Leviticus 27:5

KJV

And if [it be] from five years old even unto twenty years old, then thy estimation shall be of the male twenty shekels, and for the female ten shekels.

KJV (with Strong's)

And if it be from five {H2568} years {H8141} old {H1121} even unto twenty {H6242} years {H8141} old {H1121}, then thy estimation {H6187} shall be of the male {H2145} twenty {H6242} shekels {H8255}, and for the female {H5347} ten {H6235} shekels {H8255}.

Complete Jewish Bible

If it is a child five to twenty years old, assign a value of twenty shekels for a boy and ten for a girl;

Berean Standard Bible

And if the person is from five to twenty years of age, then your valuation for the male shall be twenty shekels, and for the female ten shekels.

American Standard Version

And if it be from five years old even unto twenty years old, then thy estimation shall be of the male twenty shekels, and for the female ten shekels.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 27:5 is a specific regulation within the broader chapter on vows and dedications to the Lord. It precisely outlines the redemption value, or "estimation," for individuals aged five to twenty years old who had been dedicated by vow. This verse stipulates a fixed tariff of twenty shekels of silver for a male and ten shekels for a female within this age bracket, demonstrating God's meticulous order in matters of consecration and redemption within the Israelite community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 27 serves as the concluding chapter of the book of Leviticus, which primarily details the laws of holiness, worship, and the proper functioning of the covenant relationship between God and Israel. Following extensive instructions on sacrifices, priesthood, ritual purity, and festivals, Chapter 27 addresses the practicalities of vows (`neder`, נֶדֶר) made to the Lord. These vows could involve dedicating persons, animals, or property to God. The chapter provides a system for redeeming these dedicated items or individuals through a fixed monetary payment, emphasizing that while dedicated, they could be bought back at a divinely appointed price. Leviticus 27:5 fits into a detailed sequence of age- and gender-specific valuations for human dedications, immediately following the valuations for infants and younger children ([Leviticus 27:3-4](/leviticus/27-3 "Leviticus 27:3-4 - Valuation for Infants and Young Adults")) and preceding those for older adults and the elderly ([Leviticus 27:6-7](/leviticus/27-6 "Leviticus 27:6-7 - Valuation for Older Adults and the Elderly")), illustrating a comprehensive and systematic approach to these sacred commitments.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, making vows was a significant religious practice, often undertaken to express devotion, seek divine favor, or fulfill a promise. Such vows were considered highly sacred and binding (cf. [Deuteronomy 23:21](/deuteronomy/23-21 "Deuteronomy 23:21 - Fulfilling Vows")). The concept of "estimation" (Hebrew: `‘arak`, עָרַךְ) in this context does not refer to a market appraisal of a person's worth, but rather a fixed, divinely ordained tariff for redemption. This system prevented arbitrary pricing and ensured fairness, reflecting God's orderly nature in legal and religious matters. The shekel was the standard unit of weight and currency, typically referring to a shekel of silver. The varying valuations based on age and gender (e.g., males valued higher than females, and adults in their prime valued highest) reflect the societal and economic realities of an agrarian society, where physical strength and productive capacity were differentiated. However, it is crucial to understand that these valuations pertained to a person's redeemable value in the context of a vow, not their inherent dignity or spiritual worth before God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Estimation (Hebrew, עָרַךְ, _‘arak'_):** This term signifies a fixed valuation, a pre-determined tariff, or an assessment for the purpose of redemption. It is not an appraisal of market value or intrinsic worth, but a sacred, legal calculation established by divine decree. The use of `‘arak` underscores the divine authority behind these specific monetary values, ensuring consistency and preventing human manipulation in matters dedicated to God.
* **Shekels (Hebrew, שֶׁקֶל, _sheqel'_):** The shekel was the primary unit of weight and currency in ancient Israel, typically referring to silver. Its mention here grounds the abstract concept of "estimation" in a concrete, measurable form of payment. The specific quantities (twenty shekels for a male, ten for a female) highlight the precise nature of the law and the substantial cost associated with redeeming a dedicated person.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if [it be] from five years old even unto twenty years old":** This clause precisely defines the age demographic to which this particular valuation applies. This period represents a stage of life characterized by increasing physical development and capacity for work, transitioning from childhood dependency towards adult productivity. The law meticulously categorizes individuals to ensure clarity and consistency in the application of the vow redemption system.
* **"then thy estimation shall be of the male twenty shekels":** For a male within the 5-20 age group, the fixed redemption value is set at twenty shekels of silver. This value is higher than that for younger children (e.g., one to five years old, valued at five shekels in [Leviticus 27:6](/leviticus/27-6 "Leviticus 27:6 - Valuation for Older Adults and the Elderly")), reflecting the growing physical strength and potential for labor that a male in this age range could contribute to a household or community.
* **"and for the female ten shekels":** For a female in the same 5-20 age group, the redemption value is ten shekels of silver, exactly half of the male's valuation. This consistent halving of the male value for females across most age brackets in Leviticus 27 reflects the distinct societal roles and economic contributions of men and women in ancient Israelite culture, where men typically engaged in heavier agricultural labor or military service. It is crucial to interpret this through the lens of ancient societal structure rather than as a statement on inherent human worth, which is equal before God.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 27:5, like much of the Mosaic Law, exemplifies **Casuistic Law**, presenting a specific case ("If [it be] from five years old...") and its corresponding legal consequence ("then thy estimation shall be..."). This "if-then" structure provides clear, precise regulations for various scenarios. The verse also employs **Numerical Specification**, detailing exact monetary values (twenty shekels, ten shekels), which underscores the meticulous and orderly nature of God's commands and the seriousness with which vows were to be handled. Furthermore, there is a clear **Contrast** established between the male and female valuations within the same age group, highlighting the consistent 2:1 ratio. This structured presentation emphasizes the systematic and comprehensive nature of the divine law, ensuring that every category of dedicated person had a defined redemption value. The entire chapter, including this verse, functions as a **Legal Code**, providing a framework for managing sacred obligations and transactions within the Israelite community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, though seemingly mundane in its specific monetary valuations, powerfully communicates several profound theological truths. It underscores God's meticulous order and sovereignty over all things, including human life and commitments. The very existence of a system for "estimating" and "redeeming" dedicated persons highlights the seriousness with which vows were to be taken before the Lord; once something was vowed, it belonged to God, and its retrieval required a divinely appointed payment. This concept of redemption, even in a limited Old Testament context, foreshadows a deeper spiritual reality: that all humanity, in a sense, is "dedicated" to God by creation, yet fallen, and requires a "price" for true redemption and restoration to Him. The fixed tariffs also speak to God's fairness and impartiality in establishing consistent standards for His people.

* [Deuteronomy 23:21](/deuteronomy/23-21 "Deuteronomy 23:21 - Fulfilling Vows to the Lord")
* [Numbers 30:2](/numbers/30-2 "Numbers 30:2 - Keeping One's Word to the Lord")
* [Psalm 50:10-12](/psalms/50-10 "Psalm 50:10-12 - God's Ownership of All Creation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific monetary valuations of Leviticus 27:5 are not directly applicable to our lives today, the underlying principles are timeless and profoundly relevant. This passage calls us to reflect on the seriousness of our commitments and vows, especially those made to God. Whether it's the implicit vow of faith, the explicit vows of marriage, baptism, or ordination, or promises made in prayer, God takes our word seriously, and so should we. The meticulous detail in these laws reminds us that God is a God of order, fairness, and precision, and He desires that our lives reflect these attributes in our walk with Him. Furthermore, the concept of "estimation" and "redemption" prompts us to consider our own value not in worldly terms, but in God's eyes. We are not valued by human tariffs or societal standards, but by the infinite price paid for our redemption, which dedicates us to His service and glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How seriously do I take my commitments and promises, especially those made to God in prayer or through spiritual disciplines?**
* **In what ways does God's meticulous order, as seen in these ancient laws, provide comfort or challenge in my understanding of His character and my daily life?**
* **How does the Old Testament concept of a fixed "estimation" for redemption deepen my appreciation for the immeasurable "price" paid for my redemption in Christ, and how does that influence my sense of worth and purpose?**

### FAQ
**Why did the values differ by age and gender in these estimations?**

Answer: The differing values were not a reflection of a person's intrinsic spiritual worth or dignity, which is equal for all before God. Instead, they were practical considerations based on the societal and economic roles in ancient Israel. Men generally performed heavier physical labor and were considered the primary providers, thus having a higher "productive capacity" in an agrarian society. The valuations reflected these differentiated contributions for the purpose of a fixed redemption tariff, not a judgment on inherent human value.

**What was the primary purpose of these "estimations" for dedicated persons?**

Answer: The main purpose of these "estimations" was to provide a fixed, divinely ordained tariff for redeeming a person or item that had been vowed to the Lord. This system ensured fairness, prevented arbitrary pricing, and underscored the sacredness of the vow itself. It allowed for a mechanism to release a person from a vow of dedication while still acknowledging God's ownership and the solemnity of the commitment made to Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Levitical system of "estimation" and redemption, though dealing with monetary tariffs for dedicated persons, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and perfect redemption found in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament law established a fixed price for human redemption from a vow, but this was a shadow pointing to a far greater reality. We, humanity, are inherently "dedicated" to God by creation, yet we are fallen and enslaved by sin, unable to pay our own "estimation" or redemption price. Jesus Christ, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), is the one true and infinite "estimation" for our redemption. We are not bought back with perishable things like silver or gold shekels, but with the [precious blood of Christ](/1_peter/1-18 "1 Peter 1:18 - Redeemed by Precious Blood"), as of a lamb without blemish or spot. His sacrifice on the cross is the [ultimate and once-for-all payment](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Sacrifice for Eternal Redemption"), far exceeding any earthly valuation. Through His work, we are not merely redeemed from a vow but from the bondage of sin and death, becoming [God's treasured possession](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood") and a people dedicated to Him, not by our own imperfect vows but by His perfect grace and love, fulfilling the spirit of dedication and redemption in a new and eternal covenant.

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.