Leviticus 27:2

KJV

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When a man shall make a singular vow, the persons [shall be] for the LORD by thy estimation.

KJV (with Strong's)

Speak {H1696} unto the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, and say {H559} unto them, When a man {H376} shall make a singular {H6381} vow {H5088}, the persons {H5315} shall be for the LORD {H3068} by thy estimation {H6187}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Tell the people of Isra'el, 'If someone makes a clearly defined vow to ADONAI to give him an amount equal to the value of a human being,

Berean Standard Bible

“Speak to the Israelites and say to them, ‘When someone makes a special vow to the LORD involving the value of persons,

American Standard Version

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When a man shall accomplish a vow, the persons shall be for Jehovah by thy estimation.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 27:2 introduces the concept of a "singular vow" concerning persons, a voluntary act of dedication to the Lord by an Israelite. This verse initiates a unique legal framework within the Mosaic Law, outlining how individuals could be consecrated to God's service and, crucially, how their dedication could be redeemed through a monetary valuation determined by the priest. It highlights God's acceptance of voluntary devotion and His provision for practical fulfillment, emphasizing the sanctity of human life within the covenant.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 27 serves as the concluding chapter of the book of Leviticus, which meticulously details the laws of holiness, offerings, and priestly duties. While the preceding chapters primarily focus on mandatory rituals and sacrifices (e.g., [burnt offerings](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - Burnt Offerings"), [peace offerings](/leviticus/3 "Leviticus 3 - Peace Offerings"), [sin offerings](/leviticus/4 "Leviticus 4 - Sin Offerings")), Chapter 27 shifts to voluntary acts of devotion: vows and dedications. This placement at the end of the legal codes suggests a capstone, moving from communal obligation to individual, heartfelt commitment. It provides a practical mechanism for Israelites to express profound personal devotion to God beyond their regular obligations, allowing them to consecrate property, animals, or even persons to the Lord, thereby completing the spectrum of their covenant relationship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, vows were common, often involving promises made to deities in exchange for favor or in thanksgiving. However, the Israelite system, as presented in Leviticus, was unique in its ethical framework and the role of the priesthood. The "singular vow" concerning persons did not imply literal human sacrifice, which was strictly forbidden (cf. [Deuteronomy 18:10](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Deuteronomy 18:10 - Abominable Practices")). Instead, it referred to a dedication of an individual, perhaps for temporary service at the tabernacle (like Samuel's mother, Hannah, dedicating him to the Lord in [1 Samuel 1:11](/1_samuel/1-11 "1 Samuel 1:11 - Hannah's Vow")) or a symbolic consecration. Given the impracticality of permanent, widespread personal service, the law provided a mechanism for redemption through monetary payment. This system, detailed in the subsequent verses ([Leviticus 27:3-8](/leviticus/27-3 "Leviticus 27:3-8 - Valuation of Persons")), established fixed values based on age and gender, reflecting societal roles and physical capabilities. This ensured that the vow could be fulfilled even if direct physical service was not feasible, underscoring God's desire for genuine commitment and the immense value He placed on human life, providing a way to "redeem" what was vowed.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Singular Vow (Hebrew, _neder'_):** This term (נֶדֶר) refers to a voluntary, solemn promise or pledge made to God. Unlike obligatory sacrifices or tithes, a _neder_ was an act of supererogation, originating from a worshiper's personal initiative and devotion. It signified a deliberate setting apart of something or someone for sacred purposes, demonstrating a profound level of commitment and gratitude to the Lord. The "singular" aspect emphasizes its unique, often one-time, nature for a specific purpose.
* **Estimation (Hebrew, _'erk'kâ'_):** The word (עֶרְכְּךָ) literally means "your valuation" or "your assessment." It highlights the crucial role of the priest (specifically, the one to whom the vow was brought, acting under divine instruction) in determining the monetary value of the vowed person. This was not an arbitrary human judgment but an application of the fixed scale of values detailed in the subsequent verses (Leviticus 27:3-8). This system ensured fairness and consistency, providing a structured way to redeem a vowed person if direct service was not practical or desired, thereby allowing the vow to be fulfilled through an equivalent payment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them,"**: This is a common introductory formula in Leviticus, indicating that the following instructions are divine commands given through Moses to the entire Israelite community. It underscores the authoritative and communal nature of these laws, even for voluntary acts.
* **"When a man shall make a singular vow,"**: This clause establishes the condition for the subsequent rules. It specifies a voluntary act ("shall make a singular vow") initiated by an individual ("a man," implying any Israelite, male or female, capable of making such a commitment). The "singular vow" differentiates it from regular, obligatory offerings, marking it as a special, often deeply personal, dedication.
* **"the persons [shall be] for the LORD by thy estimation."**: This is the core of the verse. It declares that individuals (or their value) can be dedicated "for the LORD," meaning consecrated to Him or His service. The phrase "by thy estimation" immediately introduces the mechanism for fulfilling such a vow: a monetary valuation determined by the priest. This indicates that while the dedication was to the Lord, its practical fulfillment often involved a financial redemption, rather than literal, lifelong service, highlighting God's practical accommodation for His people.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 27:2 primarily employs **Legal Formula** and **Prescriptive Language**. The opening phrase, "Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them," is a classic legalistic introduction found throughout the Pentateuch, immediately establishing the divine authority and mandatory nature of the subsequent instruction. This **Prescriptive Language** dictates how vows concerning persons are to be handled, leaving no ambiguity about the process. The verse also exhibits a form of **Metonymy**, where "the persons" stands for the value of the persons, as the subsequent verses clarify that it's their monetary equivalent that is consecrated or redeemed. This sets up a system where the *intent* of dedication is paramount, even if the *form* of dedication is financial.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 27:2 speaks to the profound theological principle of voluntary dedication and the sanctity of human life within God's covenant. It reveals a God who not only commands obedience but also welcomes and provides a framework for spontaneous, heartfelt devotion. The system of valuation and redemption underscores that while God desires total commitment, He also provides practical means for fulfilling vows, recognizing the complexities of human life. This passage subtly teaches that everything ultimately belongs to God, and acts of consecration, whether of property or persons, are a recognition of His ultimate ownership and a demonstration of a worshiper's devotion.

