Leviticus 27:27

KJV

And if [it be] of an unclean beast, then he shall redeem [it] according to thine estimation, and shall add a fifth [part] of it thereto: or if it be not redeemed, then it shall be sold according to thy estimation.

KJV (with Strong's)

And if it be of an unclean {H2931} beast {H929}, then he shall redeem {H6299} it according to thine estimation {H6187}, and shall add {H3254} a fifth {H2549} part of it thereto: or if it be not redeemed {H1350}, then it shall be sold {H4376} according to thy estimation {H6187}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But if it is an unclean animal, he may redeem it at the price at which you value it and add one-fifth; or if he does not redeem it, it is to be sold at the price at which you value it.

Berean Standard Bible

But if it is among the unclean animals, then he may redeem it according to your valuation and add a fifth of its value. If it is not redeemed, then it shall be sold according to your valuation.

American Standard Version

And if it be of an unclean beast, then he shall ransom it according to thine estimation, and shall add unto it the fifth part thereof: or if it be not redeemed, then it shall be sold according to thy estimation.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 27:27 details the specific regulations for an unclean animal that has been dedicated or vowed to the Lord. Since such an animal could not be offered as a sacrifice due to its ritual impurity, the law provided two alternatives: either the original dedicator could redeem it by paying its assessed value plus an additional one-fifth (20%) surcharge, or, if not redeemed, the animal was to be sold to another party at its estimated value. This regulation underscores the sanctity of vows made to God, the principle of divine ownership over dedicated items, and the meticulous nature of God's laws concerning purity and restitution within the Israelite covenant community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 27 serves as the concluding chapter of the book, bringing to a close the extensive legal and cultic instructions given by God to Israel through Moses. While much of Leviticus focuses on sacrifices, offerings, and laws of purity, chapter 27 shifts to the specific regulations concerning vows and dedications of persons, animals, houses, and fields to the Lord. This chapter functions as an appendix, clarifying how items, once vowed, could be redeemed or handled if they were not suitable for direct use in the sanctuary. Verse 27 specifically addresses the unique case of an "unclean beast," distinguishing it from clean animals that could be offered as sacrifices (as detailed in [Leviticus 1](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - Burnt Offerings")). Its placement at the end emphasizes that even items ritually unfit for the altar still fell under divine jurisdiction once dedicated, requiring a specific protocol to honor the vow and God's ownership.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the distinction between "clean" and "unclean" animals was fundamental to their religious and daily life, as extensively outlined in [Leviticus 11](/leviticus/11 "Leviticus 11 - Clean and Unclean Animals"). Unclean animals were prohibited for consumption and, crucially, were ritually unfit for sacrifice on the altar, which was reserved for unblemished, clean animals (e.g., cattle, sheep, goats) as a means of atonement and worship. Vows were a significant aspect of ancient Near Eastern religious practice, and in Israel, they were solemn commitments made to God, often in exchange for divine favor or as an expression of devotion. Once a vow was made, it was binding and considered sacred (cf. [Numbers 30:2](/numbers/30-2 "Numbers 30:2 - The Binding Nature of Vows")). The role of the priest in "estimation" (valuation) was critical, as they were the designated authority to assess the market value of the dedicated item, ensuring fairness and adherence to the law. The addition of a "fifth part" (20%) was a common surcharge in Levitical law for restitution or reclaiming dedicated items, serving as a deterrent against rash vows and emphasizing the seriousness of dedicated property, as seen in cases of unintentional sin or trespass against holy things (e.g., [Leviticus 5:16](/leviticus/5-16 "Leviticus 5:16 - Restitution for Unintentional Sin")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Beast (Hebrew, _behemah'_):** This general term refers to domestic animals, but in this context, it is specifically qualified by "unclean" (טְמֵאָה, _t'me'ah_). An "unclean beast" (בְּהֵמָה הַטְּמֵאָה, *behemah hatte'me'ah*) designates an animal ritually impure according to the Mosaic Law, making it unsuitable for sacrificial offering. This distinction was vital for maintaining the holiness of the tabernacle and the purity of the worshiping community.
