Leviticus 27:1-8

What happens when a vow involves the value of a person?

Berean Standard Bible

1 Then the LORD said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them, ‘When someone makes a special vow to the LORD involving the value of persons, 3 if the valuation concerns a male from twenty to sixty years of age, then your valuation shall be fifty shekels of silver, according to the sanctuary shekel. 4 Or if it is a female, then your valuation shall be thirty shekels. 5 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. 6 Now if the person is from one month to five years of age, then your valuation for the male shall be five shekels of silver, and for the female three shekels of silver. 7 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. 8 But if the one making the vow is too poor to pay the valuation, he is to present the person before the priest, who shall set the value according to what the one making the vow can afford.

What is the context?

The final chapter regulates a special vow through a stated schedule of silver valuations. The amounts vary with age and sex. If the person making the vow is too poor, the priest sets an amount according to what that person can afford.

The paragraph concerns the obligation arising from a vow. It does not state that the listed amounts measure a person’s worth before God, nor does it command sacrificing the people being valued. The provision for poverty belongs to the rule itself.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley connects the amounts with strength and service, treating them as a valuation for the vow. That is his explanation for the differences, not a medical measure supplied by the passage. Ecclesiastes 5:1–7 also treats promises to God as serious and warns against making one carelessly and then failing to fulfill it.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

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