Leviticus 27:17

KJV

If he sanctify his field from the year of jubile, according to thy estimation it shall stand.

KJV (with Strong's)

If he sanctify {H6942} his field {H7704} from the year {H8141} of jubile {H3104}, according to thy estimation {H6187} it shall stand {H6965}.

Complete Jewish Bible

If he consecrates his field during the year of yovel, this valuation will stand.

Berean Standard Bible

If he consecrates his field during the Year of Jubilee, the price will stand according to your valuation.

American Standard Version

If he sanctify his field from the year of jubilee, according to thy estimation it shall stand.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 27:17 articulates a specific regulation concerning the dedication of agricultural land to the Lord, establishing the method for its valuation and potential redemption. This verse specifies that if a field is consecrated *from* the Year of Jubilee, its assessed value for dedication or repurchase is determined by a precise priestly estimation, which takes into account the full remaining years until the next Jubilee, when all land was destined to revert to its ancestral owners. It powerfully underscores the divine ownership of all land in Israel and the meticulous integrity required in fulfilling sacred vows made to God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 27 serves as a concluding appendix to the extensive legal and ritual instructions found throughout the book of Leviticus. While much of the preceding text (chapters 1-26) details mandatory sacrifices, purity laws, and covenant observances, Chapter 27 shifts focus to voluntary vows and dedications made by individuals to the Lord. These dedications could involve persons, animals, houses, or, as in this verse, fields. Verses 16-25 specifically address the complex rules for dedicating and redeeming fields, with verse 17 clarifying the valuation method when the dedication occurs at the beginning of a Jubilee cycle. This section is deeply interwoven with the broader land laws and the concept of the [Year of Jubilee](/leviticus/25 "Leviticus 25 - The Jubilee and Land Laws") introduced in [Leviticus 25](/leviticus/25 "Leviticus 25 - The Jubilee and Land Laws"), particularly the principle that all land ultimately belongs to God and reverts to its original tribal inheritance every fifty years ([Leviticus 25:10](/leviticus/25-10 "Leviticus 25:10 - Proclamation of Liberty in the Jubilee")). The meticulousness of these regulations ensures both fairness in transactions and the sanctity of commitments made to the divine.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel was fundamentally an agrarian society, where land was not merely an economic asset but a central component of family identity, tribal inheritance, and covenantal blessing. The land tenure system, particularly the [Jubilee laws](/leviticus/25 "Leviticus 25 - The Jubilee and Land Laws"), set Israel apart from other ancient Near Eastern cultures, where land could be permanently bought and sold. In Israel, the land was considered God's ultimate possession ([Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - God's Ownership of the Land")), and human ownership was temporary, a stewardship. The Jubilee, occurring every 50 years, mandated the return of all land to its original family allotments, preventing the permanent accumulation of wealth and power, fostering social equity, and maintaining the tribal structure. When an Israelite "sanctified" a field, it was a profound act of devotion, dedicating a vital asset to the Lord. The law, however, provided a mechanism for redemption, allowing the original owner or a kinsman to buy it back. The valuation, as described in [Leviticus 27:16-24](/leviticus/27-16-24 "Leviticus 27:16-24 - Valuation and Redemption of Dedicated Fields"), was not based on fluctuating market prices but on a fixed rate per homer of barley seed, proportional to the number of harvests remaining until the next Jubilee. The priest's role in this "estimation" was critical, acting as God's representative to ensure adherence to divine law and to arbitrate justly.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, situated within the broader context of Leviticus, contributes to several overarching themes. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Ownership**, particularly over the land, emphasizing that all earthly possessions ultimately belong to God and are held by humans in stewardship. Secondly, it highlights the **Sanctity of Vows and Commitments** made to the Lord, demonstrating that such dedications are to be treated with utmost seriousness and precision, requiring careful valuation and adherence to divine standards. Thirdly, the verse, through its reliance on the Jubilee principle, underscores God's concern for **Justice, Equity, and Restoration** within the covenant community, ensuring that economic disparities do not become permanent and that ancestral inheritances are preserved. Finally, it points to the **Role of the Priesthood** as divine arbiters, responsible for administering God's laws and ensuring their righteous application in the lives of the people, from matters of sacrifice to the valuation of dedicated property.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sanctify (Hebrew, _qâdash'_):** This primitive root means "to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)." In the context of Leviticus 27:17, it signifies the act of "setting apart," "consecrating," or "making holy" a field to the Lord. Once sanctified, the field was considered sacred and subject to divine regulations, no longer for common use. This act was a voluntary expression of devotion and commitment, placing the dedicated item under God's special claim.
