Leviticus 27:27

Context

Leviticus 27:27 is part of the final chapter of the book of Leviticus, which concludes a lengthy discourse on various laws, offerings, and instructions for Israel's priests and people. This chapter specifically deals with the laws concerning vows and dedications made to the Lord. While earlier verses cover the dedication of persons, houses, and fields, this verse addresses a unique situation: the dedication of an unclean beast. Unlike clean animals, which could be offered as sacrifices (see Leviticus 1:2 for burnt offerings), unclean animals were ritually unfit for sacrifice according to Mosaic Law, as detailed in Leviticus 11:1 on clean and unclean animals.

Meaning of the Verse

The verse outlines the procedure for handling an animal that, despite being unclean, has been dedicated or vowed to the Lord. Since it cannot be sacrificed, a mechanism for its disposition is provided:

• "And if [it be] of an unclean beast": This clarifies the specific type of animal being discussed – one that is ritually impure and therefore unsuitable for the altar.
• "then he shall redeem [it] according to thine estimation, and shall add a fifth [part] of it thereto": If the person who dedicated the unclean animal wishes to reclaim it, they must pay its value as assessed by the priest (or the designated authority). Crucially, they must also add an additional fifth part (20%) of that estimated value. This surcharge served as a penalty or a means to emphasize the seriousness of vows and the sanctity of dedicated items, a principle also seen in restitution for unintentional sin in Leviticus 5:16.
• "or if it be not redeemed, then it shall be sold according to thy estimation": If the original dedicator chooses not to redeem the animal, it would then be sold to someone else at the priest's assessed value. The proceeds from this sale would then go to the sanctuary, demonstrating that once something was dedicated, it belonged to the Lord, whether redeemed or sold.

Key Themes

• Holiness and Separation: The distinction between clean and unclean animals underscores God's demand for holiness and the separation of His people from common practices. Only what was pure could be presented to Him.
• Sanctity of Vows: The chapter, including this verse, highlights the solemn nature of vows made to God. Once dedicated, an item, even an unclean one, was considered sacred and could not be lightly dismissed. The added fifth part served as a disincentive for making rash vows or for attempting to reclaim dedicated items without cost.
• Redemption: The concept of redemption is central here, meaning to 'buy back' or 'ransom'. While the animal itself couldn't be a sacrifice, its value could be redeemed, allowing the dedicator to regain possession while still honoring the vow financially. This foreshadows the broader biblical theme of redemption through Christ's blood.
• Divine Ownership: Regardless of whether the animal was redeemed or sold, its value ultimately went to the Lord's treasury, affirming that all dedicated things ultimately belong to Him.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew word for "redeem" here is ga'al (גָּאַל), which carries the meaning of 'to buy back', 'to ransom', or 'to act as a kinsman-redeemer'. It's a significant term in the Old Testament, often referring to a family member's duty to buy back property, relatives, or even to avenge blood. In this context, it signifies the act of reclaiming something that was dedicated to God by paying its assessed value, plus a surcharge.

Practical Application

While the specific context of dedicating unclean beasts is no longer applicable under the New Covenant, the principles embedded in Leviticus 27:27 remain relevant:

• Seriousness of Commitments: We are called to be serious about our commitments, especially those made to God. Whether it's a promise, a tithe, or a service, our word should be trustworthy (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 warns against rash vows).
• Understanding God's Nature: The intricate laws of Leviticus reveal God's meticulous nature, His demand for holiness, and His establishment of order. Even in seemingly minor details, God's character is revealed.
• The Cost of Redemption: The concept of adding a "fifth part" to redeem something dedicated can be seen as a shadow of the cost associated with our own redemption. Our salvation was not cheap; it came at the immeasurable price of Christ's precious blood.