Leviticus 27:28

KJV

Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall devote unto the LORD of all that he hath, [both] of man and beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed: every devoted thing [is] most holy unto the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

Notwithstanding no devoted thing {H2764}, that a man {H376} shall devote {H2763} unto the LORD {H3068} of all that he hath, both of man {H120} and beast {H929}, and of the field {H7704} of his possession {H272}, shall be sold {H4376} or redeemed {H1350}: every devoted thing {H2764} is most {H6944} holy {H6944} unto the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

However, nothing consecrated unconditionally which a person may consecrate to ADONAI out of all he owns - person, animal or field he possesses -is to be sold or redeemed; because everything consecrated unconditionally is especially holy to ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

Nothing that a man sets apart to the LORD from all he owns—whether a man, an animal, or his inherited land—can be sold or redeemed; everything so devoted is most holy to the LORD.

American Standard Version

Notwithstanding, no devoted thing, that a man shall devote unto Jehovah of all that he hath, whether of man or beast, or of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed: every devoted thing is most holy unto Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 27:28 introduces the concept of the "devoted thing," known in Hebrew as *cherem*, a unique and severe form of dedication to the LORD. Unlike other vows or offerings described in the chapter that allowed for redemption or valuation, a devoted thing was irrevocably consecrated. It could not be sold, bought back, or exchanged, signifying its absolute separation and designation as "most holy" unto the LORD, embodying the highest degree of sanctity and divine ownership.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 27 concludes the book of Leviticus, detailing various types of vows, dedications, and tithes that Israelites could make to the LORD. The chapter begins with regulations concerning vows involving persons, specifying their valuation based on age and gender (e.g., [Leviticus 27:1-8](/leviticus/27-1 "Leviticus 27:1-8 - Vows Concerning Persons")). It then moves to the dedication of animals, houses, and fields, often allowing for redemption upon payment of a specified sum, sometimes with an added fifth (e.g., [Leviticus 27:16-25](/leviticus/27-16 "Leviticus 27:16-25 - Vows Concerning Fields")). Verse 28, however, introduces a stark contrast to these redeemable items. The "devoted thing" (cherem) stands apart as an unredeemable category, emphasizing its unique and absolute consecration. Its placement at the end of the chapter highlights its distinct and ultimate nature, serving as a climactic statement on the most profound form of dedication.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of *cherem* (devoted thing) was deeply embedded in ancient Israelite society and had parallels in the ancient Near East, though with distinct theological implications. In Israel, *cherem* often carried connotations of a divine ban or utter destruction, particularly in contexts of holy war or judgment. For instance, cities and their inhabitants placed under *cherem* were to be completely destroyed or consecrated to God, with nothing taken for personal gain, as seen in the conquest of [Jericho](/joshua/6 "Joshua 6 - The Fall of Jericho"). This practice underscored God's absolute sovereignty and His demand for complete separation from defiling influences or as an act of ultimate consecration. While Leviticus 27:28 speaks of a "man" devoting something, it is crucial to understand that such an act, especially concerning "man and beast," was not a license for human sacrifice (which was strictly forbidden, as in [Deuteronomy 18:10](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Deuteronomy 18:10 - Abominations of Child Sacrifice")), but rather implied a complete and irrevocable separation, often to death, for those under a divine ban or as a unique, non-redeemable consecration to God's judgment or ownership.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Devoted thing (Hebrew, חֵרֶם, _ḥērem_):** This term is central to the verse's meaning. _Ḥērem_ signifies something irrevocably set apart, often for destruction or complete consecration to God, rendering it untouchable for common use or personal gain. It implies a ban, a curse, or something utterly dedicated. Unlike other vows in Leviticus 27 that allowed for redemption, an item or person under _ḥērem_ was permanently removed from human ownership and placed under divine jurisdiction, often with severe consequences for violation.
