Leviticus 27:19

KJV

And if he that sanctified the field will in any wise redeem it, then he shall add the fifth [part] of the money of thy estimation unto it, and it shall be assured to him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And if he that sanctified {H6942} the field {H7704} will in any wise {H1350} redeem {H1350} it, then he shall add {H3254} the fifth {H2549} part of the money {H3701} of thy estimation {H6187} unto it, and it shall be assured {H6965} to him.

Complete Jewish Bible

If the one consecrating the field wishes to redeem it, he must add one-fifth to your valuation, and the field will be set aside to revert to him.

Berean Standard Bible

And if the one who consecrated the field decides to redeem it, he must add a fifth to the assessed value, and it shall belong to him.

American Standard Version

And if he that sanctified the field will indeed redeem it, then he shall add the fifth part of the money of thy estimation unto it, and it shall be assured to him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 27:19 outlines a specific legal provision within ancient Israel concerning a field that had been consecrated to the Lord through a vow. This verse details the precise procedure and cost involved if the original dedicator wished to reclaim, or redeem, that field. It mandates that in addition to the field's assessed value, a 20% surcharge must be paid, ensuring the seriousness of commitments made to God and affirming the sanctity of what was dedicated, even when reclaimed.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 27 serves as the concluding chapter of the Book of Leviticus, shifting from the elaborate sacrificial system and purity laws to regulations concerning vows, dedications, and valuations of persons, animals, houses, and fields consecrated to God. This chapter underscores the practical implications of holiness in daily life, demonstrating how personal commitments to the Lord were to be managed with integrity and reverence. Verses 16-18 specifically detail the initial valuation of fields dedicated to the Lord, based on the amount of seed required for planting and its relation to the [Year of Jubilee](/leviticus/25-8 "Leviticus 25:8 - The Year of Jubilee"). Our verse, Leviticus 27:19, then provides the mechanism for redeeming such a field, followed by further regulations for fields that are not redeemed or are sold to another (Leviticus 27:20-25). The entire chapter reinforces the principle that what is vowed to God becomes sacred and is not to be treated lightly.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Israelite society operated under a unique land tenure system, fundamentally rooted in the understanding that [the land ultimately belongs to God](/leviticus/25-23 "Leviticus 25:23 - God's Ownership of the Land"), and its allocation to tribes and families was a stewardship. Vows and dedications were common religious practices, signifying a deep commitment or gratitude to God. However, the law recognized that circumstances could change, necessitating a provision for redemption. The concept of adding a "fifth part" (or 20%) was not unique to this passage; it appears in other Levitical laws, such as restitution for [trespass offerings](/leviticus/5-16 "Leviticus 5:16 - Restitution for Trespass Offerings") or the redemption price for a [firstborn animal](/numbers/18-16 "Numbers 18:16 - Redemption of the Firstborn"). This surcharge served as a penalty or an additional contribution, emphasizing the cost associated with reversing a sacred dedication and ensuring that such actions were not taken flippantly. It reinforced the sanctity of the initial vow and God's sovereign claim over all things.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sanctified (Hebrew, _qadash_):** This verb means "to set apart," "consecrate," or "make holy." When a field was "sanctified" to the Lord, it was formally declared devoted to God, removed from common use, and designated for sacred purposes or as a gift to the sanctuary. This act transformed its status, making it sacred property.
* **Redeem (Hebrew, _ga'al_):** This term signifies "to buy back," "reclaim," or "act as a kinsman-redeemer." In this legal context, it refers to the specific act of reacquiring property that had been dedicated. It implies a restoration to its former status, but crucially, under specific, often costly, conditions that acknowledge its prior sacred dedication.
* **Estimation (Hebrew, _erek_):** This noun refers to a "valuation" or "assessment." In Leviticus 27, the "estimation" was the monetary value assigned to the dedicated item (person, animal, house, or field) by the priest, according to the specific guidelines provided in the chapter. This established the base price for redemption.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if he that sanctified the field":** This refers to the original individual who made a vow and dedicated their field to the Lord. The act of sanctifying was a voluntary and serious commitment, placing the field under divine ownership or use.
* **"will in any wise redeem it":** This clause indicates that the original dedicator has the option to buy back the field they consecrated. It highlights God's provision for flexibility and mercy, allowing for changed circumstances, but not without consequence.
* **"then he shall add the fifth [part] of the money of thy estimation unto it":** This is the core stipulation for redemption. The original dedicator must pay the field's assessed value ("thy estimation") plus an additional 20% (the "fifth part"). This surcharge served multiple purposes: it discouraged rash vows, acted as a penalty for reversing a sacred commitment, and ensured that the act of reclaiming did not diminish the holiness of what was once set apart for God.
* **"and it shall be assured to him":** Upon the full payment of the estimated value plus the 20% surcharge, the field would be legally and irrevocably returned to the original owner. This phrase guarantees the completion of the transaction and the restoration of ownership.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 27:19 primarily employs **Legal Language**, presenting a clear, prescriptive statute governing the redemption of consecrated property. The precise detailing of the "fifth part" and the "estimation" demonstrates the meticulous nature of the Mosaic Law in establishing equitable and just procedures. There is also an element of **Repetition** or **Consistency** in the principle of adding a 20% surcharge, which is found in other restitution laws within the Pentateuch (e.g., for trespass offerings). This consistency reinforces the seriousness with which God viewed commitments and the importance of full restitution. Furthermore, the entire process of dedication and redemption carries **Symbolism**, representing the sacredness of vows, the cost of reclaiming what has been devoted to God, and the divine ownership that undergirds all human possessions and commitments.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 27:19 profoundly illustrates the gravity of making vows and commitments to God, emphasizing that once something is consecrated, it acquires a sacred status that cannot be lightly reversed. The requirement of a 20% surcharge for redemption underscores the principle that there is a cost associated with reclaiming what was once dedicated to the Lord, serving as a deterrent against rash promises and a recognition of the sanctity of the initial act. This law also subtly points to God's ultimate ownership of all things, even as He provides a mechanism for human stewardship and reacquisition, always with a view to honoring His holiness. It highlights a divine balance of justice and mercy, where provision for restoration exists, but integrity in commitment is upheld.

