TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Leviticus 27:14–25. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Here is the law concerning real estates dedicated to the service of God by a singular vow.
I.Suppose a man, in his zeal for the honour of God, should sanctify his house to God (Lev 27:14), the house must be valued by the priest, and the money got by the sale of it was to be converted to the use of the sanctuary, which by degrees came to be greatly enriched with dedicated things, Kg1 15:15. But, if the owner be inclined to redeem it himself, he must not have it so cheap as another, but must add a fifth part to the price, for he should have considered before he had vowed it, Lev 27:15. To him that was necessitous God would abate the estimation (Lev 27:8); but to him that was fickle and humoursome, and whose second thoughts inclined more to the world and his secular interest than his first, God would rise in the price. Blessed be God, there is a way of sanctifying our houses to be holy unto the Lord, without either selling them or buying them. If we and our houses serve the Lord, if religion rule in them, and we put away iniquity far from them, and have a church in our house, holiness to the Lord is written upon it, it is his, and he will dwell with us in it.
II.Suppose a man should sanctify some part of his land to the Lord, giving it to pious uses, then a difference must be made between land that came to the donor by descent and that which came by purchase, and accordingly the case altered.
1.If it was the inheritance of his fathers, here called the field of his possession, which pertained to his family from the first division of Canaan, he might not give it all, no, not to the sanctuary; God would not admit such a degree of zeal as ruined a man's family. But he might sanctify or dedicate only some part of it, Lev 27:16. And in that case,
(1.)The land was to be valued (as our countrymen commonly compute land) by so many measures' sowing of barley. So much land as would take a homer, or chomer, of barley, which contained ten ephahs, Eze 45:11 (not, as some have here mistaken it, an omer, which was but a tenth part of an ephah, Exo 16:36), was valued at fifty shekels, a moderate price (Lev 27:16), and that if it were sanctified immediately from the year of jubilee, Lev 27:17. But, if some years after, there was to be a discount accordingly, even of that price, Lev 27:18. And,
(2.)When the value was fixed, the donor might, if he pleased, redeem it for sixty shekels the homer's sowing, which was with the addition of a fifth part: the money then went to the sanctuary, and the land reverted to him that had sanctified it, Lev 27:19. But if he would not redeem it, and the priest sold it to another, then at the year of jubilee, beyond which the sale could not go, the land came to the priests, and was theirs for ever, Lev 27:20, Lev 27:21. Note, What is given to the Lord ought not to be given with a power of revocation; what is devoted to the Lord must be his for ever, by a perpetual covenant.
2.If the land was his own purchase, and came not to him from his ancestors, then not the land itself, but the value of it was to be given to the priests for pious uses, Lev 27:22, Lev 27:24. It was supposed that those who, by the blessing of God, had grown so rich as to become purchasers would think themselves obliged in gratitude to sanctify some part of their purchase, at least (and here they are not limited, but they might, if they pleased, sanctify the whole), to the service of God. For we ought to give as God prospers us, Co1 16:2. Purchasers are in a special manner bound to be charitable. Now, forasmuch as purchased lands were by a former law to return at the year of jubilee to the family from which they were purchased, God would not have that law and the intentions of it defeated by making the lands corban, a gift, Mar 7:11. But it was to be computed how much the land was worth for so many years as were from the vow to the jubilee; for only so long it was his own, and God hates robbery for burnt-offerings. We can never acceptably serve God with that of which we have wronged our neighbour. And so much money he was to give for the present, and keep the land in his own hands till the year of jubilee, when it was to return free of all encumbrances, even that of its being dedicated to him of whom it was bought. The value of the shekel by which all these estimations were to be made is here ascertained (Lev 27:25); it shall be twenty gerahs, and every gerah was sixteen barley-corns. This was fixed before (Exo 30:13); and, whereas there had been some alterations, it is again fixed in the laws of Ezekiel's visionary temple (Eze 45:12), to denote that the gospel should reduce things to their ancient standard.
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Summary
Leviticus 27:18 delineates a precise regulation concerning the dedication of an inherited field to the Lord after a Jubilee year has already passed. It stipulates that if such a field is consecrated, the officiating priest must meticulously calculate its redemption price. This valuation is to be based on the number of years remaining until the subsequent Jubilee, and the full estimated value must be proportionally reduced. This ensures a fair assessment that accurately accounts for the diminished period of its sacred use before its mandated return to the original family at the next Jubilee, reflecting God's commitment to equity in all transactions.
Context
Literary Context
Leviticus 27 serves as the concluding chapter of the book, providing a series of laws concerning vows and dedications made to the Lord. Following the detailed regulations on sacrifices, purity, and holy days, this chapter addresses the proper procedures for consecrating persons, animals, houses, and portions of inherited land to God. Verses 16-25 specifically deal with the dedication and redemption of fields. Leviticus 27:16 establishes the initial valuation of a field dedicated at the Jubilee, while Leviticus 27:17 addresses a field dedicated before the Jubilee. Leviticus 27:18 then provides the specific, contrasting scenario: the valuation of a field dedicated after a Jubilee has passed. This meticulous legal framework, found throughout Leviticus, underscores the seriousness of vows and the divine concern for order, fairness, and the recognition of God's ultimate ownership over all things.
