Leviticus 27:20

KJV

And if he will not redeem the field, or if he have sold the field to another man, it shall not be redeemed any more.

KJV (with Strong's)

And if he will not redeem {H1350} the field {H7704}, or if he have sold {H4376} the field {H7704} to another {H312} man {H376}, it shall not be redeemed {H1350} any more.

Complete Jewish Bible

If the seller does not wish to redeem the field, or if [the treasurer for the cohanim] has already sold the field to someone else, it can no longer be redeemed.

Berean Standard Bible

If, however, he does not redeem the field, or if he has sold it to another man, it may no longer be redeemed.

American Standard Version

And if he will not redeem the field, or if he have sold the field to another man, it shall not be redeemed any more:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 27:20 concludes a specific legal provision regarding the redemption of dedicated fields within the Israelite sacrificial system. It stipulates that if an individual who dedicated a field to the Lord fails to redeem it, or if that field is subsequently sold to a third party, the original owner permanently forfeits any right to reclaim it. This underscores the finality of certain sacred transactions and the enduring consequences of choices made concerning property dedicated to God, particularly in distinction from other land laws related to the Year of Jubilee.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 27 serves as an appendix to the comprehensive legal and ritual instructions given throughout the book, particularly following the detailed laws of holiness in [Leviticus 17-26](/leviticus/17 "Leviticus 17-26 - The Holiness Code"). This chapter addresses the proper procedures for making and fulfilling vows and dedications of persons, animals, houses, and fields to the Lord. Verses [Leviticus 27:16-25](/leviticus/27-16 "Leviticus 27:16-25 - Laws for Dedicating and Redeeming Fields") specifically outline the complex regulations for dedicating a portion of one's inherited land to God and the conditions under which it could be redeemed. The value of such a dedicated field was calculated based on its yield until the next [Year of Jubilee](/leviticus/25-10 "Leviticus 25:10 - The Year of Jubilee"), a significant event where land typically reverted to its original family. Verse 20, however, introduces a critical exception to the normal redemption process, emphasizing an irreversible forfeiture under specific circumstances, thus highlighting the seriousness of vows and the unique status of dedicated land.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, land was intrinsically linked to family identity, inheritance, and divine blessing, as seen in the tribal allotments described in [Numbers 34](/numbers/34 "Numbers 34 - Boundaries of the Land") and [Joshua 13-21](/joshua/13 "Joshua 13-21 - Division of the Land"). The concept of a "kinsman-redeemer" (`go'el`) was vital, ensuring that family land remained within the lineage (e.g., [Ruth 4](/ruth/4 "Ruth 4 - Boaz Redeems Ruth")). The Year of Jubilee ([Leviticus 25](/leviticus/25 "Leviticus 25 - The Year of Jubilee")) was a foundational institution designed to prevent permanent land alienation and maintain social equity. However, dedicated land, especially when sold to a third party after dedication, operated under different rules. The act of dedicating land to the Lord was a solemn vow, often involving a significant financial commitment. The law in [Leviticus 27:20](/leviticus/27-20 "Leviticus 27:20 - Irrevocable Forfeiture of Dedicated Land") reflects the gravity with which such sacred commitments were viewed, ensuring that property once consecrated to God, and then irrevocably transferred, remained outside the original family's claim, even overriding the general principles of Jubilee reversion for non-dedicated land. This reinforced the sanctity of dedicated items and the finality of transactions involving them.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Redeem (Hebrew, _gā’al'_):** This verb signifies the act of buying back, reclaiming, or ransoming something or someone. While often associated with the kinsman-redeemer (as in [Ruth 4:4](/ruth/4-4 "Ruth 4:4 - Boaz's Right to Redeem")), in the context of Leviticus 27, it refers to the specific act of repurchasing dedicated property from the sanctuary, or from the Lord's possession, by paying its assessed value. The repeated use of "redeem" in this verse underscores the opportunity and then the definitive loss of that right.
* **Sold (Hebrew, _mākar'_):** This term denotes the act of selling or transferring ownership of property for a price. In this specific legal context, it refers to the scenario where the dedicated field, not redeemed by its original owner, is then sold by the priesthood (or temple treasury) to another individual. This act of sale to a third party is the critical trigger that makes the field "not...redeemed any more" by the original dedicator.
* **Any more (Hebrew, _‘ôd'_):** This adverb emphasizes the finality and permanence of the stated condition. When combined with the negative particle, "it shall not be redeemed any more" conveys an absolute and irreversible cessation of the right to repurchase. It signifies that the opportunity has passed, and the original owner's claim is definitively extinguished, even bypassing the typical land reversion during the Year of Jubilee.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if he will not redeem the field":** This clause presents the first condition for forfeiture. The "he" refers to the original individual who dedicated the field to the Lord. The law provided a mechanism for this individual to buy back their dedicated land by paying a calculated sum. If this option was available and the dedicator chose not to exercise it, or simply failed to do so, the field remained consecrated and subject to further disposition by the sanctuary.
* **"or if he have sold the field to another man":** This clause introduces the second, and more decisive, condition. It describes a scenario where the dedicated field, having not been redeemed by the original owner, is subsequently sold by the sanctuary to a third party. This transfer of ownership to an "another man" (likely a non-original owner) seals the fate of the field regarding its original dedicator's rights.
* **"it shall not be redeemed any more":** This concluding declaration is the legal consequence of either of the preceding conditions. It signifies that once the dedicated field has either been left unredeemed by the original owner or, more critically, has been sold to a new owner by the sanctuary, the original dedicator permanently loses any right to repurchase or reclaim it. This forfeiture is absolute and overrides the general Jubilee laws that would otherwise return land to its original family.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in [Leviticus 27:20](/leviticus/27-20 "Leviticus 27:20 - Irrevocable Forfeiture") is **Legal Precision**. The verse is characterized by its meticulous and unambiguous language, typical of ancient Near Eastern legal codes. It employs a conditional structure ("if...or if...it shall not...") to clearly delineate the circumstances and their irreversible consequences. This precision ensures there is no ambiguity regarding the finality of the transaction, highlighting the seriousness with which vows and dedications to the Lord were treated. The stark contrast between the opportunity to "redeem" and the declaration "it shall not be redeemed any more" also functions as a form of **Antithesis**, emphasizing the definitive loss of a once-available right. This legal exactitude underscores the divine order and the unyielding nature of commitments made before God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 27:20 profoundly illustrates the seriousness of vows and dedications made to God, emphasizing that certain commitments, once made and then mishandled or irrevocably transferred, result in permanent consequences. It highlights the principle that what is consecrated to the Lord takes on a unique status, sometimes superseding even the general land laws designed to protect family inheritance, such as those related to the Year of Jubilee. This reflects God's demand for integrity and faithfulness in all dealings, especially those involving sacred promises and property. The concept of irreversible forfeiture serves as a stark reminder of the lasting implications of our choices and the importance of understanding the full weight of our commitments before God.

* [Numbers 30:2](/numbers/30-2 "Numbers 30:2 - The Seriousness of Vows")
* [Deuteronomy 23:21-23](/deuteronomy/23-21 "Deuteronomy 23:21-23 - Do Not Delay in Fulfilling Vows")
* [Ecclesiastes 5:4-5](/ecclesiastes/5-4 "Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 - Fulfilling Vows to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific context of dedicated fields and ancient Israelite land laws may seem distant, the underlying principles of Leviticus 27:20 resonate deeply with timeless truths about commitment, consequence, and stewardship. This verse challenges us to consider the gravity of our promises, not only to God but also to others. It reminds us that there are moments of opportunity that, if missed or deliberately forfeited, can lead to irreversible outcomes. Whether it's a spiritual commitment, a relational promise, or a stewardship responsibility, the passage urges us to act with diligence and integrity. It calls us to soberly assess the implications of our decisions, understanding that God, who established such precise laws for His people, values order, faithfulness, and the fulfillment of what is pledged. Ultimately, it encourages a life lived with intentionality, recognizing that our choices carry lasting weight and that true freedom often lies in honoring our word and stewarding our resources wisely.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What commitments have I made to God or others that I need to re-evaluate for their seriousness and fulfillment?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be neglecting an "opportunity to redeem" a situation before it becomes permanently forfeited?**
* **How does the finality described in this verse inform my understanding of the importance of spiritual diligence and faithfulness in my walk with God?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean that all land dedicated to God could never be redeemed?**

Answer: No, not all dedicated land. [Leviticus 27:16-19](/leviticus/27-16 "Leviticus 27:16-19 - Redemption of Dedicated Fields") outlines the standard procedure for redeeming a dedicated field. The original dedicator could redeem it by paying its assessed value plus an additional one-fifth (20%) of that value. Verse 20 specifically addresses two scenarios where this right of redemption is forfeited: either the original dedicator *chooses not to redeem* the field, or, more definitively, the field is *subsequently sold to another man* by the sanctuary. In these specific cases, the right of redemption for the original owner is permanently lost, even overriding the general land reversion principles of the [Year of Jubilee](/leviticus/25-10 "Leviticus 25:10 - The Year of Jubilee") for non-dedicated land.

**How does this law relate to the Year of Jubilee?**

Answer: The law in [Leviticus 27:20](/leviticus/27-20 "Leviticus 27:20 - Irrevocable Forfeiture") presents a unique exception to the general principles of the [Year of Jubilee](/leviticus/25 "Leviticus 25 - The Year of Jubilee"). Normally, in the Jubilee year, all inherited land that had been sold would revert to its original family ownership, ensuring that tribal allotments remained intact. However, for a field *dedicated to the Lord* and then either not redeemed by the original owner or sold by the sanctuary to a third party, the right of redemption for the original owner was permanently forfeited. This meant that such a field would *not* revert to the original family in the Jubilee, highlighting the distinct and elevated status of property that had been consecrated to God and subsequently transferred under these specific conditions. It underscores the finality of certain sacred transactions.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Leviticus 27:20 deals with the irrevocable forfeiture of dedicated land in ancient Israel, its underlying principles find profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Covenant. The Old Testament's elaborate system of vows, dedications, and redemption laws, including the concept of a "kinsman-redeemer" (`go'el`), ultimately pointed to Christ. He is the ultimate [Redeemer](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse"), who paid the ultimate price, not with silver or gold, but with His precious blood, to redeem humanity from the slavery of sin and death ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redeemed by Precious Blood")). Just as the dedicated field, if unredeemed or sold, was permanently lost to its original owner, so too is humanity irrevocably lost to sin unless redeemed by Christ. The finality of the forfeiture in Leviticus foreshadows the definitive nature of salvation in Christ: once we are "bought with a price" ([1 Corinthians 6:20](/1_corinthians/6-20 "1 Corinthians 6:20 - You Were Bought with a Price")), we are permanently His, no longer subject to the old ownership of sin and death. Conversely, for those who reject this divine redemption, the opportunity is ultimately forfeited, leading to an eternal separation, as warned in passages like [Matthew 25:46](/matthew/25-46 "Matthew 25:46 - Eternal Punishment and Eternal Life"). Thus, Leviticus 27:20, in its stern warning about irreversible loss, implicitly magnifies the singular, sufficient, and eternal redemption offered through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, making it clear that there is no other "redeemer" for our ultimate spiritual plight.

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.