This verse teaches that God’s people must treat their commitments seriously, reflecting a heart of integrity and reverence for the LORD.
Leviticus 27 details the laws for redeeming items or animals dedicated to the LORD, including unclean animals that could not be offered as sacrifices on the altar. In this verse, the text says, “But if it is among the unclean animals, then he shall redeem it according to your valuation, and add one-fifth of it; and if it is not redeemed, then it shall be sold according to your valuation” (v.27). These instructions likely came through Moses in the mid-fifteenth century BC, at a time when the Israelites were forming their national identity and learning how to worship and live under a covenant relationship with God. The requirement to add “one-fifth” (or twenty percent) upon redemption emphasized both the holiness of what was dedicated and the gravity of renegotiating a vow or offering. In cases where the owner chose not to redeem the animal, it was to be sold through the priests’ assessment, further ensuring that what was pledged to the LORD maintained its sacred value and purpose.
This verse underscores Israel’s practice of honoring vows to God with tangible offerings, even when the animals in question were considered unclean and therefore unsuited for sacrifice. It also illustrates an important principle of accountability, since the Israelite was obligated to either keep his original vow by releasing the animal for temple use under the priests’ direction or, if he wanted to reclaim it, pay extra for redeeming what he had formerly promised to the LORD. Such practices served to form a faithful community, teaching believers that their words and pledges carried significant weight before a holy God.
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Leviticus 27:27 meaning
Leviticus 27 details the laws for redeeming items or animals dedicated to the LORD, including unclean animals that could not be offered as sacrifices on the altar. In this verse, the text says, “But if it is among the unclean animals, then he shall redeem it according to your valuation, and add one-fifth of it; and if it is not redeemed, then it shall be sold according to your valuation” (v.27). These instructions likely came through Moses in the mid-fifteenth century BC, at a time when the Israelites were forming their national identity and learning how to worship and live under a covenant relationship with God. The requirement to add “one-fifth” (or twenty percent) upon redemption emphasized both the holiness of what was dedicated and the gravity of renegotiating a vow or offering. In cases where the owner chose not to redeem the animal, it was to be sold through the priests’ assessment, further ensuring that what was pledged to the LORD maintained its sacred value and purpose.
This verse underscores Israel’s practice of honoring vows to God with tangible offerings, even when the animals in question were considered unclean and therefore unsuited for sacrifice. It also illustrates an important principle of accountability, since the Israelite was obligated to either keep his original vow by releasing the animal for temple use under the priests’ direction or, if he wanted to reclaim it, pay extra for redeeming what he had formerly promised to the LORD. Such practices served to form a faithful community, teaching believers that their words and pledges carried significant weight before a holy God.