* [Numbers 30:2](/numbers/30-2 "Numbers 30:2 - The Law of Vows")
* [Deuteronomy 23:21](/deuteronomy/23-21 "Deuteronomy 23:21 - Do Not Delay to Pay a Vow")
* [Psalm 116:14](/psalm/116-14 "Psalm 116:14 - I Will Pay My Vows to the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific practice of vowing persons is no longer observed in the same manner, Leviticus 27:2 offers timeless principles for contemporary believers regarding our commitment to God. It challenges us to consider the depth of our voluntary devotion, moving beyond mere obligation to sincere, heartfelt dedication. Are we willing to set apart our lives, talents, and resources "for the LORD," not out of compulsion, but out of genuine love and gratitude? The emphasis on "estimation" and redemption reminds us that God values our lives immensely and provides pathways for our devotion to be expressed practically, even when direct service might not be feasible. It prompts us to consider how we "value" our own lives and possessions in relation to God's purposes, encouraging a posture of stewardship where everything we have is seen as belonging to Him, to be used for His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "making a singular vow" mean for me today in my relationship with God?**
* **How can I practically dedicate my "person" (my time, talents, and resources) to the Lord in a way that reflects genuine devotion?**
* **In what areas of my life might I need to re-evaluate my "estimation" of what truly belongs to God?**

### FAQ

**What exactly does it mean for "persons [to be] for the LORD" in this context?**

Answer: In Leviticus 27:2, "persons [shall be] for the LORD" does not imply human sacrifice or permanent servitude in the modern sense. Instead, it refers to a dedication or consecration of an individual (or their value) to God's service or purposes. This could involve temporary service at the tabernacle (as seen with Samuel in [1 Samuel 1:22-28](/1_samuel/1-22 "1 Samuel 1:22-28 - Samuel's Dedication")) or, more commonly, a symbolic dedication that was fulfilled through a monetary payment. The subsequent verses in [Leviticus 27](/leviticus/27 "Leviticus 27 - Laws Concerning Vows") clarify that a fixed monetary value was assigned to individuals based on age and gender, allowing for the "redemption" of the vowed person. This ensured that the vow could be fulfilled without requiring literal, lifelong service, highlighting God's desire for genuine commitment and His provision for practical fulfillment.

**Why was there a monetary "estimation" for persons vowed to the Lord?**

Answer: The monetary "estimation" (or valuation) was a practical and merciful provision within the law. It recognized that it was not always feasible or desirable for individuals to literally serve at the tabernacle or sanctuary for an indefinite period. Instead, the vow could be fulfilled by contributing an equivalent monetary value to the sanctuary treasury. This system, detailed in [Leviticus 27:3-8](/leviticus/27-3 "Leviticus 27:3-8 - Valuation of Persons"), provided a standardized way to quantify the dedication, ensuring fairness and preventing arbitrary valuations. It allowed individuals to express their profound devotion to God even if direct personal service was not possible, emphasizing that the intent of the vow was paramount, and God provided a way for it to be honored.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 27:2, with its emphasis on the dedication and "estimation" of persons, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament law provided a system for human beings to be valued and redeemed by monetary payment, Christ himself is the ultimate "person" dedicated to the Lord, not by human vow, but by divine purpose (cf. [Isaiah 42:1](/isaiah/42-1 "Isaiah 42:1 - The Servant of the Lord")). More profoundly, He is the one who pays the immeasurable "estimation" for humanity. We, who were once enslaved to sin and "vowed" to death, are now redeemed, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, "as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (as declared in [1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redeemed by Precious Blood")). His life, perfectly consecrated to the Father, became the ultimate ransom, allowing us to be set apart "for the Lord" in a new covenant, not through our own vows or estimations, but through His perfect sacrifice. Through Christ, we are not merely redeemed *from* something, but redeemed *for* God, becoming His treasured possession and a people zealous for good works (cf. [Titus 2:14](/titus/2-14 "Titus 2:14 - Redeemed for Good Works")).

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

Numbers 6:2

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate [themselves] to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate [themselves] unto the LORD:

Deuteronomy 23:21

When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.

Deuteronomy 23:23

That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; [even] a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the LORD thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.

1 Samuel 1:11

And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

Judges 11:30

And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands,

Judges 11:31

Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD'S, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.

1 Samuel 1:28

Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.