* **Most holy (Hebrew, קֹדֶשׁ קֳדָשִׁים, _qōdeš qodāšîm_):** This superlative phrase literally means "holiness of holinesses" or "holy of holies." It denotes the highest possible degree of sanctity, typically reserved for the most sacred objects within the Tabernacle/Temple (e.g., the Ark of the Covenant, the altar of incense) or the most sacred portions of offerings. By applying this phrase to the "devoted thing," the text emphasizes its absolute, unapproachable, and exclusive belonging to the LORD, signifying that it is set apart to the highest possible degree and cannot be profaned or reclaimed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Notwithstanding no devoted thing":** This opening phrase immediately sets Leviticus 27:28 apart from the preceding verses in the chapter. The word "notwithstanding" signals an exception or a strong contrast, indicating that what follows operates under different rules than the redeemable vows previously discussed. "No devoted thing" refers to the _ḥērem_, emphasizing its unique and unalterable status.
* **"that a man shall devote unto the LORD of all that he hath":** This clause clarifies that the act of devotion is initiated by a human individual ("a man") and encompasses the full scope of their possessions. The dedication is specifically "unto the LORD," highlighting the divine recipient and the sacred nature of the act. "All that he hath" underscores the comprehensive potential of such a dedication, encompassing various categories of property.
* **"both of man and beast, and of the field of his possession":** This specifies the categories of things that could be devoted. "Of man" is a grim inclusion, typically referring to enemies or those under a divine ban destined for destruction, rather than a general practice of human sacrifice. "Beast" includes animals, and "field of his possession" refers to land. These categories indicate the broad reach of the _ḥērem_ principle, applying to living beings and property.
* **"shall be sold or redeemed":** This is the core prohibition defining the _ḥērem_. Unlike other dedicated items in Leviticus 27 that could be bought back or exchanged, the devoted thing is explicitly forbidden from being sold to another or redeemed by the original owner or anyone else. This highlights its absolute and irreversible nature, signifying a permanent transfer of ownership or designation.
* **"every devoted thing is most holy unto the LORD":** This concluding declaration reiterates the ultimate status of the _ḥērem_. Being "most holy" (_qōdeš qodāšîm_) means it belongs exclusively to God in the highest degree of sanctity. This phrase reinforces the irrevocability and underscores that the devoted thing is utterly separated from common use and consecrated solely to God's purpose, whether for His exclusive possession or as an instrument of His judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 27:28 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Contrast**, as this verse stands in stark opposition to the preceding regulations in Leviticus 27, which detail various vows that *can* be redeemed or valued. The explicit prohibition "shall not be sold or redeemed" highlights this fundamental difference, emphasizing the unique and absolute nature of the *cherem*. **Repetition** of the phrase "devoted thing" (or its Hebrew equivalent, _ḥērem_) throughout the verse serves to underscore its central importance and distinct category. Furthermore, the use of **Hyperbole** or **Superlative Language** in "most holy" ( _qōdeš qodāšîm_) elevates the devoted thing to the highest possible level of sanctity, signifying its ultimate and unassailable belonging to God. This strong theological language imbues the concept with solemnity and gravity, reinforcing the seriousness of such a dedication.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 27:28 profoundly reveals God's absolute sovereignty and the nature of true consecration. The concept of the "devoted thing" (cherem) underscores that certain aspects of life, once consecrated to God, are irrevocably His, beyond human reclamation or manipulation. It speaks to a radical form of dedication where something is utterly set apart, not for human benefit, but solely for divine purpose, often implying complete separation or even destruction as an act of judgment or ultimate purity. This highlights God's demand for unreserved holiness and His ultimate ownership over all creation, reminding us that true devotion involves surrendering control and acknowledging His supreme authority.