Historical & Cultural Context
The concept of land ownership in ancient Israel was unique, rooted in the understanding that the land ultimately belonged to God, as powerfully declared in Leviticus 25:23. Land was distributed by tribal and family inheritance, and it was generally not to be sold permanently. The Jubilee year, occurring every fifty years as established in Leviticus 25:10, was a divinely ordained socio-economic reset. During this year, all ancestral land returned to its original families, and Hebrew slaves were set free. This system prevented the permanent accumulation of wealth and land by a few, ensuring that every family maintained its inheritance and preventing the formation of a landless poor. Therefore, the value of land was not fixed but was intrinsically tied to the number of years remaining until the next Jubilee, when it would revert to its original owners. This verse reflects the practical application of the Jubilee principle to dedicated property, ensuring that its sacred value was prorated according to its remaining period of use before the great reset.
Key Themes
This specific regulation in Leviticus 27:18 intricately weaves together several profound theological themes central to the Mosaic Law. Foremost among these is the Sovereignty of God over all Creation, particularly land. The Jubilee year itself, and the valuation method tied to it, constantly reminded Israel that their land was a divine gift, not an absolute possession, as seen in Leviticus 25:23. Secondly, the passage highlights God's Commitment to Justice and Equity. The meticulous proration ensures that no one is unjustly enriched or impoverished by the dedication of land, reflecting God's righteous character in economic dealings. Thirdly, it underscores the Seriousness of Vows and Dedications. When something was consecrated to the Lord, it was a solemn act requiring careful and fair administration, emphasizing the integrity required in one's relationship with God, a principle echoed in Deuteronomy 23:21-23. Finally, the entire system of the Jubilee demonstrates God's Redemptive Purpose for Society, preventing permanent social stratification and offering regular opportunities for restoration and renewal within the community.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
From the primitive root H6942, meaning "to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally); appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy(-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify(-ied one, self), [idiom] wholly." When a field was "sanctified" or "consecrated" to the Lord, it was set apart and designated for sacred use or purposes related to the Tabernacle/Temple treasury. This act was a solemn vow, placing the property under divine jurisdiction, often with the intention of its value being used for the service of God.
From the primitive root H2803, meaning "properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e. (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a malicious sense); hence (from the mental effort) to think, regard, value, compute; (make) account (of), conceive, consider, count, cunning (man, work, workman), devise, esteem, find out, forecast, hold, imagine, impute, invent, be like, mean, purpose, reckon(-ing be made), regard, think." In this context, it refers to the priest's duty to calculate, compute, or estimate the monetary value of the dedicated field with precision and fairness, based on the remaining years until the Jubilee.
From the primitive root H1639, meaning "to scrape off; by implication, to shave, remove, lessen, withhold; abate, clip, (di-) minish, do (take) away, keep back, restrain, make small, withdraw." This verb signifies that the full estimated value of the field (as if it were dedicated for a full 50-year cycle) would be proportionally diminished or subtracted. The reduction directly corresponds to the number of years that had already passed since the last Jubilee, reflecting the shorter period of time the field would remain under its dedicated status before reverting to its original family.
Verse Breakdown
"But if he sanctify his field after the jubile"
This opening clause establishes the specific condition under which this particular valuation method applies. It refers to a situation where an Israelite dedicates a portion of their inherited land to the Lord at some point after a Jubilee year has already occurred. This implies that a segment of the 50-year cycle until the next Jubilee has already elapsed, which is crucial for the subsequent calculation.
"then the priest shall reckon unto him the money according to the years that remain, even unto the year of the jubile"
This specifies the method of valuation and the role of the priest. The priest, acting as the divine arbiter and administrator of sacred law, is commanded to calculate the redemption price (or the value for the Temple treasury) not based on a fixed, full price, but proportionally. The calculation is directly tied to the exact number of years left until the next Jubilee year. This means the longer the time until the next Jubilee, the higher the value; conversely, the shorter the time, the lower the value.
"and it shall be abated from thy estimation"
This final phrase clarifies the outcome of the priest's calculation. The initial "estimation" (likely referring to the full valuation for a 50-year period, as implied in earlier verses like Leviticus 27:16) would be reduced. The value is "abated" or subtracted from, meaning the final price is lower than a full-term dedication. This proportional reduction is precisely because the period of dedication is less than a full Jubilee cycle, ensuring fairness and accuracy in the transaction and reflecting the temporary nature of the dedication.
