King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And the priest shall value it, whether it be good or bad: as thou valuest it, [who art] the priest, so shall it be.
Complete Jewish Bible:
and the cohen is to set a value on it in relation to its good and bad points; the value set by you the cohen will stand.
Berean Standard Bible:
The priest shall set its value, whether high or low; as the priest values it, the price will be set.
American Standard Version:
and the priest shall value it, whether it be good or bad: as thou the priest valuest it, so shall it be.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And the priest{H3548} shall value{H6186} it, whether{H996} it be good{H2896} or{H996} bad{H7451}: as thou valuest{H6187} it, who art the priest{H3548}, so shall it be.
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Leviticus 27:12
Leviticus 27:12 is part of the regulations concerning vows and dedications found in Leviticus 27. This chapter outlines the process for dedicating people, animals, or houses to the Lord and the appropriate valuations and redemption prices for these offerings. The verse specifically addresses how a priest is to assess the value of an object or person that has been dedicated to God, whether it is deemed "good" or "bad" in quality.
**Themes:**
1. **Valuation and Redemption:** The verse emphasizes the principle of valuation for items dedicated to the sanctuary. The priest, as God's representative, has the authority to set the value, which reflects the idea that what is dedicated to God should be of worth and that there is a cost associated with rededicating it to common use.
2. **Priestly Authority:** The role of the priest as an evaluator underscores the religious authority structure in Israelite society, where priests were intermediaries between God and the people.
3. **Holiness and Commitment:** The broader context of the chapter deals with the sanctity of vows and the seriousness with which one should approach dedications to God. It reinforces the idea that commitments made to the Lord are binding and require proper compensation if they are to be revoked.
**Historical Context:**
Leviticus is the third book of the Pentateuch, traditionally attributed to Moses, and is primarily concerned with laws and rituals that were to govern the religious and moral life of the Israelites. It was likely written during or after the Babylonian Exile (6th century BCE) when there was a strong emphasis on maintaining the identity and purity of the Israelite community.
The laws in Leviticus 27 reflect an agrarian society where livestock and produce were common forms of wealth. The detailed instructions for valuation would have been practical for a community that needed to manage dedications to the sanctuary in a standardized way. This system also provided a means for the support of the priesthood and the maintenance of the tabernacle (later the Temple), as the priests received a portion of the offerings.
In summary, Leviticus 27:12 operates within the larger context of Israelite religious practice, emphasizing the importance of honoring vows and the role of priests in assessing the value of dedicated items, while also reflecting the historical and economic realities of ancient Israelite society.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3548
There are 653 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כֹּהֵן
Transliteration: kôhên
Pronunciation: ko-hane'
Description: active participle of כָּהַן; literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman); chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer. - Strong's Number: H6186
There are 71 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָרַךְ
Transliteration: ʻârak
Pronunciation: aw-rak'
Description: a primitive root; to set in a row, i.e. arrange, put in order (in a very wide variety of applications); put (set) (the battle, self) in array, compare, direct, equal, esteem, estimate, expert (in war), furnish, handle, join (battle), ordain, (lay, put, reckon up, set) (in) order, prepare, tax, value. - Strong's Number: H996
There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּין
Transliteration: bêyn
Pronunciation: bane
Description: (sometimes in the plural masculine or feminine); properly, the constructive form of an otherwise unused noun from בִּין; a distinction; but used only as a preposition,; between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or; among, asunder, at, between (-twixt...and), [phrase] from (the widest), [idiom] in, out of, whether (it be...or), within. - Strong's Number: H2896
There are 517 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: טוֹב
Transliteration: ṭôwb
Pronunciation: tobe
Description: from טוֹב; good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good or good thing, a good man or woman; the good, goods or good things, good men or women), also as an adverb (well); beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). - Strong's Number: H7451
There are 623 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רַע
Transliteration: raʻ
Pronunciation: rah
Description: from רָעַע; bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral); adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.). - Strong's Number: H6187
There are 29 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֵרֶךְ
Transliteration: ʻêrek
Pronunciation: eh'rek
Description: from עָרַךְ; a pile, equipment, estimate; equal, estimation, (things that are set in) order, price, proportion, [idiom] set at, suit, taxation, [idiom] valuest.