LEV 27

Leviticus 27:28

WEB

“‘Notwithstanding, no devoted thing that a man devotes to Yahweh of all that he has, whether of man or animal, or of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed. Everything that is permanently devoted is most holy to Yahweh.

BSB

Nothing that a man sets apart to the LORD from all he owns—whether a man, an animal, or his inherited land—can be sold or redeemed; everything so devoted is most holy to the LORD.

KJV

Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall devote unto the LORD of all that he hath, both of man and beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed: every devoted thing is most holy unto the LORD.

Matthew Henry

Verses 26–34

Leviticus 27:26–34

Here is, I. A caution given that no man should make such a jest of sanctifying things to the Lord as to sanctify any firstling to him, for that was his already by the law, Lev 27:26. Though the matter of a general vow be that which we were before obliged to, as of our sacramental covenant, yet a singular vow should be of that which we were not, in such circumstances and proportions, antecedently bound to. The law concerning the firstlings of unclean beasts (Lev 27:27) is the same with that before, Lev 27:11, Lev 27:12.

II. Things or persons devoted are here distinguished from things or persons that were only sanctified. 1. Devoted things were most holy to the Lord, and could neither revert nor be alienated, Lev 27:28. They were of the same nature with those sacrifices which were called most holy, which none might touch but only the priests themselves. The difference between these and other sanctified things arose from the different expression of the vow. If a man dedicated any thing to God, binding himself with a solemn curse never to alienate it to any other purpose, then it was a thing devoted. 2. Devoted persons were to be put to death, Lev 27:29. Not that it was in the power of any parent or master thus to devote a child or a servant to death; but it must be meant of the public enemies of Israel, who, either by the appointment of God or by the sentence of the congregation, were devoted, as the seven nations with which they must make no league. The city of Jericho in particular was thus devoted, Jos 6:17. The inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead were put to death for violating the curse pronounced upon those who came not up to Mizpeh, Jdg 21:9, Jdg 21:10. Some think it was for want of being rightly informed of the true intent and meaning of this law that Jephtha sacrificed his daughter as one devoted, who might not be redeemed.

III. A law concerning tithes, which were paid for the service of God before the law, as appears by Abraham's payment of them, (Gen 14:20), and Jacob's promise of them, Gen 28:22. It is here appointed, 1. That they should pay tithe of all their increase, their corn, trees, and cattle, Lev 27:30, Lev 27:32. Whatsoever productions they had the benefit of God must be honoured with the tithe of, if it were titheable. Thus they acknowledged God to be the owner of their land, the giver of its fruits, and themselves to be his tenants, and dependents upon him. Thus they gave him thanks for the plenty they enjoyed, and supplicated his favour in the continuance of it. And we are taught in general to honour the Lord with our substance (Pro 3:9), and in particular to support and maintain his ministers, and to be ready to communicate to them, Gal 6:6; Co1 9:11. And how this may be done in a fitter and more equal proportion than that of the tenth, which God himself appointed of old, I cannot see. 2. That which was once marked for tithe should not be altered, no, not for a better (Lev 27:33), for Providence directed the rod that marked it. God would accept it though it were not the best, and they must not grudge it though it were, for it was what passed under the rod. 3. That it should not be redeemed, unless the owner would give a fifth part more for its ransom, Lev 27:31. If men had the curiosity to prefer what was marked for tithe before any other part of their increase, it was fit that they should pay for their curiosity.

IV. The last verse seems to have reference to this whole book of which it is the conclusion: These are the commandments which the Lord commanded Moses, for the children of Israel. Many of these commandments are moral, and of perpetual obligation; others of them, which were ceremonial and peculiar to the Jewish economy, have notwithstanding a spiritual significancy, and are instructive to us who are furnished with a key to let us into the mysteries contained in them; for unto us, by those institutions, is the gospel preached as well as unto them, Heb 4:2. Upon the whole matter, we may see cause to bless God that we have not come to mount Sinai, Heb 12:18. 1. That we are not under the dark shadows of the law, but enjoy the clear light of the gospel, which shows us Christ the end of the law for righteousness, Rom 10:4. The doctrine of our reconciliation to God by a Mediator is not clouded with the smoke of burning sacrifices, but cleared by the knowledge of Christ and him crucified. 2. That we are not under the heavy yoke of the law, and the carnal ordinances of it (as the apostle calls them, Heb 9:10), imposed till the time of reformation, a yoke which neither they nor their fathers were able to bear (Act 15:10), but under the sweet and easy institutions of the gospel, which pronounces those the true worshippers that worship the Father in spirit and truth, by Christ only, and in his name, who is our priest, temple, altar, sacrifice, purification, and all. Let us not therefore think that because we are not tied to the ceremonial cleansings, feasts, and oblations, a little care, time, and expense, will serve to honour God with. No, but rather have our hearts more enlarge with free-will offerings to his praise, more inflamed with holy love and joy, and more engaged in seriousness of thought and sincerity of intention. Having boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, let us draw near with a true heart, and full assurance of faith, worshipping God with so much the more cheerfulness and humble confidence, still saying, Blessed be God for Jesus Christ!

