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Leviticus 27

34 verses

TL;DR

Leviticus 27 lays out detailed laws for the valuation and sanctification of vows, animals, houses, fields, and tithes, emphasizing the holiness of offerings and the process of redemption.

Summary

The chapter begins with God instructing Moses to tell Israel how to value a single vow, giving specific silver amounts for men, women, and different age groups. It then turns to the rules for offering animals, declaring all such offerings holy and forbidding exchanges unless the priest values them appropriately, with a penalty for redeeming certain unclean animals. Sanctification of houses and fields is addressed next, with the priest assigning value based on size or seed, and instructions for redemption or loss of the property, especially in relation to the Jubilee year. The text also deals with the special status of firstlings, the prohibition against sacrificing them, and the conditions for redeeming or selling them. Finally, the chapter declares all tithes and portions of the herd as holy, setting forth the rules for their redemption and the consequences of non‑consecration, culminating in the command that these laws be known as the statutes given to Moses at Mount Sinai.

Outline
  1. Valuation of single vows and sanctification of animals
  2. Sanctification and redemption of houses, fields, and firstlings
  3. Tithes, holy portions, and final statutes
Themes
Holiness and consecrationEconomic fairness and valuationCovenantal law and ritual practice
Keywords
vowsanctifyholypriestvalueshekelfirstlingtithejubileeredeem
People
Mosesthe LORDpriestchildren of Israel
Places
Mount Sinaisanctuary
Things
shekelfirstlingtithepriest’s possessionanimalhousefieldjubilee
Key Verses
  • Leviticus 27:1: Introduces the overarching command to Moses and sets the framework for the chapter.
  • Leviticus 27:9: Details the sanctification of animal offerings and the priest’s role in valuing them.
  • Leviticus 27:20: Explains the loss of a sanctified field if not redeemed and its significance for property rights.
  • Leviticus 27:30: Declares all tithes as holy to the LORD, underscoring the centrality of the tithe in Israelite worship.
Questions
  • What does the chapter reveal about the relationship between economic transactions and religious devotion in ancient Israel?
  • How does the law of redemption for sanctified items reflect broader themes of covenant faithfulness?
  • In what ways might the valuation rules serve both communal justice and individual piety?
  • Why might the text emphasize the sanctity of firstlings and prohibit their sacrifice?
  • What implications does the prohibition against redeeming certain holy items have for understanding communal versus personal ownership?
Sentiment

neutral
Instructional tone with legalistic detail, neither overtly positive nor negative.