* **Jubile (Hebrew, _yôwbêl'_):** Derived from a word related to the blast of a horn, this term refers to the "Year of Jubilee," a pivotal institution in Israelite law observed every fifty years. It was a year of profound liberty, marked by the restoration of land to its original tribal owners, the release of Hebrew slaves, and the remission of debts. The mention of "jubile" here is paramount because it serves as the fixed temporal anchor from which the value of a dedicated field is calculated, underscoring the temporary nature of human land possession and God's ultimate, cyclical reassertion of ownership.
* **Estimation (Hebrew, _ʻêrek'_):** This noun, meaning "a pile, equipment, estimate," refers to a "valuation," "assessment," or "fixed price." In the context of Leviticus 27, it denotes the precise, divinely ordained method by which the priest would calculate the redemption value of a dedicated item, specifically a field. This was not a subjective appraisal but a formulaic calculation based on the number of years remaining until the next Jubilee, at a rate of fifty shekels of silver per homer of barley seed for a full fifty-year period (cf. [Leviticus 27:16](/leviticus/27-16 "Leviticus 27:16 - Valuation of a Field")). The phrase "according to thy estimation it shall stand" emphasizes the authoritative and binding nature of this priestly assessment.
* **Stand (Hebrew, _qûwm'_):** A primitive root meaning "to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)," in this context, _qûwm_ signifies that the estimation "shall be established" or "shall be confirmed." It conveys the idea of permanence and legal force. Once the priestly assessment is made, it is fixed and unchangeable, serving as the definitive value for the dedicated field, whether for its dedication itself or for its subsequent redemption. This highlights the immutability and authority of God's prescribed legal framework.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If he sanctify his field from the year of jubile":** This clause sets the precise condition for the subsequent valuation. It describes a scenario where an individual voluntarily "sanctifies" or dedicates their agricultural field to the Lord. The critical temporal marker "from the year of jubile" indicates that this act of dedication occurs at the very beginning of a Jubilee cycle, implying a full 50-year period stretching ahead until the next Jubilee. This starting point is essential because it means the field's value will be assessed based on the maximum possible duration of its use before its mandated reversion to its ancestral owners. The act of "sanctifying" underscores the intentional and sacred nature of the commitment.
* **"according to thy estimation it shall stand":** This phrase declares the authoritative and binding nature of the valuation process. "Thy estimation" refers to the assessment made by the priest, who functioned as God's designated representative in matters of sacred law and valuation. This estimation was not arbitrary but followed a precise, divinely established formula (as outlined in [Leviticus 27:16](/leviticus/27-16 "Leviticus 27:16 - Valuation of a Field")), taking into account the number of years remaining until the next Jubilee. The declaration "it shall stand" emphasizes the immutability, legal force, and finality of this priestly assessment. Once determined, this value was the fixed price for the dedicated field, ensuring fairness, preventing disputes, and upholding the sanctity of the dedication.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 27:17, like much of the Mosaic Law, prominently employs **Legal Language** and a **Prescriptive Tone**. The verse begins with a clear **Conditional Clause** ("If he sanctify..."), which is characteristic of ancient Near Eastern legal codes, establishing the specific circumstances under which the subsequent regulation applies. This structure provides clarity and precision in the application of the law. The phrase "according to thy estimation it shall stand" highlights the **Divine Authority** vested in the priest, who acts as the arbiter and enforcer of God's laws. The entire system of the Jubilee, which underpins the valuation method in this verse, functions as a profound **Symbolism** of divine ownership, ultimate redemption, and the cyclical restoration of order. The Jubilee year itself serves as a powerful **Metaphor** for God's ultimate sovereignty over all creation, emphasizing that human possession is temporary stewardship, and pointing forward to a future, ultimate restoration of all things.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 27:17, with its intricate regulations for dedicated fields, profoundly illustrates God's meticulous concern for justice, order, and the sanctity of vows within His covenant community. It underscores the foundational truth that all things, especially the land, ultimately belong to God, and human ownership is a stewardship, temporary and subject to divine prerogative. The Jubilee system, from which this verse derives its valuation principle, served as a tangible reminder of God's sovereignty and His provision for social and economic equity, preventing permanent destitution and ensuring that the blessings of the land were broadly distributed. This principle extends to our modern understanding of commitment and resources: what we dedicate to God, whether time, talent, or treasure, is to be treated with utmost seriousness and integrity, reflecting His ownership and our faithful stewardship. Our vows are not mere suggestions but sacred promises that God takes seriously, and He expects us to do the same.

