(The Lord speaking is red text)
And if a man will at all redeem [ought] of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth [part] thereof.
If someone wants to redeem any of his tenth, he must add to it one-fifth.
If a man wishes to redeem part of his tithe, he must add a fifth to its value.
And if a man will redeem aught of his tithe, he shall add unto it the fifth part thereof.
And if a man{H376} will at all{H1350} redeem{H1350} ought of his tithes{H4643}, he shall add{H3254} thereto the fifth{H2549} part thereof.
1. **Themes**:
- **Redemption**: The verse discusses the option for an individual to redeem or buy back items that have been designated as tithes, which are a tenth of one's produce or income set aside for sacred purposes.
- **Sanctity of Vows**: It reflects the broader theme in Leviticus concerning the sanctity of vows and offerings made to God. Once something is dedicated to the Lord, it is considered holy, and there are specific instructions for handling such items.
- **Valuation and Offerings**: The requirement to add a fifth part to the value of the tithe when redeeming it underscores the importance of making a proper and generous offering beyond the initial commitment.
2. **Historical Context**:
- **Leviticus**: This book is part of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, traditionally attributed to Moses. It contains laws and regulations given to the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt, focusing on how to live in a way that is pleasing to God.
- **Tithes**: In ancient Israel, tithes were a mandatory contribution of 10% of one's crops or livestock to the Levites and priests, who did not inherit tribal land and therefore depended on these tithes for their livelihood.
- **Covenantal Economics**: The economic system of ancient Israel was based on a covenantal relationship with God. The laws in Leviticus, including those on tithing and redemption, were designed to reinforce the Israelites' commitment to God and to maintain social and economic order within the community.
- **Agrarian Society**: The context of Leviticus is an agrarian society, where the economy was based on agriculture. Thus, the laws often revolve around agricultural produce, festivals, and the support of the religious class.
In summary, Leviticus 27:31 reflects the themes of redemption and the sanctity of religious offerings within the context of the covenantal and agrarian society of ancient Israel, providing regulations for those who wish to redeem their tithes while still honoring their commitment to God.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)