Leviticus

Leviticus 27:14-15

What is devoted to the Lord is holy and may only be reclaimed through an ordered and costly redemption.

Leviticus 27:14-15 (WEB)

14 “ ‘When a man dedicates his house to be holy to Yahweh, then the priest shall evaluate it, whether it is good or bad. As the priest evaluates it, so it shall stand.

15 If he who dedicates it will redeem his house, then he shall add the fifth part of the money of your valuation to it, and it shall be his.

Central Idea

What is devoted to the LORD is holy and may only be reclaimed through an ordered and costly redemption.

Authorial Intent

This passage regulates the dedication of houses to the LORD, establishing priestly valuation and a structured process for redemption.

Literary Context

Leviticus 27:14-15 follows the regulations for animals dedicated by vow. The chapter continues to move through categories of vowed or dedicated things: persons, animals, houses, fields, firstborn, devoted things, and tithes. This unit addresses houses, placing domestic property under priestly valuation when it is consecrated to the LORD.

Historical Context

Israel is at Sinai receiving final regulations concerning vows, dedications, valuations, redemptions, and holy things. Israelites who might consecrate a house to the LORD and priests who administer valuation.

Chapter: Leviticus 27

Vows, Valuations, Dedications, Devoted Things, Firstborn, and Tithes Belonging to the LORD

Voluntary devotion to the LORD must not be impulsive, manipulative, or casual, because persons, animals, houses, fields, firstborn, devoted things, and tithes are holy when given to the LORD and must be handled according to His command.