Leviticus 27:4

KJV

And if it [be] a female, then thy estimation shall be thirty shekels.

KJV (with Strong's)

And if it be a female {H5347}, then thy estimation {H6187} shall be thirty {H7970} shekels {H8255}.

Complete Jewish Bible

if a woman, thirty shekels.

Berean Standard Bible

Or if it is a female, then your valuation shall be thirty shekels.

American Standard Version

And if it be a female, then thy estimation shall be thirty shekels.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 27:4 specifies the monetary redemption value for a female individual between the ages of twenty and sixty years old who has been vowed to the Lord. This verse is part of a larger chapter detailing the regulations for voluntary vows, allowing Israelites to dedicate persons, animals, or property to God, with provisions for their monetary estimation and redemption. It highlights the meticulous nature of God's law in providing a structured system for fulfilling such sacred commitments, ensuring order and fairness within the community while reflecting the socio-economic realities of ancient Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 27 serves as an appendix to the Book of Leviticus, providing a detailed legal framework for voluntary vows made to the Lord. While the preceding chapters meticulously outline laws concerning sacrifices, purity, and holy days, chapter 27 shifts focus to personal and property dedications. Verses 1-8 specifically address the "estimation" or valuation of persons vowed. This system allowed individuals to dedicate themselves or others to temple service, or to vow a portion of their property, and then redeem it with a monetary payment. This verse, Leviticus 27:4, directly follows the valuation for a male of the same age range (20 to 60 years old) in [Leviticus 27:3](/leviticus/27-3 "Leviticus 27:3 - Valuation of a Male"), which set the value at fifty shekels of silver. The immediate juxtaposition underscores the comparative nature of these valuations based on gender and age within the Mosaic Law.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, as in many ancient Near Eastern societies, societal roles and economic contributions often differed between genders. Men were typically associated with heavier agricultural labor, military service, and public life, which contributed to a higher perceived economic value in terms of labor capacity or potential earnings. Women, while vital to the household economy and societal well-being, often engaged in different forms of labor that might have been valued differently in a monetary redemption system. It is crucial to understand that these valuations in [Leviticus 27](/leviticus/27 "Leviticus 27 - Laws Concerning Vows") were not statements on the inherent spiritual worth or dignity of individuals in God's eyes, but rather practical, socio-economic assessments for the purpose of monetary redemption within a specific cultural context. The system provided a standardized, objective scale for fulfilling vows, preventing arbitrary valuations and ensuring fairness in transactions involving sacred commitments.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Female (Hebrew, נְקֵבָה, _nəqēḇāh'_):** This term specifically designates a woman or female individual. In the context of Leviticus 27, it refers to a human female who has been "vowed" or consecrated to the Lord. The specific age range for this valuation (20-60 years old) implies an individual in their prime working years, capable of contributing labor or service. The distinct valuation for a female, as opposed to a male, highlights the ancient Israelite societal structure where gender roles often dictated economic contribution and, consequently, monetary estimation in such legal contexts.
* **Estimation (Hebrew, עֶרְכְּךָ, _ʿerkəḵā'_):** Derived from the root עָרַךְ (_ʿāraḵ_), meaning "to arrange, set in order, estimate, value," this term refers to the fixed monetary value or assessment assigned to a person or item dedicated by vow. It is not an arbitrary price but a divinely ordained, standardized sum. This "estimation" served as the redemption price, allowing the vower to "buy back" the dedicated person or item, thereby fulfilling the vow without permanently parting with the dedicated entity. It underscores God's meticulous provision for order and fairness in the handling of sacred vows.
* **Shekels (Hebrew, שֶׁקֶל, _šeqel'_):** A standard unit of weight and currency in the ancient Near East, typically referring to a specific weight of silver. In the Mosaic Law, the shekel was often standardized to the "shekel of the sanctuary" (e.g., [Exodus 30:13](/exodus/30-13 "Exodus 30:13 - The Half-Shekel Tax")). The mention of "thirty shekels" here specifies the exact amount of silver required for the redemption of a vowed female. This precise numerical value is significant, as it appears in other critical biblical contexts, notably as the compensation for a gored slave in [Exodus 21:32](/exodus/21-32 "Exodus 21:32 - Compensation for a Gored Slave") and, most famously, as the price for which [Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus](/matthew/26-15 "Matthew 26:15 - Judas' Betrayal Price") (Matthew 26:15).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if it [be] a female":** This clause establishes the specific demographic for the valuation. It refers to a person who has been vowed to the Lord, specifically identifying her gender as female. The preceding verses establish the age categories, and this verse specifies the gender within the 20-60 year old bracket, which is considered the period of peak physical capacity and economic productivity in ancient societies.
* **"then thy estimation shall be thirty shekels":** This is the legal stipulation, setting the precise monetary value for redeeming a vowed female. The "thirty shekels" of silver is the fixed price that the vower must pay to the sanctuary to fulfill their vow and redeem the individual. This amount is notably less than the fifty shekels prescribed for a male of the same age range in [Leviticus 27:3](/leviticus/27-3 "Leviticus 27:3 - Valuation of a Male"), reflecting the socio-economic context where men were typically valued higher for their perceived labor capacity in the public sphere.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 27:4 primarily functions as a **Legal Stipulation** within a larger body of **Casuistic Law**, presenting a specific case ("if it be a female") and its corresponding legal consequence ("then thy estimation shall be thirty shekels"). The precise **Numerical Specification** of "thirty shekels" is a key device, providing an unambiguous and standardized value, removing subjectivity from the redemption process. This numerical precision also creates an implicit **Contrast** with the fifty-shekel valuation for males in the preceding verse, highlighting the differential valuations based on gender within the ancient Israelite socio-economic framework. Furthermore, the entire chapter employs **Categorization** and **Classification** by systematically listing different types of vows (persons, animals, houses, fields) and their respective redemption values, demonstrating the meticulous and comprehensive nature of the Mosaic Law.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 27:4, within the broader context of vows and estimations, reveals profound theological truths about God's character and His relationship with humanity. It underscores the **seriousness and sanctity of promises made to God**, emphasizing that vows were not to be taken lightly but required concrete fulfillment, whether through direct dedication or monetary redemption. While the specific valuations reflect ancient societal norms regarding economic contribution, they do not diminish the inherent worth of any individual in God's eyes. Instead, the system reveals God's meticulous provision for order, fairness, and the practical administration of sacred commitments within the community. The concept of "estimation" and "redemption" also subtly points towards a greater theological reality: humanity's need for a price to be paid for their ultimate redemption from sin.

