Valuation and Redemption of Vowed Animals
What is vowed to the Lord becomes holy and must be treated according to His established order.
Leviticus 27:9-13 (BSB)
9 If he vows an animal that may be brought as an offering to the LORD, any such animal given to the LORD shall be holy.
10 He must not replace it or exchange it, either good for bad or bad for good. But if he does substitute one animal for another, both that animal and its substitute will be holy.
11 But if the vow involves any of the unclean animals that may not be brought as an offering to the LORD, the animal must be presented before the priest.
12 The priest shall set its value, whether high or low; as the priest values it, the price will be set.
13 If, however, the owner decides to redeem the animal, he must add a fifth to its value.
What is the big idea of Leviticus 27:9-13?
What is vowed to the LORD becomes holy and must be treated according to His established order.
How does Leviticus 27:9-13 point to Christ?
This passage shows that what is set apart for God is holy and that redemption involves real cost within God’s ordered system.
How does Leviticus 27:9-13 relate to the life and ministry of Jesus?
The passage does not directly describe Jesus’ earthly ministry. Canonically, it contributes to the larger pattern that offerings to God must be without manipulation and that what is devoted to Him is holy. Christ later exposes religious evasions and fulfills the sacrificial system as the holy, acceptable offering given wholly to God.
Authorial Intent
This passage regulates how animals dedicated to the LORD by vow are to be treated, distinguishing between clean animals suitable for sacrifice and unclean animals requiring redemption.
Questions for Reflection
- What does this passage teach about the seriousness of dedicating something to God?
- Why is substitution prohibited in vowed offerings?
- How does the added cost in redemption shape our understanding of devotion?
- What principles here apply to modern commitments made to God?
Literary Context
Leviticus 27:9-13 follows the valuation of persons involved in special vows. The chapter now moves from persons to animals, distinguishing animals acceptable as offerings from unclean animals that cannot be offered on the altar but may still enter the dedication-and-redemption system under priestly valuation.
Historical Context
Israel is at Sinai receiving final Levitical regulations concerning vows, dedications, redemption, and holy things. Israelites who might dedicate animals to the LORD by vow, along with priests responsible for evaluating dedicated animals.
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.