: Exodus 38:24 - the shekel Numbers 7:13 - the shekel Judges 11:31 - shall surely

Verse 4

thirty shekels: i.e., 4. 10s. sterling, A little more than one-half the value of a man; for this obvious reason, that a woman, if employed, would not be of so much use in the sanctuary as the man. Zechariah 11:12, Zechariah 11:13, Matthew 26:15, Matthew 27:9, Matthew 27:10

Reciprocal: Judges 11:39 - did with

Verse 5

twenty shekels: i.e. 3, sterling

ten shekels: i.e. 1, 10s. sterling Leviticus 27:5

Verse 6

from: Numbers 3:40-43, Numbers 18:14-16

the male: The male five shekels, 15s., the female three shekels, 9s. Being both in infancy they were nearly of an equal value.

Reciprocal: Numbers 3:47 - five shekels

Verse 7

from: Psalms 90:10

fifteen: The old man and the old woman, being almost past labour, were nearly of an equal value; the former being estimated at 15 shekels, and the latter at 10.

Verse 8

poorer: Leviticus 5:7, Leviticus 12:8, Leviticus 14:21, Leviticus 14:22, Mark 14:7, Luke 21:1-4, 2 Corinthians 8:12

according: Jeremiah 5:7

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 16:17 - as he is able 2 Kings 7:5 - behold

Verse 9

all: is holy, i.e. separated and devoted; it cannot be redeemed like a human being, a house, or a field - Young Leviticus 27:9

Reciprocal: Leviticus 5:15 - in the Proverbs 20:25 - after Ecclesiastes 5:6 - it was Ezekiel 48:14 - for Matthew 15:5 - It is

Verse 10

Leviticus 27:15-33, James 1:8

Reciprocal: Leviticus 27:13 - General Leviticus 27:33 - General Proverbs 20:25 - after Ecclesiastes 5:6 - it was Ezekiel 48:14 - they shall

Verse 11

Deuteronomy 23:18, Malachi 1:14

Reciprocal: Leviticus 27:27 - and shall add Judges 11:31 - and I will

Verse 12

as thou valuest it:, who art the priest: Heb. according to thy estimation, O priest, etc. Leviticus 27:14

Reciprocal: Leviticus 27:23 - General Judges 11:31 - and I will 2 Kings 12:4 - dedicated things

Verse 13

Leviticus 27:10, Leviticus 27:15, Leviticus 27:19, Leviticus 5:16, Leviticus 6:4, Leviticus 6:5, Leviticus 22:14

Reciprocal: Leviticus 27:31 - General

Verse 14

sanctify: Leviticus 27:21, Leviticus 25:29-31, Numbers 18:14, Psalms 101:2-7

as the priest: Leviticus 27:12

Reciprocal: Leviticus 27:3 - And thy estimation Numbers 8:17 - I sanctified

Verse 15

then he shall add: Leviticus 27:13

Reciprocal: Leviticus 5:16 - the fifth Leviticus 22:14 - General Leviticus 27:10 - General Numbers 8:17 - I sanctified

Verse 16

some part: Though the words "some part" are not expressed, yet it is generally allowed that they should be supplied here; as it was not lawful for a man to alienate in this manner his whole patrimony. He might express his good will for the house of God but he must not impoverish his own family.

of a field: Acts 4:34-37, Acts 5:4

an homer: or, the land of an homer, etc. i.e. as much land as required a homer of barley to sow it, The homer was very different from the omer; the latter held about three quarts, the former seventy-five gallons three pints. Isaiah 5:10, Ezekiel 45:11-14, Hosea 3:2

Verse 17

Reciprocal: Leviticus 25:9 - jubilee Leviticus 25:10 - every man Leviticus 25:11 - A jubilee Leviticus 25:13 - General

Verse 18

Leviticus 25:15, Leviticus 25:16, Leviticus 25:27, Leviticus 25:51, Leviticus 25:52

Reciprocal: Leviticus 27:23 - General

Verse 19

Leviticus 27:13

Verse 20

Reciprocal: Leviticus 27:24 - General

Verse 21

when: Leviticus 25:10, Leviticus 25:28, Leviticus 25:31

devoted: It is cherem, a thing so devoted to God, as never more to be capable of being redeemed. Leviticus 27:28, Leviticus 27:29, Deuteronomy 13:17, Joshua 6:17, Ezra 10:8, Ezekiel 44:29, *marg.

priest's: Numbers 18:14, Ezekiel 44:29

Reciprocal: Leviticus 27:14 - sanctify Ezekiel 48:12 - a thing

Verse 22

his possession: Leviticus 25:10, Leviticus 25:25

Verse 23

Leviticus 27:12, Leviticus 27:18

Verse 24

Leviticus 27:20, Leviticus 25:28

Reciprocal: Leviticus 25:9 - jubilee

Verse 25

And all: Leviticus 27:3

to the shekel: A standard shekel; the standard being kept in the sanctuary, to try and regulate all the weights in the land by.

twenty: Exodus 30:13, Numbers 3:47, Numbers 18:16, Ezekiel 45:12

Reciprocal: Exodus 38:24 - the shekel Leviticus 5:15 - the shekel Numbers 7:13 - the shekel

Verse 26

the firstling: Heb. first born, etc. As these firstlings were the Lord's before, it would have been a solemn mockery to pretend to make them a matter of a singular vow; for they were already appointed, if clean, to be sacrificed.