* **Redeem (Hebrew, _ga'al'_):** The verb גָּאַל (*ga'al*) signifies 'to buy back,' 'to ransom,' 'to reclaim,' or 'to act as a kinsman-redeemer.' In this verse, it refers to the act of repurchasing an item that had been dedicated to God. This concept is foundational to biblical theology, representing the liberation or restoration of something or someone by payment of a price. Here, it allows the dedicator to regain possession of the unclean animal by paying its assessed value, plus a penalty, thereby honoring the original vow financially.
* **Estimation (Hebrew, _'erek'_):** The noun עֶרֶךְ (*'erek*) refers to the 'valuation,' 'assessment,' or 'appraisal' of an item. In Leviticus 27, this estimation was typically made by the priest, who served as God's representative. This ensured an objective and authoritative valuation, preventing disputes and upholding the sanctity of the dedicated item, whether it was to be redeemed or sold.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if [it be] of an unclean beast":** This clause immediately sets the specific condition for the subsequent regulations. It identifies the subject as an animal that is ritually impure according to the dietary and purity laws of Israel. Such an animal, unlike a clean animal, could not be offered as a burnt offering or peace offering to the Lord.
* **"then he shall redeem [it] according to thine estimation":** If the person who dedicated the unclean animal wishes to reclaim it, they must pay its value. The phrase "thine estimation" refers to the valuation determined by the priest or the designated authority, ensuring a fair and impartial assessment of the animal's market worth. This act of redemption allows the dedicator to nullify the physical dedication while still honoring the financial commitment of the vow.
* **"and shall add a fifth [part] of it thereto":** This crucial addition mandates a 20% surcharge on the estimated value. This "fifth part" serves multiple purposes: it acts as a penalty for reclaiming something dedicated to God, emphasizes the seriousness and binding nature of vows, and discourages rash or insincere dedications. It reinforces the idea that once something is vowed, it truly belongs to the Lord, and reclaiming it comes at an additional cost.
* **"or if it be not redeemed, then it shall be sold according to thy estimation":** This provides the alternative disposition for the unclean beast if the original dedicator chooses not to redeem it. In such a case, the animal would be sold to another party at the priest's assessed value. The proceeds from this sale would then go to the sanctuary, affirming that the dedicated item, even if not physically offered, still served the Lord's purposes through its monetary value.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 27:27 employs several literary devices to convey its meaning and reinforce its legal authority. The most prominent is **Legal Language**, characterized by its prescriptive, conditional ("And if... then he shall..."), and precise nature, typical of the Mosaic Law. This ensures clarity and leaves no ambiguity regarding the proper procedure. **Repetition** of the phrase "according to thine estimation" underscores the importance of the priestly valuation as the authoritative standard, preventing subjective or fraudulent dealings. There is also a clear **Contrast** presented between the two outcomes: redemption with a penalty versus outright sale, highlighting the two pathways for handling a dedicated unclean animal. Furthermore, the "fifth part" can be seen as a form of **Symbolism**, representing the cost of breaking or altering a sacred commitment, and the seriousness with which God views vows made to Him.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 27:27, though dealing with a seemingly minor legal detail, powerfully reinforces several foundational theological principles of the Old Covenant. It underscores God's absolute **Holiness** and His demand for separation, evident in the distinction between clean and unclean animals—only what was pure could approach Him. The verse also highlights the **Sanctity of Vows**, demonstrating that commitments made to the Lord are binding and carry serious implications; the added surcharge for redemption served as a deterrent against rash promises. Furthermore, the concept of **Divine Ownership** is central: once dedicated, an item, even an "unclean" one, belonged to the Lord, and its value ultimately served His purposes, whether through redemption or sale. This passage also subtly introduces the theme of **Redemption**, where a price is paid to reclaim something, foreshadowing a much greater spiritual reality.