* [Joshua 6:17](/joshua/6-17 "Joshua 6:17 - Jericho and its Contents Devoted")
* [Joshua 7:1](/joshua/7-1 "Joshua 7:1 - Achan's Violation of the Devoted Thing")
* [Deuteronomy 7:26](/deuteronomy/7-26 "Deuteronomy 7:26 - Warning Against Bringing Devoted Things into the Home")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific practice of *cherem* as described in the Old Testament, particularly its implications for destruction, is not directly applicable to New Covenant believers, the underlying theological principles of absolute dedication, divine ownership, and ultimate holiness remain profoundly relevant. This verse challenges us to consider the depth of our own consecration to God. If something can be so utterly set apart for Him that it becomes "most holy" and unredeemable, how much more should our lives, time, talents, and resources be considered irrevocably dedicated to His purposes? We are called to a life of radical surrender, where our "possessions"—both material and spiritual—are not held for personal gain or reclaimable at will, but are rather offered as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. This passage invites us to examine what we might still be holding back from God, seeking to "redeem" for ourselves, rather than fully entrusting it to His sovereign will and holy purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I struggle with fully surrendering to God, holding back what I might wish to "redeem" for myself?**
* **How does the absolute nature of the "devoted thing" challenge my understanding of commitment and consecration in my walk with Christ?**
* **What does it mean for me to live a life "most holy unto the LORD" in a contemporary context, acknowledging His ultimate ownership over all I have and am?**

### FAQ

**What is the difference between a "devoted thing" and other vows in Leviticus 27?**

Answer: The primary difference lies in irrevocability and redemption. Most vows in [Leviticus 27](/leviticus/27 "Leviticus 27 - Vows and Tithes") (e.g., vows concerning persons, animals, or fields) included provisions for redemption, meaning the vowed item could be bought back or its value paid to the LORD, often with an added 20% (a fifth part). However, a "devoted thing" (_cherem_) was explicitly stated as "shall not be sold or redeemed." Once something was designated as _cherem_, it was permanently and absolutely consecrated to the LORD, becoming "most holy" and entirely removed from human ownership or benefit. This often implied its destruction or complete separation for God's exclusive use or judgment.

**Does Leviticus 27:28 imply human sacrifice?**

Answer: No, Leviticus 27:28 does not endorse human sacrifice. While the verse mentions "of man" as something that can be devoted, the concept of _cherem_ concerning humans in the Old Testament typically refers to individuals or groups under a divine ban, often enemies of Israel, who were to be utterly destroyed as an act of God's judgment or to prevent defilement. This is seen in contexts of holy war, such as the command to utterly destroy the inhabitants of [Jericho](/joshua/6-17 "Joshua 6:17 - Jericho Devoted"). Human sacrifice was strictly forbidden in Israelite law and was considered an abomination to the LORD, as explicitly stated in passages like [Deuteronomy 18:10](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Deuteronomy 18:10 - Abominations of Child Sacrifice"). The "devoted thing" concerning humans was about complete separation or judgment, not a sacrificial offering for atonement or worship.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 27:28, with its concept of the "devoted thing" (cherem), finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While *cherem* often carried connotations of destruction or irrevocable separation for judgment, Christ embodies the ultimate "devoted thing" in a redemptive sense. He was utterly and irrevocably consecrated to the Father's will, not for His own benefit, but for the salvation of humanity. His life, death, and resurrection represent the supreme act of devotion, a complete and unredeemable offering of Himself. As the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), Jesus became the curse (_cherem_) for us, taking upon Himself the divine ban and judgment due to humanity's sin ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). Through His perfect sacrifice, He rendered Himself "most holy unto the LORD" in a way that brings life, not destruction, to those who believe. Furthermore, as believers, we are now "in Christ," bought with a price ([1 Corinthians 6:20](/1_corinthians/6-20 "1 Corinthians 6:20 - Bought with a Price")), and are no longer our own. We are called to present our bodies as [living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifices"), mirroring Christ's complete devotion. In this sense, we, too, become "devoted things" to the Lord—irrevocably set apart for His purposes, unredeemable from His ownership, and called to live lives of ultimate holiness in response to His ultimate devotion for us.

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

Joshua 6:17

¶ And the city shall be accursed, [even] it, and all that [are] therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that [are] with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.

Joshua 6:19

But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, [are] consecrated unto the LORD: they shall come into the treasury of the LORD.

Exodus 22:20

He that sacrificeth unto [any] god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.

Leviticus 27:21

But the field, when it goeth out in the jubile, shall be holy unto the LORD, as a field devoted; the possession thereof shall be the priest's.

Deuteronomy 20:16

But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee [for] an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth:

Deuteronomy 20:17

But thou shalt utterly destroy them; [namely], the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee:

Deuteronomy 25:19

Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance to possess it, [that] thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget [it].