Leviticus 27:1-8
To consecrate by a vow was to demonstrate they were totally given to God. This was to commit a person to the service of the Lord or to commit the value of that person's service. To pay the valuation was the equivalent of that person's service. This was particularly good for those who wanted to show their commitment to the Lord but maybe weren't able to serve in the tabernacle for various reasons. This vow could be made by an individual or for another person. Hannah made this kind of vow in her anguish of not having a child:
Then she made a vow and said, "O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head." [NKJV (1 Sa 1:11). (1982). Thomas Nelson.]
See also Judges 11:30 for an example.
The valuation was based on four things:
- Age
- Gender
- Ability of a person to serve or work
- Ability to pay
The highest value would be placed on the male from 20 to 60. A woman of the same age was of lesser value because of the restrictions on her service, restrictions to service (there were places she was not allowed to go and chores she could not do), and possibly ability to pay. In general, the value was assigned by usefulness in an agricultural society. If someone was too poor to pay the valuation of the vow, they were to present themselves to the priest where a value would be set according to ability. This insured no one was excluded, but also that it was taken seriously.
These values were many times the annual wage of a laborer. This vow was probably not offered very often. If it was made, redemption was not likely made.
Leviticus 27:9-13
A vow could also be made to dedicate an animal to the Lord. It shall be consecrated as such and considered holy. It's telling of man's nature that the law has to state that you couldn't do a bait and switch; pledging a valuable animal and giving something of lesser value. If the pledge is of an unclean animal or one insufficient for sacrifice, then it is brought to the priest who sets a value on it. It could then be redeemed at the value plus 20 percent. An animal dedicated for sacrifice could not be redeemed.
Note: Some folks offered vows in front of people and then didn't want to live up to it. God charged a 20% penalty for broken vows. A vow was taken serious by the Lord.
Leviticus 27:14-15
If a home was in a walled city, it could be dedicated to the Lord. Homes on tribal land could not be sold or given away. They would always be returned in Jubilee. Homes in Levite cities could not be sold or given away. A value would be assigned to the home; this would only be important if the land were to be redeemed. Someone would have to give the value plus 20 percent.
Leviticus 27:16-25
A field dedicated to the Lord was valued by the seed it took to sow it and the years to Jubilee. A price of 50 shekels for a homer of seed was established. The redemption was then established by the years to Jubilee plus 20 percent. If the land is not redeemed, then it becomes holy to the Lord and is devoted to the Lord and possessed by the priests.
If someone dedicated a field they bought, then that field will return to the original owner on Jubilee.
Leviticus 27:26-27
The Lord claimed the firstborn in Exodus 13:2. Therefore, they were not to be dedicated in a vow, for they already were owned by the Lord. If the firstborn was an unclean animal, they it could be redeemed by value plus 20 percent. Unredeemed unclean animals were sold by the priest's valuation.
It's easy to see the power the priests had over this. It must have been a great temptation to these men. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. We get glimpses of the corruption all through the bible.
Leviticus 27:28-33
The term used for a devoted offering was 'cherem'; this was people or things designated as sacred to the Lord. Once this status is established, it could not be reversed. In a similar way, a person dedicated to destruction (same word cherem in negative connotation) due to sin was not redeemable, they were to be put to death.
See Joshua 7:1-26 where Achan violated the ban of the Lord and confiscated a Babylonian garment and 200 shekels of silver during the destruction of Jericho. This city and was dedicated the destruction in Joshua 6:17-19.
The tithe of the land was also already holy to the Lord (cherem). It could not be devoted. If someone wanted to redeem a tithe, they could pay the value plus 20 percent. Note that this was only on grain.
The tithe of the animals was every tenth animal under the shepherd's rod. That animal, good or bad is the Lord's. Any attempt to exchange it meant both the original and the exchanged animal were the Lord's. There was no redemption.
Leviticus 27:34
There's nothing fancy or flashy about the end of the book. It's strictly the facts; the law laid down by Moses for the children of Israel by the Lord. We must guard ourself because we live in a world where marketing strategies and presentation make all the difference. The value of this is not its presentation or flash, but the value of the One who gave it and the purpose He placed upon it.
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