* [Numbers 30:2](/numbers/30-2 "Numbers 30:2 - Fulfilling Vows to the Lord")
* [Ecclesiastes 5:4-5](/ecclesiastes/5-4-5 "Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 - Do Not Delay in Fulfilling Vows")
* [Leviticus 25:23](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - The Land Belongs to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 27:17, though rooted in the specific land laws of ancient Israel, offers timeless principles for contemporary believers concerning our relationship with God and our possessions. It challenges us to consider the profound seriousness with which we approach our commitments, particularly those made to God. Just as the Israelites were meticulous in valuing dedicated fields according to divine standards, we are called to bring integrity, intentionality, and a spirit of reverence to our vows, whether they involve our time, finances, spiritual disciplines, or service. The underlying principle of divine ownership, powerfully highlighted by the Jubilee, reminds us that everything we possess—our abilities, resources, relationships, and even our very lives—is ultimately a gift from God, entrusted to us for His purposes. This perspective transforms our understanding of "ownership" into "stewardship," compelling us to manage all that God has given us in a way that honors Him, advances His kingdom, and reflects His character. We are to live with an awareness that our earthly possessions are temporary, and our ultimate inheritance lies in God's eternal kingdom, fostering a spirit of generosity, detachment from materialism, and a deep reliance on His provision.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How seriously do I approach my commitments and vows, both to God and to others, and what steps can I take to ensure greater integrity?**
* **In what specific areas of my life—finances, time, talents, relationships—do I need to re-evaluate my understanding of ownership versus stewardship?**
* **How does the concept of God's ultimate ownership of all things influence my financial decisions, my generosity, and my willingness to release control?**
* **What "field" (talent, resource, opportunity, area of my life) might God be calling me to "sanctify" or dedicate to Him more fully and intentionally today?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "from the year of jubile" in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "from the year of jubile" is profoundly significant because it establishes the precise starting point for the valuation of a dedicated field. In ancient Israel, the [Year of Jubilee](/leviticus/25-10 "Leviticus 25:10 - Proclamation of Liberty in the Jubilee"), occurring every 50 years, was a time when all land reverted to its original tribal families, symbolizing God's ultimate ownership and the temporary nature of human possession. Therefore, if a field was dedicated to the Lord at the beginning of a Jubilee cycle, its value for redemption or dedication purposes was calculated based on the full 50-year period until the next Jubilee. This ensured a standardized, fair valuation that accounted for the temporary nature of land possession and God's ultimate claim over the land, as detailed in [Leviticus 25](/leviticus/25 "Leviticus 25 - The Jubilee and Land Laws"). It underscored that even dedicated property was subject to the overarching divine economy.

**Who made the "estimation" mentioned in the verse, and why was it binding?**

Answer: The "estimation" was made by the priest. In the Mosaic Law, priests served as crucial mediators between God and the people, responsible for upholding, interpreting, and applying God's laws, especially concerning matters of holiness, vows, and sacred dedications. The valuation was not arbitrary or subjective but followed a specific, divinely ordained formula based on the number of harvest years remaining until the next Jubilee, as outlined in [Leviticus 27:16](/leviticus/27-16 "Leviticus 27:16 - Valuation of a Field"). It was binding ("it shall stand") because it represented God's own assessment, ensuring justice, preventing fraud, and upholding the sanctity of anything dedicated to Him. The priest's role was to apply God's law faithfully and accurately, making the assessment an authoritative declaration from God Himself.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 27:17, with its focus on the dedication and valuation of a field in relation to the Jubilee, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The Jubilee year, a divinely ordained time of liberty, release, and restoration of inheritance, serves as a powerful foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate redemptive mission. Jesus Himself proclaimed His ministry by quoting [Isaiah 61:1-2](/isaiah/61-1-2 "Isaiah 61:1-2 - The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me"), declaring, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord" ([Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18-19 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus Proclaims His Mission")). This "acceptable year of the Lord" is the spiritual Jubilee, ushered in by Christ, offering true freedom from the bondage of sin, spiritual debt, and the curse of the law, thereby restoring humanity to its lost inheritance in God. While the Old Testament field was temporarily sanctified and valued until the next earthly Jubilee, Christ's singular sacrifice on the cross represents the ultimate and eternal sanctification, dedicating believers permanently to God ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Sanctified Through the Offering of Jesus Christ")). He is the true "estimation" of our worth, having paid the ultimate and unrepeatable price for our redemption, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with His precious, incorruptible blood ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18-19 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redeemed by the Precious Blood of Christ")). Through Him, we are not merely returned to an earthly inheritance, but granted an incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading inheritance reserved in heaven ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Inheritance Imperishable")). The temporary valuations and redemptions of the Old Covenant find their eternal and perfect "standing" in the finished work of Christ, who is our ultimate Jubilee, bringing everlasting liberty and restoration.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.