Cross-references: Lev 27:26 · Lev 27:27 · Lev 27:11 · Lev 27:12 · Lev 27:28 · Lev 27:29 · Josh 6:17 · Judg 21:9 · Judg 21:10 · Gen 14:20 · Gen 28:22 · Lev 27:30 · Lev 27:32 · Prov 3:9 · Gal 6:6 · 1Cor 9:11 · Lev 27:33 · Lev 27:31 · Heb 4:2 · Heb 12:18 · Rom 10:4 · Heb 9:10 · Acts 15:10

Hebrew interlinear

ל֗וֹloprep + suffix · pronominal · 3rd · masc · sing

H389

אַךְʼak/ak/

adv — affirmation, surely, only

Derivation: akin to 403;

a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only

KJV: also, in any wise, at least, but, certainly, even, howbeit, nevertheless, notwithstanding, only, save, surely, of a surety, truly, verily, wherefore, yet (but).

אַךְ

adv — surely

אַךְ 159 adv. 1. surely. 2. with a restrictive force, emphasizing what follows

H3605

כֹּלkôl/kole/

n-m — whole, all, any, every

Derivation: or (Jeremiah 33:8) כּוֹל; from 3634;

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever).

כֹּל

n.m — the whole

כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all

1. with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every

2. Absolutely:

a. without the art., all things, all

b. with the art. הַכֹּל

(a). where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned

(b). in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)

H2764

חֵרֶםchêrem/khay'-rem/

n-m — net, doomed object, extermination

Derivation: or (Zechariah 14:11) חֶרֶם; from 2763;

physical (as shutting in) a net (either literally or figuratively); usually a doomed object; abstractly extermination

KJV: (ac-) curse(-d, -d thing), dedicated thing, things which should have been utterly destroyed, (appointed to) utter destruction, devoted (thing), net.

חֵ֫רֶם

n.m — devoted thing

חֵ֫רֶם n.m.

1. devoted thing.

2. devotion, ban

חֵ֫רֶם

n.m — net

חֵ֫רֶם n.m. net (as something perforated)

H834

אֲשֶׁרʼăsher/ash-er'/

r — who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

Derivation: a primitive relative pronoun (of every gender and number);

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.

KJV: × after, × alike, as (soon as), because, × every, for, + forasmuch, + from whence, + how(-soever), × if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), × though, + until, + whatsoever, when, where (+ -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, + whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection.

אֲשֶׁר

part. of relation — who

אֲשֶׁר part. of relation A sign of relation, bringing the clause introduced by it into relation with an antecedent clause.

בַאֲשֶׁר

adv — in which

בַאֲשֶׁר

a. in (that) which

b. adv. in (the place) where

c. conj. in that, inasmuch as

d. on account of whom?

כַּאֲשֶׁר

conj — according as

כַּאֲשֶׁר conj. according as, as, when

1. according to that which, according as, as

2. with a causal force, in so far as, since

3. with a temporal force, when

מֵאֲשֶׁר

adv — who

מֵאֲשֶׁר

a. from (or than) that which

b. adv. from (the place) where

c. conj. from (the fact) that …, since

H2763

חָרַםchâram/khaw-ram'/

v — seclude, devote to religious uses, be blunt as to the nose

Derivation: a primitive root;

to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction); physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose

KJV: make accursed, consecrate, (utterly) destroy, devote, forfeit, have a flat nose, utterly (slay, make away).

חָרַם

vb — ban

[חָרַם] vb. Hiph. ban, devote, exterminate

Hiph. ban, devote

Hoph.

1. be put under the ban, devoted (to death)

2. devoted, i.e. forfeited, to the temple treasures

חָרַם

vb — slit

[חָרַם] vb. slit (nose, lip, ear, etc.), mutilate esp. face—Qal Lv 21:18 (H)

H376

אִישׁʼîysh/eesh/

n-m — man

Derivation: contracted for 582 (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant);

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), none, one, people, person, steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare 802.

אִישׁ

n.m — man

אִישׁ 2166 n.m. man (= vir)

H3068

יְהֹוָהYᵉhôvâh/yeh-ho-vaw'/

n-pr — Existent, Jeho-vah

Derivation: from 1961;

(the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God

KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.

