Leviticus 27:7

KJV

And if [it be] from sixty years old and above; if [it be] a male, then thy estimation shall be fifteen shekels, and for the female ten shekels.

KJV (with Strong's)

And if it be from sixty {H8346} years {H8141} old {H1121} and above {H4605}; if it be a male {H2145}, then thy estimation {H6187} shall be fifteen {H2568}{H6240} shekels {H8255}, and for the female {H5347} ten {H6235} shekels {H8255}.

Complete Jewish Bible

if a person past sixty, fifteen shekels for a man and ten for a woman.

Berean Standard Bible

And if the person is sixty years of age or older, then your valuation shall be fifteen shekels for the male and ten shekels for the female.

American Standard Version

And if it be from sixty years old and upward; if it be a male, then thy estimation shall be fifteen shekels, and for the female ten shekels.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 27:7 outlines the specific monetary valuation for individuals aged sixty years and above who were dedicated to the Lord under a vow, and subsequently redeemed. For a male in this age group, the redemption value was set at fifteen shekels of silver, while for a female, it was ten shekels. This particular regulation is part of a broader system of fixed valuations for persons, animals, and property, reflecting a practical and orderly framework for honoring voluntary commitments made to God within the Israelite covenant community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 27 serves as the concluding chapter of the book of Leviticus, shifting focus from the detailed laws of sacrifice, purity, and festivals to the regulations concerning vows and dedications made to the Lord. This chapter provides a legal framework for voluntary commitments, where individuals might dedicate themselves, family members, animals, or property to God. While these items or persons were consecrated, the law often provided a mechanism for their redemption through a monetary payment. Verse 7 specifically falls within the opening section of the chapter ([Leviticus 27:1-8](/leviticus/27-1 "Leviticus 27:1-8 - Valuation of Persons")), which meticulously details the fixed valuations for human beings dedicated to God, varying according to age and gender. It follows the valuations for younger adults (e.g., [Leviticus 27:3](/leviticus/27-3 "Leviticus 27:3 - Valuation for 20-60 year olds")) and precedes the laws concerning dedicated animals and property.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Vows were a significant aspect of religious life in ancient Israel and the broader Near East, representing solemn promises or commitments made to a deity, often in exchange for a blessing or as an act of devotion. In Israel, a vow might involve dedicating a person—whether oneself, a child, or a servant—to the Lord for service, typically within the tabernacle or temple. However, direct, lifelong service was not always feasible, so the Mosaic Law provided a structured system for monetary redemption. The valuations, such as those in [Leviticus 27:7](/leviticus/27-7 "Leviticus 27:7 - Valuation for the Elderly"), were not intended as a judgment on an individual's intrinsic human worth, but rather as a pragmatic assessment of their economic value in terms of labor or service capacity within an agrarian, communal society. The lower values assigned to the elderly (and children) compared to those in their prime working years (20-60), as seen in [Leviticus 27:3](/leviticus/27-3 "Leviticus 27:3 - Valuation for 20-60 year olds"), reflected their naturally diminished physical capacity for strenuous labor. The "shekel" was a standard unit of weight, typically of silver (around 11.5 grams), serving as a consistent and tangible currency for these transactions, ensuring fairness and order in the fulfillment of vows.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **estimation (Hebrew, _'erekh'_):** This term (עֶרֶךְ) signifies a fixed, set value, an assessment, or a valuation. It denotes a standard measure or price determined by divine law, rather than a subjective appraisal. In the context of Leviticus 27, it emphasizes the objective and orderly nature of God's regulations concerning vows and dedications, ensuring fairness and consistency across all transactions within the covenant community. It highlights that these were not arbitrary prices but divinely ordained standards.
* **shekels (Hebrew, _sheqel'_):** The shekel (שֶׁקֶל) was a fundamental unit of weight, primarily for silver, in the ancient Near East, typically around 11.5 grams. As a unit of currency, it provided a tangible and consistent measure for economic transactions, including the redemption of vowed persons or property. Its mention here underscores the practical, economic dimension of the Levitical laws, ensuring that the prescribed values were universally understood and applied, providing a concrete means of fulfilling a vow.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if [it be] from sixty years old and above;":** This clause specifies the age bracket for the individual being dedicated or redeemed. It marks the final and oldest age category in the valuation scheme presented in Leviticus 27, following infants, children, and prime adults. This particular age group would naturally have reduced physical strength and capacity for strenuous labor, which directly impacts the subsequent monetary valuation.
* **"if [it be] a male, then thy estimation shall be fifteen shekels,":** For a male aged sixty or older who was dedicated to the Lord, the fixed redemption value was set at fifteen shekels of silver. This figure is significantly lower than the fifty shekels prescribed for males aged 20-60, reflecting the diminished physical capacity associated with advanced age, particularly in a society heavily reliant on manual labor and physical contribution.
* **"and for the female ten shekels.":** Similarly, for a female aged sixty or older, the redemption value was ten shekels of silver. This value is proportionally lower than the male's in the same age group, and also lower than the thirty shekels for females aged 20-60. This distinction between male and female valuations, consistent throughout the chapter, likely reflects the differing societal roles and perceived economic contributions of men and women in ancient Israel, rather than any judgment on intrinsic worth.