* [Leviticus 27:3](/leviticus/27-3 "Leviticus 27:3 - Valuation of a Male")
* [Exodus 21:32](/exodus/21-32 "Exodus 21:32 - Compensation for a Gored Slave")
* [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - Equality in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific practice of vowing persons and their monetary redemption is not directly applicable to believers under the New Covenant, the underlying principles of Leviticus 27:4 offer profound insights for contemporary faith. This passage calls us to consider the integrity of our promises, especially those made to God. Our "vows" today may not be literal dedications of persons, but rather commitments to serve, give, or follow God's will. The meticulousness of the law reminds us that God values order and faithfulness in our spiritual walk. Furthermore, understanding the cultural context of these valuations helps us discern between culturally specific practices and timeless divine principles. It challenges us to reflect on how our own societies value individuals and to remember that in Christ, all are equally valued, loved, and redeemed, transcending any earthly estimations.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How seriously do I take my commitments and promises, especially those made in the context of my faith?**
* **In what ways might societal or cultural "estimations" of worth influence my perception of others, and how can I align my view with God's impartial love?**
* **How does the Old Testament concept of "redemption through payment" deepen my appreciation for the ultimate redemption offered through Jesus Christ?**

### FAQ
**Why is the valuation for a female less than for a male in Leviticus 27:4?**

Answer: The differing valuations for males (50 shekels in [Leviticus 27:3](/leviticus/27-3 "Leviticus 27:3 - Valuation of a Male")) and females (30 shekels in Leviticus 27:4) in ancient Israel reflect the prevailing societal and economic realities of the time, not a statement on inherent human worth in God's eyes. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, men were typically valued higher for their physical labor capacity in agriculture, construction, and military service, which were primary economic contributions. Women's contributions, while invaluable to the household and community, were often perceived differently in a system of monetary "estimation" for redemption purposes. This was a practical redemption scale based on perceived economic or labor potential within that specific cultural and historical context, designed to provide a standardized system for fulfilling vows, rather than a theological declaration about spiritual value.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 27:4, with its stipulated "estimation" of thirty shekels for a vowed female, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. While the Old Testament valuations were based on human societal worth and labor potential, they ultimately point to the inestimable value of humanity in God's eyes and the ultimate price paid for our redemption. The recurring motif of "thirty shekels" in Scripture, notably as the price of a gored slave in [Exodus 21:32](/exodus/21-32 "Exodus 21:32 - Compensation for a Gored Slave") and chillingly as the price for which [Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus](/matthew/26-15 "Matthew 26:15 - Judas' Betrayal Price"), powerfully foreshadows the Lord's ultimate sacrifice. Jesus, though of infinite worth, was "estimated" and sold for the price of a slave, identifying with humanity's lowest estate to redeem us. Unlike the temporary and culturally-bound redemption of Leviticus, Christ's sacrifice on the cross is the final and perfect payment, redeeming us "not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect" ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redemption by Christ's Precious Blood")). In Him, the concept of "estimation" is transformed from a societal valuation to a divine declaration of infinite love, where all, male and female, are equally redeemed and possess immeasurable worth in God's kingdom ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - Equality in Christ")).

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

Matthew 26:15

And said [unto them], What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.

Matthew 27:9

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;

Matthew 27:10

And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me.

Zechariah 11:12

And I said unto them, If ye think good, give [me] my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty [pieces] of silver.

Zechariah 11:13

And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty [pieces] of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.