יהוה

n.pr.dei — God

יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)

I. יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb

II.

1. יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D

2. the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy

3. יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh

H120

אָדָםʼâdâm/aw-dawm'/

n-m — ruddy, human being, mankind

Derivation: from 119;

ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

KJV: × another, hypocrite, common sort, × low, man (mean, of low degree), person.

אָדָם

n.m — Adam

אָדָם 560 n.m. Gn 1:27 man, mankind

1. a man = human being

2. coll. man, mankind

3. n.pr.m. Adam, first man (without art.)

4. n.pr.loc. city in Jordan valley (as built?)

H929

בְּהֵמָהbᵉhêmâh/be-hay-maw'/

n-f — dumb, animal

Derivation: from an unused root (probably meaning to be mute);

properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)

KJV: beast, cattle.

בְּהֵמָה

n.f — beast

בְּהֵמָה 187 n.f. beast, animal, cattle

1. of living creatures other than man

2. opp. also to wild beasts

3. rarely of wild beasts, esp. carnivora

H7704

שָׂדֶהsâdeh/saw-deh'/

n-m — field

Derivation: or שָׂדַי; from an unused root meaning to spread out;

a field (as flat)

KJV: country, field, ground, land, soil, × wild.

שָׂדֶה

n.m — field

שָׂדֶה 819 n.m. id. [u.ak.ab] (ordinary contr. form)

1. open field, country

2. definite portion of ground, field, land

3. land, opp. sea

שָׂדַי

n.m — field

שָׂדַי n.m. field, land

1. cultivated field

2. home of wild beasts

3. plain, opp. mt.

4. land, opp. sea

H272

אֲחֻזָּהʼăchuzzâh/akh-ooz-zaw'/

n-f — seized, possession

Derivation: feminine passive participle from 270;

something seized, i.e. a possession (especially of land)

KJV: possession.

אֲחֻזָּה

n.f — possession

אֲחֻזָּה 66 n.f. possession

H3808

לֹאlôʼ/lo/

adv — not, no

Derivation: or לוֹא; or לֹה; (Deuteronomy 3:11), a primitive particle;

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

KJV: × before, or else, ere, except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (× as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, surely, as truly as, of a truth, verily, for want, whether, without.

לֹא

adv — not

לֹא or לוֹא adv. not

H4376

מָכַרmâkar/maw-kar'/

v — sell, surrender

Derivation: a primitive root;

to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender)

KJV: × at all, sell (away, -er, self).

מָכַר

vb — sell

מָכַר vb. sell

Qal sell

Niph. be sold

Hithp. sell oneself as slave

H1350

גָּאַלgâʼal/gaw-al'/

v — redeem, be the next of kin, buy back, marry

Derivation: a primitive root,

to redeem (according to the Oriental law of kinship), i.e. to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his widow, etc.)

KJV: × in any wise, × at all, avenger, deliver, (do, perform the part of near, next) kinsfolk(-man), purchase, ransom, redeem(-er), revenger.

גְּאוּלַי

n. abstr — redemption

גְּאוּלַי Is 63:4, n. abstr. redemption

גָּאַל

vb — redeem

גָּאַל vb. redeem, act as kinsman

Qal

1. act as kinsman, do the part of next of kin

2. redeem, by payment of value assessed

3. redeem, with God as subj. implying personal relationship

Niph

1. refl. redeem oneself

2. pass. be redeemed

H6944

קֹדֶשׁqôdesh/ko'-desh/

n-m — sacred, sanctity

Derivation: from 6942;

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

KJV: consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness, (× most) holy (× day, portion, thing), saint, sanctuary.

קֹ֫דֶשׁ

n.m — apartness

קֹ֫דֶשׁ 469 n.m. apartness, sacredness

H1931

הוּאhûwʼ/hoo/

p — he, she, it, self, same, this, that, as, are

Derivation: of which the feminine (beyond the Pentateuch) is הִיא; he a primitive word, the third person pronoun singular;

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are

KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who.

הוּא

m — he

הוּא m. הִיא f., pron. of the 3rd ps. sing. he, she, used also (in both genders) for the neuter it

1. an emph. he (she, it, they), sometimes equivalent to himself (herself, itself, themselves), or (esp. with the art.) that (those)

2. It resumes the subj. with emph.

3. Where, however, the pron. follows the pred., its position gives it the minimum of emphasis, and it expresses (or resumes) the subject as unobtrusively as possible

4. It anticipates (as it seems) the subject

5. As an emph. predicate, of God

6. In a neuter sense, that, it (of an action, occurrence, matte, etc.)

7. With the art.: so regularly when joined to a subst. defined itself by the art.

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