Literary Devices
Leviticus 27:18 demonstrates remarkable Legal Precision and Mathematical Proportionality. The meticulous detail in outlining the exact calculation for land redemption highlights God's profound concern for justice and equity in all transactions, even those involving sacred vows. The repeated reference to the "jubile" (Hebrew, yôwbêl') throughout this chapter, and particularly within this verse, serves as a form of Emphasis, underscoring the absolute centrality of this divinely ordained cycle in determining property value and ownership. This system also embodies a profound Divine Economy, revealing how God's laws govern not only spiritual and moral life but also economic and social structures, ensuring fairness and preventing permanent disenfranchisement. The law's clarity leaves no room for ambiguity, reflecting the perfect order and righteous character of God's design.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Leviticus 27:18, though a specific legal detail, profoundly illustrates several core theological principles. It underscores God's meticulous attention to justice and fairness, even in complex financial transactions related to sacred vows. The proration of value based on the remaining years until the Jubilee year powerfully reinforces the concept of God's ultimate ownership over all land and, by extension, all creation. Humans are merely stewards, and their "ownership" is always temporary and conditional. This law also highlights the seriousness with which God views vows and dedications, requiring precise and equitable fulfillment. Ultimately, it speaks to God's sovereignty over time, property, and the well-being of His people, ensuring that economic systems reflect His righteous character and provide for the flourishing of all.
Reflection and Application
While the specific laws of land dedication and the Jubilee year are part of the Old Covenant and do not directly apply to believers today, the underlying principles revealed in Leviticus 27:18 remain profoundly relevant for our lives. This verse challenges us to critically examine our own understanding of ownership and stewardship. Do we truly recognize that all we possess—our time, talents, resources, and even our very lives—are gifts from God, entrusted to us to be stewarded for His glory and the good of others? The meticulous fairness embedded in God's law regarding property valuation calls us to conduct all our financial and relational dealings with integrity, honesty, and a deep concern for justice, thereby reflecting His character in our marketplace interactions and personal commitments. Furthermore, the temporary nature of earthly possessions, highlighted by the cyclical return of land in the Jubilee, encourages us to hold loosely to material wealth and to invest our lives and resources in eternal treasures that truly last. Our commitments, especially those made to God, are to be taken with utmost seriousness and fulfilled with diligence and integrity, knowing that God values our faithfulness and consistency.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was the purpose of the Jubilee year in ancient Israel?
The Jubilee year, occurring every 50 years, was a divinely instituted socio-economic and spiritual reset for the nation of Israel, as detailed in Leviticus 25. Its primary purposes were multifaceted: to restore ancestral land to its original families, to release Hebrew slaves from bondage, and to cancel all debts. This system prevented the permanent accumulation of wealth and power by a few, ensured that every family maintained its inheritance, and provided a mechanism for economic and social justice. Theologically, it reinforced God's ultimate ownership of the land and His sovereignty over time, reminding the Israelites that they were merely stewards of His creation, fostering a society rooted in equity and divine provision.
Why did the value of the dedicated field "abate" or decrease over time?
The value of a dedicated field "abated" or decreased because its valuation was directly tied to the number of years remaining until the next Jubilee year. According to the laws in Leviticus 27, the full value of a consecrated field was based on its estimated produce over a 50-year period. If a field was dedicated after a Jubilee had passed (as in Leviticus 27:18), it meant that fewer years remained until the next Jubilee, when the land would automatically revert to its original family. Therefore, the period of its sacred use, or the period for which its value could be utilized by the sanctuary, was shorter. To ensure fairness and a just valuation, the priest would proportionally reduce the estimated price based on the diminished number of years until the land's mandated return. This system prevented overcharging for a temporary dedication and reflected the temporary nature of all land ownership in Israel under God's ultimate sovereignty.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Leviticus 27:18, with its intricate details concerning land redemption and the Jubilee, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Jubilee year, a divinely ordained time of liberty, restoration, and the return of land to its rightful owners, serves as a powerful foreshadowing of the spiritual Jubilee inaugurated by Christ. He is the one who proclaims "the acceptable year of the Lord" (Luke 4:18-19, directly referencing Isaiah 61:1-2), ushering in an era of spiritual freedom from sin's bondage and restoration to God. The meticulously calculated and abated redemption price for the dedicated field points to the infinitely greater and perfect redemption price paid by Christ—His own precious blood—which alone can redeem us from the futility of our inherited ways and the slavery of sin (1 Peter 1:18-19). In Him, we are not merely released from debt or temporary bondage but are granted a new, eternal inheritance that will never return to another, an inheritance kept in heaven for us (1 Peter 1:3-5). Christ is the true owner of all things, the ultimate Landowner, and through His redemptive work, humanity and creation are being restored to their proper relationship with God, fulfilling the ultimate purpose of the Jubilee: a complete and lasting return to the divine order and the establishment of God's eternal kingdom.