* [Deuteronomy 23:21](/deuteronomy/23-21 "Deuteronomy 23:21 - Do Not Delay in Fulfilling Vows")
* [Ecclesiastes 5:4-5](/ecclesiastes/5-4 "Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 - Fulfilling Vows to God")
* [Malachi 3:8](/malachi/3-8 "Malachi 3:8 - Robbing God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific legal framework of Leviticus 27:19 does not directly apply to Christians today, the underlying spiritual principles offer profound insights for our contemporary walk with God. This verse serves as a timeless reminder of the sanctity and seriousness of our commitments to the Lord, whether they are explicit vows (like marriage, baptism, or ordination) or implicit dedications of our time, talents, and resources. If we, like the Israelite who "sanctified the field," dedicate aspects of our lives to God—our careers, our families, our finances, our very selves—and then attempt to "redeem" or reclaim them for purely selfish purposes, there can be a spiritual "surcharge." This might manifest as a loss of spiritual blessing, a diminished sense of purpose, or a need for deeper repentance and costly re-dedication. The law's provision for redemption, even with a cost, also highlights God's grace and willingness to allow for restoration, yet it always upholds the integrity of our initial dedication and His rightful claim.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How seriously do I consider my commitments and vows made to God, whether explicit or implicit?**
* **Are there areas of my life that I once dedicated to God but have since "reclaimed" for my own purposes? What might be the spiritual "cost" of such actions?**
* **How does the principle of "adding a fifth part" inform my understanding of repentance, restitution, and the seriousness of restoring a broken commitment to God?**

### FAQ
**What does "sanctified the field" mean in this context?**

Answer: "Sanctified the field" means that the owner voluntarily set it apart or consecrated it to the Lord through a vow. This act designated the field as holy and devoted to God, typically for use by the sanctuary or priests, thereby changing its legal and spiritual status from common property to sacred property.

**Why was a "fifth part" (20%) added to the estimation for redemption?**

Answer: The addition of a "fifth part" (20%) served multiple purposes. Primarily, it emphasized the seriousness of the original vow and discouraged rash promises. It acted as a form of restitution or a penalty for reversing a sacred dedication, acknowledging the cost of reclaiming something that had been formally given to God. This principle of a 20% surcharge is consistent with other laws in Leviticus and Numbers concerning restitution for [trespass offerings](/leviticus/5-16 "Leviticus 5:16 - Restitution for Trespass Offerings") or the redemption of a [firstborn](/numbers/18-16 "Numbers 18:16 - Redemption of the Firstborn"), reinforcing the idea that sacred obligations and their reversal come with a distinct cost.

**Does this law apply to Christians today?**

Answer: While the specific details of Leviticus 27:19 regarding land redemption do not apply literally to Christians today under the New Covenant, the underlying theological and ethical principles remain highly relevant. These include the seriousness with which God views our vows and commitments (e.g., [Ecclesiastes 5:4-5](/ecclesiastes/5-4 "Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 - Fulfilling Vows to God")), the concept of God's ultimate ownership over all things, and the spiritual "cost" involved when we attempt to reclaim or withdraw what we have dedicated to Him. It encourages integrity, faithfulness, and a deep respect for our spiritual commitments.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 27:19, with its emphasis on the cost of redemption for a consecrated field, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and perfect redemption accomplished by Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, the "sanctified" field, once set apart for God, required a costly payment to be "redeemed" by its original owner. This human act of redemption, burdened by a surcharge, highlights the inability of humanity to perfectly fulfill its vows or reclaim what was lost without significant personal cost. However, in Christ, we find a radical reversal and perfect fulfillment. Humanity, originally "sanctified" as God's image-bearers and placed in His good creation, fell into sin, becoming alienated and unable to redeem itself. It was not the original owner (humanity) who paid the "surcharge" to reclaim what was lost, but God Himself, through His Son. Jesus Christ is our ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer, who did not merely add a "fifth part" but paid the full and infinite price for our redemption with His own precious blood ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redemption Through Christ's Blood")). He "redeemed us from the curse of the law" ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Our Redeemer")), taking upon Himself the full penalty of sin. Unlike the Levitical law where the payment assures the field to the human owner, Christ's singular sacrifice assures us to God forever ([Hebrews 10:14](/hebrews/10-14 "Hebrews 10:14 - Perfected by Christ's Sacrifice")), making us His own possession, bought with a price ([1 Corinthians 6:20](/1_corinthians/6-20 "1 Corinthians 6:20 - Bought with a Price")). The shadow of a costly, human-initiated redemption in Leviticus points to the glorious reality of God's free, perfect, and divine redemption in Jesus, where the "surcharge" was paid by the Redeemer Himself, for our eternal benefit.

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.

Cross-References

Leviticus 27:13

But if he will at all redeem it, then he shall add a fifth [part] thereof unto thy estimation.