#### Literary Devices
The passage primarily employs **Legal Prescription**, detailing specific rules and regulations for the redemption of vowed persons. This is characteristic of the book of Leviticus, which functions as a divine law code, providing precise instructions for Israel's worship and communal life. The use of specific numerical values (fifteen shekels, ten shekels) demonstrates **Precision** and **Quantification**, ensuring clarity and preventing ambiguity in transactions related to vows. This meticulous detail highlights the divine desire for order and fairness within the covenant community. Furthermore, the systematic categorization by age and gender throughout Leviticus 27 (e.g., [Leviticus 27:3](/leviticus/27-3 "Leviticus 27:3 - Valuation for 20-60 year olds"), [Leviticus 27:5](/leviticus/27-5 "Leviticus 27:5 - Valuation for 5-20 year olds")) exemplifies **Categorization** and **Systematization**, revealing a highly organized divine framework for managing religious commitments and their practical implications.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The detailed valuations in Leviticus 27, including those for the elderly, underscore several profound theological principles. First, they emphasize the **seriousness of vows** made to God; once a commitment was made, it carried a tangible, redeemable value, reflecting the binding nature of promises before the Almighty. Second, the system reveals God's **orderliness and justice**, providing clear, objective standards that prevented arbitrary assessments and ensured fairness for all members of the community, regardless of age or gender. Third, while the valuations were practical and economic, they subtly affirm that **every life stage has a place within the covenant community**, and that a means of dedication or redemption was available for all, demonstrating God's inclusive provision. The lower valuations for the elderly were not a devaluation of their inherent worth, but a pragmatic recognition of their physical capacity, a concept distinct from their spiritual or communal value.

* [Numbers 30:2](/numbers/30-2 "Numbers 30:2 - The Binding Nature of Vows")
* [Deuteronomy 23:21-23](/deuteronomy/23-21 "Deuteronomy 23:21-23 - Fulfilling Vows to the Lord")
* [Proverbs 16:31](/proverbs/16-31 "Proverbs 16:31 - Gray Hair as a Crown of Glory")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific laws of Leviticus 27:7 are no longer directly applicable to New Covenant believers, the underlying principles offer profound insights for contemporary faith. This passage challenges us to consider the gravity of our commitments, particularly those made to God. Do we treat our promises, whether formal vows or informal pledges of service and devotion, with the same seriousness that God's law once demanded? It also reminds us that God is a God of order and intention, who cares about the practicalities of life and seeks fairness in all dealings. Furthermore, the passage subtly prompts us to reflect on how we value individuals across different life stages. In a society that often equates worth with productivity, the Levitical valuations, while practical, did not negate the inherent value of the elderly. This should inspire us to honor and value all members of our community, recognizing that wisdom, experience, and spiritual maturity often deepen with age, contributing uniquely to the body of Christ. Our worth is not tied to our physical capacity or economic output, but to our identity as image-bearers of God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How seriously do I take my commitments, especially those made to God or in His name?**
* **In what ways can I better honor and value individuals of all ages within my community or church, particularly the elderly?**
* **How does the meticulous nature of God's laws in Leviticus inform my understanding of His character and His desire for order and justice in my own life?**

### FAQ
**Why were the valuations for the elderly lower than for younger adults?**

Answer: The lower valuations for individuals aged sixty and above, as seen in [Leviticus 27:7](/leviticus/27-7 "Leviticus 27:7 - Valuation for the Elderly"), were not a judgment on their intrinsic human worth or dignity. Instead, they reflected a pragmatic assessment of their diminished physical capacity for strenuous labor or service within an agrarian society. The system of valuations throughout [Leviticus 27](/leviticus/27 "Leviticus 27 - Laws Concerning Vows") was designed to provide a fair monetary equivalent for the *potential service* of a dedicated person, allowing for their redemption. As physical strength naturally wanes with age, their economic contribution in terms of labor was considered less than that of those in their prime working years (e.g., [Leviticus 27:3](/leviticus/27-3 "Leviticus 27:3 - Valuation for 20-60 year olds")). This was a practical, not a demeaning, distinction.

**Does this passage suggest that women were less valuable than men in ancient Israel?**

Answer: The differing valuations between males and females across all age groups in [Leviticus 27](/leviticus/27 "Leviticus 27 - Laws Concerning Vows"), including [Leviticus 27:7](/leviticus/27-7 "Leviticus 27:7 - Valuation for the Elderly"), do not indicate that women were considered inherently less valuable than men in God's eyes. Rather, these distinctions likely reflect the differing societal roles and economic contributions of men and women in ancient Israelite culture. Men were typically engaged in heavier manual labor and warfare, which had a higher economic valuation in that context. It's crucial to understand that these valuations were for *redemption purposes* based on perceived economic productivity or service capacity, not a reflection of a person's spiritual standing or inherent worth before God, which is equal for all. The Bible consistently affirms the dignity and value of both men and women as image-bearers of God (e.g., [Genesis 1:27](/genesis/1-27 "Genesis 1:27 - Creation of Man and Woman in God's Image")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Leviticus 27:7 details the practicalities of vows and redemption under the Old Covenant, it points us toward the ultimate fulfillment found in Christ. The system of valuation, where a dedicated person could be redeemed by a monetary payment, foreshadows the infinitely greater redemption accomplished by Jesus. We, who were once enslaved to sin and dedicated to its service, could not be redeemed by any amount of silver or gold, as [1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redemption by Precious Blood") powerfully declares. Instead, we have been redeemed "with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or spot." His perfect sacrifice on the cross paid the ultimate "estimation" for our lives, securing our freedom and adoption into God's family. Furthermore, the Old Covenant's pragmatic valuations based on physical capacity are transcended by Christ's radical inclusivity. In Him, our worth is not measured by age, gender, or productivity, but by our identity as beloved children of God, redeemed by grace through faith ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")). The elderly, the young, male and female, all are equally valued and made new in Christ, forming one body where every member, regardless of their perceived "economic" value, is indispensable and deeply cherished ([Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - No Distinction in Christ")). He is the true Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), fulfilling every shadow of redemption found in the law.

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

Psalms 90:10

The days of our years [are] threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength [they be] fourscore years, yet [is] their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.