which: Exodus 13:2, Exodus 13:12, Exodus 13:13, Exodus 22:30, Numbers 18:17, Deuteronomy 15:19

Reciprocal: Numbers 3:13 - Because Numbers 8:17 - I sanctified Numbers 18:15 - openeth 2 Kings 7:5 - behold 1 Chronicles 6:28 - firstborn Nehemiah 10:36 - the firstborn

Verse 27

and shall add: This was probably intended to prevent rash vows and covetous redemptions. The priest alone was to value the thing; and to whatever his valuation was, a fifth part must be added by him who wished to redeem it. Leviticus 27:11-13

Reciprocal: Leviticus 5:16 - the fifth Numbers 18:15 - the firstborn Nehemiah 10:36 - the firstborn

Verse 28

no devoted: This is the cherem, the absolute, irredeemable grant to God. Leviticus 27:21, Exodus 22:20, Numbers 21:2, Numbers 21:3, Deuteronomy 7:1, Deuteronomy 7:2, Deuteronomy 13:15, Deuteronomy 13:16, Deuteronomy 20:16, Deuteronomy 20:17, Deuteronomy 25:19, Joshua 6:17-19, Joshua 6:26, Joshua 7:1, Joshua 7:11-13, Joshua 7:25, Judges 11:30, Judges 11:31, Judges 21:5, Judges 21:11, Judges 21:18, 1 Samuel 14:24-28, 1 Samuel 14:38-45, 1 Samuel 15:3, 1 Samuel 15:18, 1 Samuel 15:32, 1 Samuel 15:33, Matthew 25:41, Acts 23:12-14, Romans 9:3, 1 Corinthians 16:22, Galatians 3:10, Galatians 3:13

Reciprocal: Numbers 16:26 - I pray you Numbers 16:37 - hallowed Numbers 18:14 - General Deuteronomy 2:34 - utterly destroyed Deuteronomy 3:6 - we utterly Deuteronomy 7:26 - shalt Deuteronomy 13:17 - cursed Joshua 9:23 - General Judges 11:35 - have opened Judges 11:39 - did with 2 Chronicles 31:14 - the most Ezra 10:8 - forfeited Ezekiel 44:29 - dedicated Ezekiel 48:14 - they shall

Verse 29

None: Numbers 21:2, Numbers 21:3, 1 Samuel 15:18-23

which shall be devoted: That is, either that every person devoted to the service of God shall not be redeemed, but die in that devoted state, or, that such as were devoted to death by appointment and law of God, as the Canaanites were, shall be put to death.

Reciprocal: Leviticus 27:21 - devoted Numbers 16:26 - I pray you Deuteronomy 2:34 - utterly destroyed Deuteronomy 3:6 - we utterly Deuteronomy 7:2 - utterly Deuteronomy 7:26 - shalt Deuteronomy 13:17 - cursed Joshua 6:17 - accursed Joshua 9:23 - General Judges 11:31 - shall surely Judges 11:35 - have opened Judges 11:39 - did with Judges 21:5 - a great oath 1 Samuel 14:24 - Cursed 1 Samuel 15:3 - utterly destroy Acts 23:12 - under a curse

Verse 30

Genesis 14:20, Genesis 28:22, Numbers 18:21-24, Deuteronomy 12:5, Deuteronomy 12:6, Deuteronomy 14:22, Deuteronomy 14:23, 2 Chronicles 31:5, 2 Chronicles 31:6, 2 Chronicles 31:12, Nehemiah 10:37, Nehemiah 10:38, Nehemiah 12:44, Nehemiah 13:5, Nehemiah 13:12, Malachi 3:8-10, Matthew 23:23, Luke 11:42, Luke 18:12, Hebrews 7:5-9

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 12:17 - the tithe Deuteronomy 26:12 - the tithes 2 Chronicles 11:14 - their possession 2 Chronicles 31:4 - the portion Proverbs 20:25 - a snare

Verse 31

Leviticus 27:13

Reciprocal: Leviticus 5:16 - the fifth 2 Kings 12:4 - dedicated things Proverbs 20:25 - after

Verse 32

passeth under the rod: The Rabbins say, that when a man gave the tithe of his sheep or calves, he shut them in one fold, in which was a narrow door, to let out but one at a time. He then stood by the door, with a rod dipped in vermilion in his hand, and as they passed he counted them with the rod; and when the tenth came he touched it, by which it was distinguished as the tithe calf, sheep, etc. Jeremiah 33:13, Ezekiel 20:37, Micah 7:14

Reciprocal: Genesis 47:24 - the fifth part Exodus 4:2 - a rod Deuteronomy 12:6 - tithes Ezekiel 48:14 - for Zechariah 11:7 - staves Hebrews 7:2 - a tenth

Verse 33

Leviticus 27:10

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 12:6 - tithes Ezekiel 48:14 - they shall

Verse 34

commandments: Leviticus 26:46, Deuteronomy 4:45, John 1:17

in mount: Numbers 1:1, Galatians 4:24, Galatians 4:25, Hebrews 12:18-25

Reciprocal: Exodus 3:12 - ye shall Numbers 3:1 - spake Numbers 36:13 - the commandments Deuteronomy 4:44 - General Deuteronomy 6:1 - the commandments Nehemiah 1:7 - the commandments Nehemiah 9:14 - commandedst