* [Numbers 30:2](/numbers/30-2 "Numbers 30:2 - Keeping Vows to the Lord")
* [Leviticus 5:16](/leviticus/5-16 "Leviticus 5:16 - Restitution and the Fifth Part")
* [Psalm 24:1](/psalm/24-1 "Psalm 24:1 - The Earth is the Lord's")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific practice of dedicating unclean beasts is no longer applicable under the New Covenant, the enduring principles embedded in Leviticus 27:27 offer profound lessons for contemporary believers. This passage calls us to a deeper understanding of God's character—His meticulous holiness, His unwavering justice, and His expectation of integrity from His people. It challenges us to reflect on the seriousness with which we approach our commitments, particularly those made to God. Do we treat our promises, our tithes, our service, or our spiritual disciplines with the same gravity as the Israelites were expected to treat their vows? The "fifth part" serves as a stark reminder that there is a cost to our decisions, especially when we attempt to reclaim what we have dedicated or when we fall short of our commitments. This ancient law encourages us to live lives marked by faithfulness, integrity, and a profound respect for the sacred, understanding that all we have and all we are ultimately belong to the Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How seriously do I take my commitments and vows, especially those made to God in prayer or worship?**
* **In what ways does God's demand for holiness, even in seemingly minor regulations like this, shape my understanding of His character?**
* **Are there "unclean" aspects of my life—habits, attitudes, or possessions—that I have perhaps tried to dedicate to God without truly transforming them, and what does this verse teach me about their true disposition?**

### FAQ
**Why couldn't an unclean beast be sacrificed?**

Answer: Unclean animals were ritually unfit for sacrifice because they did not meet God's standards of purity and holiness required for the sacrificial system. The purpose of sacrifices was to atone for sin, express worship, and maintain covenant relationship with a holy God. Only unblemished, clean animals (e.g., cattle, sheep, goats) were designated for the altar, symbolizing purity and the perfect offering required for atonement. The laws concerning clean and unclean animals, detailed in [Leviticus 11](/leviticus/11 "Leviticus 11 - Clean and Unclean Animals"), distinguished between animals permissible for consumption and those that were not, and this distinction extended to their suitability for sacred purposes.

**What was the purpose of adding a "fifth part" (20%)?**

Answer: The addition of a "fifth part" (one-fifth, or 20%) to the estimated value served as a surcharge or penalty for reclaiming something that had been dedicated to the Lord. This principle is seen elsewhere in Levitical law, such as in cases of restitution for unintentional sin against holy things (e.g., [Leviticus 5:16](/leviticus/5-16 "Leviticus 5:16 - Restitution for Unintentional Sin")). Its purpose was multifaceted: it underscored the seriousness and binding nature of vows made to God, discouraged rash or insincere dedications, and ensured that the act of reclaiming a dedicated item came at a tangible cost, thereby upholding the sanctity of the vow and God's ownership.

**What happened to the money from the sale or redemption?**

Answer: Whether the unclean beast was redeemed by the original dedicator (with the added fifth part) or sold to another party, the monetary value (or the proceeds from the sale) would go to the sanctuary. This revenue would support the priests and the ongoing operations of the tabernacle (and later, the temple). This practice affirmed the principle that once something was dedicated to the Lord, its value, if not its physical presence, ultimately belonged to Him and was to be used for His purposes.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 27:27, with its intricate details concerning the redemption of an unclean beast, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Humanity, in its fallen state, is spiritually "unclean" and utterly unfit to approach a holy God or offer anything acceptable for atonement. We are like the unclean beast—dedicated to sin, yet unable to offer ourselves as a worthy sacrifice. However, the concept of **redemption** in this verse beautifully foreshadows the ultimate redemption wrought by Christ. He is our Kinsman-Redeemer (גָּאַל, *ga'al*), who did not redeem us with perishable things like silver or gold, or the value of an animal, but with His own precious blood (as declared in [1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redemption by Precious Blood")). He paid the immeasurable cost, not just an added "fifth part," but the full penalty for our sin, becoming sin for us so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through His perfect sacrifice, we are not merely "redeemed" to our former state, but transformed and made clean, dedicated to God not by our flawed vows, but by His perfect, once-for-all offering. Our lives are now fully His, bought with a price, and we are called to live as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices")), recognizing that we are no longer our own, but belong to Him who redeemed us ([1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - Our Bodies are Temples of the Holy Spirit")).

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 27:11

And if [it be] any unclean beast, of which they do not offer a sacrifice unto the LORD, then he shall present the beast before the priest: