Leviticus 27:25

KJV

And all thy estimations shall be according to the shekel of the sanctuary: twenty gerahs shall be the shekel.

KJV (with Strong's)

And all thy estimations {H6187} shall be according to the shekel {H8255} of the sanctuary {H6944}: twenty {H6242} gerahs {H1626} shall be the shekel {H8255}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'All your valuations are to be according to the sanctuary shekel [two-fifths of an ounce], twenty gerahs to the shekel.

Berean Standard Bible

Every valuation will be according to the sanctuary shekel, twenty gerahs to the shekel.

American Standard Version

And all thy estimations shall be according to the shekel of the sanctuary: twenty gerahs shall be the shekel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 27:25 concludes the book's detailed regulations by establishing a precise and unchangeable standard for all valuations related to vows and dedications made to the Lord. It mandates that all estimations for redeeming or assessing consecrated persons, animals, houses, or fields must be measured according to the "shekel of the sanctuary," explicitly defining this shekel as comprising twenty gerahs. This divine decree ensured absolute integrity, consistency, and fairness in all transactions involving sacred offerings, underscoring God's demand for accuracy and purity in His people's dealings with Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 27 serves as a concluding appendix to the extensive legal and ritual codes presented throughout the book of Leviticus. While the preceding chapters meticulously detail laws concerning sacrifices, purity, festivals, and the priesthood, chapter 27 shifts focus to the redemption and valuation of things or persons dedicated to the Lord through vows. This chapter addresses various scenarios, including the dedication of persons ([Leviticus 27:2-8](/leviticus/27-2 "Leviticus 27:2-8 - Valuation of Persons")), animals ([Leviticus 27:9-13](/leviticus/27-9 "Leviticus 27:9-13 - Valuation of Animals")), houses ([Leviticus 27:14-15](/leviticus/27-14 "Leviticus 27:14-15 - Valuation of Houses")), and fields ([Leviticus 27:16-24](/leviticus/27-16 "Leviticus 27:16-24 - Valuation of Fields")). The purpose of these valuations was to determine the appropriate monetary equivalent for redeeming an item or person that had been consecrated to God but was subsequently to be released from its sacred status or bought back by the original owner. Verse 25, therefore, functions as a foundational principle, providing the universal standard by which all these diverse valuations are to be uniformly calculated, ensuring consistency and preventing arbitrary or fraudulent assessments.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, weights and measures were notoriously inconsistent and often subject to manipulation, leading to widespread injustice in commercial transactions. Different regions, cities, and even merchants might use varying standards for the same unit of weight, making fair trade challenging. Against this backdrop, the command for a "shekel of the sanctuary" was revolutionary. It established a single, authoritative, and immutable standard maintained within the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) itself. This "sanctuary shekel" served as the definitive benchmark for all sacred offerings and redemptions, contrasting sharply with the fluctuating "common" or "king's" shekels used in everyday commerce. The explicit definition of the shekel as "twenty gerahs" further emphasized this demand for absolute precision. This divine insistence on accurate weights and measures was not unique to sacred contexts but was a broader principle of justice in Israelite society, as seen in admonitions against dishonest scales throughout the Law and Prophets (e.g., [Deuteronomy 25:13-16](/deuteronomy/25-13 "Deuteronomy 25:13-16 - Just Weights and Measures") and [Proverbs 11:1](/proverbs/11-1 "Proverbs 11:1 - A False Balance is an Abomination")). The integrity of the sanctuary's weights underscored God's own unchanging character and His demand for righteousness in all dealings, especially those pertaining to Him.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Estimations (Hebrew, _‘arak’_):** This verb, often translated as "estimate," "value," or "appraise," refers to the act of setting a monetary worth on something or someone. In the context of Leviticus 27, it specifically pertains to determining the redemption price for items or persons dedicated to the Lord through vows. The term implies a careful, considered judgment, which the verse then stipulates must be governed by a fixed, divine standard, removing any subjective or arbitrary human discretion from the process.
* **Shekel of the Sanctuary (Hebrew, _sheqel ha-qodesh_):** This phrase denotes a specific, authoritative, and unchanging standard of weight maintained within the sacred precincts of the Tabernacle or Temple. Unlike common market shekels, which could vary or be manipulated, the "sanctuary shekel" was the definitive, divinely ordained measure for all sacred transactions. Its fixed value underscored God's demand for absolute integrity, consistency, and purity in all matters related to worship and commitments made to Him.
* **Gerahs (Hebrew, _gerah_):** A gerah was the smallest unit of weight in the Israelite system, literally meaning "grain" or "bean." The precise definition of "twenty gerahs shall be the shekel" highlights the meticulousness required in these sacred valuations. This small denomination ensured that even the most minute calculations were accurate and conformed to the divine standard, leaving no room for approximation or deceit.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And all thy estimations shall be according to the shekel of the sanctuary:"** This clause establishes the overarching principle for all valuations discussed in Leviticus 27. It mandates that any assessment of value for dedicated persons, animals, or property must strictly adhere to the specific, unchangeable standard of weight known as the "shekel of the sanctuary." This ensures uniformity, fairness, and divine authorization for all such financial transactions within the sacred economy of Israel.
* **"twenty gerahs shall be the shekel."** This phrase provides the explicit, precise definition of the "shekel of the sanctuary." By specifying that one shekel is equivalent to twenty gerahs, the verse eliminates any ambiguity regarding the standard. This mathematical precision reinforces the divine demand for exactness and integrity in all dealings related to God's holy purposes, preventing any potential for fraud or inconsistency in the redemption values.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 27:25 prominently employs **Legal Stipulation** and **Precision**. The verse functions as a direct, unambiguous legal command, laying down a non-negotiable rule for all monetary valuations within the sacred economy. This reflects the highly structured and prescriptive nature of the Mosaic Law, where divine order and justice are paramount. The device of **Precision** is evident in the exact numerical definition of the shekel ("twenty gerahs"), which leaves no room for interpretation or deviation. This meticulous detail underscores God's demand for absolute accuracy and integrity in all matters pertaining to His holiness. Furthermore, the "shekel of the sanctuary" itself serves as a **Symbolism** of divine authority and unchanging truth, contrasting with the fluctuating standards of the secular world and emphasizing that God's ways are fixed and righteous.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 27:25 profoundly illustrates God's character as one who demands integrity, precision, and justice in all human dealings, especially those involving sacred commitments. The "shekel of the sanctuary" symbolizes God's unchanging nature and His absolute standard of righteousness, against which all human actions and offerings are measured. This principle extends beyond monetary transactions to encompass the sincerity and accuracy of our hearts in worship and commitment. God desires not merely outward acts but an inward alignment with His perfect, immutable standards, ensuring that our devotion is genuine and our promises are upheld with unwavering integrity.

* [Exodus 30:13](/exodus/30-13 "Exodus 30:13 - The Half-Shekel Tax and the Shekel of the Sanctuary")
* [Proverbs 16:11](/proverbs/16-11 "Proverbs 16:11 - Just Weights and Balances are the Lord's")
* [Ezekiel 45:12](/ezekiel/45-12 "Ezekiel 45:12 - Just Measures in the New Temple")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While we no longer use physical shekels or gerahs for temple offerings, the enduring principle of Leviticus 27:25 remains profoundly relevant for believers today. This verse calls us to reflect on the "standard" by which we conduct our lives, particularly our spiritual commitments and offerings to God. Are our "estimations"—our time, talents, resources, and worship—measured by a fluctuating, self-serving standard, or by the unchanging, holy standard of God's Word and character? It challenges us to live with absolute integrity, ensuring that our promises to God are kept with precision, our worship is genuine and uncompromised, and our service is offered with the highest possible quality, not merely what is convenient or leftover. This divine demand for accuracy in ancient transactions serves as a powerful reminder that God values not just the outward act, but the sincerity, consistency, and truthfulness of the heart behind every offering and commitment we make to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to apply a "common market shekel" standard instead of God's "sanctuary shekel" standard?**
* **How does the precision of "twenty gerahs shall be the shekel" challenge me to be more meticulous and sincere in my promises and commitments to God?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure that my worship, service, and giving are truly measured by God's unchanging standard of holiness and integrity?**

### FAQ
**Why was a "shekel of the sanctuary" necessary if there were already shekels in use?**

Answer: A "shekel of the sanctuary" was necessary because common market shekels in ancient Israel and the wider Near East were often inconsistent in weight and prone to manipulation or fraud. Merchants might use heavier weights when buying and lighter weights when selling, leading to injustice. God, being perfectly just and holy, demanded an unchangeable, authoritative standard for all transactions related to His sacred Tabernacle and later the Temple. This "sanctuary shekel," explicitly defined as "twenty gerahs," ensured absolute integrity, consistency, and fairness in all vows, dedications, and redemptions made to the Lord, reflecting God's own unwavering character and His demand for righteousness in His people's dealings with Him (cf. [Deuteronomy 25:13-16](/deuteronomy/25-13 "Deuteronomy 25:13-16 - Just Weights and Measures")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Leviticus 27:25 establishes a physical standard for Old Covenant valuations, it ultimately points to the spiritual and ultimate standard found in Jesus Christ. The "shekel of the sanctuary" symbolized God's demand for perfect integrity and an unchanging measure for all that is dedicated to Him. In the New Covenant, Christ Himself becomes the ultimate "standard of the sanctuary," the perfect measure of God's righteousness and the fulfillment of all divine requirements. He is the one who perfectly fulfilled every jot and tittle of the Law, offering a life of absolute obedience and a sacrifice of infinite value, measured not by gerahs or shekels, but by the immeasurable worth of God's own Son ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Through His atoning work, we are redeemed not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, "as of a lamb without blemish or spot" ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redemption through Christ's Blood")). He is the true and living way, the perfect estimation of what it means to be wholly consecrated to God, allowing us, through faith in Him, to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is our spiritual worship ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")). Thus, the precision of the ancient shekel foreshadows the absolute perfection and sufficiency of Christ's work, which provides the true and eternal measure for our standing before a holy God.

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

Exodus 30:13

This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary: (a shekel [is] twenty gerahs:) an half shekel [shall be] the offering of the LORD.

Numbers 3:47

Thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by the poll, after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take [them]: (the shekel [is] twenty gerahs:)

Numbers 18:16

And those that are to be redeemed from a month old shalt thou redeem, according to thine estimation, for the money of five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, which [is] twenty gerahs.

Ezekiel 45:12

And the shekel [shall be] twenty gerahs: twenty shekels, five and twenty shekels, fifteen shekels, shall be your maneh.

Leviticus 27:3

And thy estimation shall be of the male from twenty years old even unto sixty years old, even thy estimation shall be fifty shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary.