Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘If anyone makes a special vow to dedicate a person to the LORD by giving the equivalent value, New Living Translation “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. If anyone makes a special vow to dedicate someone to the LORD by paying the value of that person, English Standard Version “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, If anyone makes a special vow to the LORD involving the valuation of persons, Berean Standard Bible “Speak to the Israelites and say to them, ‘When someone makes a special vow to the LORD involving the value of persons, King James Bible Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When a man shall make a singular vow, the persons shall be for the LORD by thy estimation. New King James Version “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When a man consecrates by a vow certain persons to the LORD, according to your valuation, New American Standard Bible “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When someone makes an explicit vow, he shall be valued according to your assessment of persons belonging to the LORD. NASB 1995 “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When a man makes a difficult vow, he shall be valued according to your valuation of persons belonging to the LORD. NASB 1977 “Speak to the sons of Israel, and say to them, ‘When a man makes a difficult vow, he shall be valued according to your valuation of persons belonging to the LORD. Legacy Standard Bible “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When a man makes a difficult vow, he shall be valued according to your valuation of persons belonging to Yahweh. Amplified Bible “Speak to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘When a man makes a special vow [consecrating himself or a member of his family], he shall be valued according to your [established system of] valuation of people belonging to the LORD [that is, the priest accepts from the man making the vow a specified amount of money for the temple treasury in place of the actual person]. Christian Standard Bible “Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When someone makes a special vow to the LORD that involves the assessment of people, Holman Christian Standard Bible Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When someone makes a special vow to the LORD that involves the assessment of people, American Standard Version Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When a man shall accomplish a vow, the persons shall be for Jehovah by thy estimation. Contemporary English Version to say to the community of Israel: If you ever want to free someone who has been promised to me, English Revised Version Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When a man shall accomplish a vow, the persons shall be for the LORD by thy estimation. GOD'S WORD® Translation "Tell the Israelites: If any of you makes a special vow [to give a person] to the LORD, you may give money instead of the person. Good News Translation the following regulations for the people of Israel. When any of you have been given to the LORD in fulfillment of a special vow, you may be set free by the payment of the following sums of money, International Standard Version "Tell the Israelis that when a person makes a special vow based on the appropriate value of people who belong to the LORD, NET Bible "Speak to the Israelites and tell them, 'When a man makes a special votive offering based on the conversion value of persons to the LORD, New Heart English Bible "Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, 'When a man makes a vow, the persons shall be for the LORD by your valuation. Webster's Bible Translation Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, When a man shall make a singular vow, the persons shall be for the LORD, by thy estimation. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“Speak to the Israelites and say to them, ‘When someone makes a special vow to the LORD involving the value of persons, World English Bible “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, ‘When a man consecrates a person to Yahweh in a vow, according to your valuation, Literal Translations Literal Standard Version“Speak to the sons of Israel, and you have said to them: When a man makes a special vow in your valuation of persons to YHWH, Young's Literal Translation Speak unto the sons of Israel, and thou hast said unto them, When a man maketh a wonderful vow, by thy valuation the persons are Jehovah's. Smith's Literal Translation Speak to the sons of Israel, and say to them, When a man shall separate a vow by thy estimation, the souls for Jehovah. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleSpeak to the children of Israel, and thou shalt say to them: The man that shall have made a vow, and promised his soul to God, shall give the price according to estimation. Catholic Public Domain Version Speak to the sons of Israel, and you shall say to them: The man who will have made a vow and espoused his soul to God shall give the price according to the estimation. New American Bible Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When anyone makes a vow to the LORD with respect to the value of a human being, New Revised Standard Version Speak to the people of Israel and say to them: When a person makes an explicit vow to the LORD concerning the equivalent for a human being, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleSpeak to the children of Israel and say to them. When a man makes a special vow with the price of persons to the LORD, Peshitta Holy Bible Translated “Speak with the children of Israel and say to them: ‘When a man dedicates a vow with the price of persons to LORD JEHOVAH. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them: When a man shall clearly utter a vow of persons unto the LORD, according to thy valuation, Brenton Septuagint Translation Speak to the children of Israel, and thou shalt say to them, Whosoever shall vow a vow as the valuation of his soul for the Lord, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Rules about Valuations1Then 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, 3if 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.… Cross References Numbers 30:2 If a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word; he must do everything he has promised. Deuteronomy 23:21-23 If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to keep it, because He will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. / But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty of sin. / Be careful to follow through on what comes from your lips, because you have freely vowed to the LORD your God with your own mouth. Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow. / It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. Judges 11:30-31 Jephthah made this vow to the LORD: “If indeed You will deliver the Ammonites into my hand, / then whatever comes out the door of my house to greet me on my triumphant return from the Ammonites will belong to the LORD, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.” 1 Samuel 1:11 And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.” 2 Kings 12:4 Then Joash said to the priests, “Collect all the money brought as sacred gifts into the house of the LORD—the census money, the money from vows, and the money brought voluntarily into the house of the LORD. 2 Chronicles 29:31 Then Hezekiah said, “Now that you have consecrated yourselves to the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings to the house of the LORD.” So the assembly brought sacrifices and thank offerings, and all whose hearts were willing brought burnt offerings. Psalm 50:14 Sacrifice a thank offering to God, and fulfill your vows to the Most High. Psalm 76:11 Make and fulfill your vows to the LORD your God; let all the neighboring lands bring tribute to Him who is to be feared. Jonah 2:9 But I, with the voice of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to You. I will fulfill what I have vowed. Salvation is from the LORD!” Matthew 5:33-37 Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ / But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; / or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ... Acts 18:18 Paul remained in Corinth for quite some time before saying goodbye to the brothers. He had his head shaved in Cenchrea to keep a vow he had made, and then he sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Acts 21:23-24 Therefore do what we advise you. There are four men with us who have taken a vow. / Take these men, purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know that there is no truth to these rumors about you, but that you also live in obedience to the law. Romans 12:1 Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 Now about the collection for the saints, you are to do as I directed the churches of Galatia: / On the first day of every week, each of you should set aside a portion of his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will be needed. Treasury of Scripture Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, When a man shall make a singular vow, the persons shall be for the LORD by your estimation. When Genesis 28:20-22 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, … Numbers 6:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the LORD: Numbers 21:2 And Israel vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities. Leviticus 7:16 But if the sacrifice of his offering be a vow, or a voluntary offering, it shall be eaten the same day that he offereth his sacrifice: and on the morrow also the remainder of it shall be eaten: Ecclesiastes 5:4,5 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed… Jump to Previous Accomplish Belonging Children Clearly Decision Dedicate Devoteth Difficult Equivalent Estimation Israel Israelites Makes Oath Persons Singular Speak Special Utter Valuation Valued VowJump to Next Accomplish Belonging Children Clearly Decision Dedicate Devoteth Difficult Equivalent Estimation Israel Israelites Makes Oath Persons Singular Speak Special Utter Valuation Valued VowLeviticus 27 1. He who makes a singular vow must be the Lord's3. The estimation of the person 9. of a beast given by vow 14. of a house 16. of a field, and the redemption thereof 28. No devoted thing may be redeemed 30. The tithe may not be changed Speak to the Israelites This phrase establishes the audience as the Israelites, God's chosen people, who were delivered from Egypt and given the Law at Mount Sinai. The Israelites are the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and they are in a covenant relationship with God. This covenant is central to their identity and their understanding of God's promises and expectations. The instruction to "speak" indicates the importance of communication and the role of Moses as a mediator between God and His people. and say to them ‘When someone makes a special vow to the LORD involving the value of persons, Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, to whom the laws and commandments were given through Moses. They are the primary audience of the instructions in Leviticus. 2. Moses The prophet and leader of the Israelites, who received the laws from God and communicated them to the people. 3. The LORD (Yahweh) The covenant God of Israel, who is the recipient of the vows made by the Israelites. 4. Vows A solemn promise or commitment made to God, often involving a pledge of a person or an offering. 5. Valuation of Persons The specific focus of this verse, referring to the monetary value assigned to individuals when they are dedicated to the LORD through a vow. Teaching Points The Seriousness of VowsVows made to God are not to be taken lightly. They represent a serious commitment and should be made with careful consideration and intention to fulfill them. Understanding the Value of Dedication The valuation of persons in vows reflects the importance of dedicating oneself or others to God. It underscores the principle that our lives and commitments have intrinsic value in the eyes of God. Integrity in Our Commitments As believers, we are called to be people of integrity. Our commitments, whether formal vows or everyday promises, should be honored as acts of worship and obedience to God. Reflecting on Our Offerings to God Consider what we are dedicating to God in our lives. Are we offering our best, and are we doing so with a willing and sincere heart? Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Leviticus 27:2?2. What does Leviticus 27:2 teach about making vows to the Lord? 3. How can we apply the concept of vows in our daily lives today? 4. What other scriptures emphasize the importance of keeping promises to God? 5. How does understanding Leviticus 27:2 deepen our commitment to God? 6. In what ways can we ensure our vows align with God's will? 7. What is the significance of making a special vow in Leviticus 27:2? 8. How does Leviticus 27:2 relate to the concept of holiness in the Bible? 9. Why were vows important in ancient Israelite culture according to Leviticus 27:2? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 27? 11. What is a votive offering? 12. Leviticus 27:2–4: Why does the text assign different monetary values to men and women, implying unequal worth? 13. What is a votive offering? 14. What are the Bible's teachings on shaving? What Does Leviticus 27:2 Mean Speak to the Israelites• God’s first words ground the instruction in covenant identity. He is addressing those who have already been redeemed from Egypt (Leviticus 1:2; Exodus 19:4-6), reminding them that holiness grows out of relationship. • This communal address stresses that vows are not merely private deals; they affect the life and worship of the whole nation (Joshua 7:1; 1 Corinthians 12:26). • Because the Lord speaks, the people are obligated to listen and obey (Deuteronomy 6:3; James 1:22). and say to them • Moses is commanded both to hear and to relay. Revelation is never meant to stay bottled up (Exodus 34:32; Matthew 28:20). • The phrase underscores that Scripture carries divine, not human, authority; what follows is not suggestion but binding truth (2 Timothy 3:16; John 12:49-50). • In every generation the church continues this pattern—receiving God’s Word and passing it on intact (2 Thessalonians 2:15). When someone makes a special vow • A “vow” is a voluntary pledge that goes beyond routine offerings (Numbers 30:2; Psalm 56:12). It is “special” because it sets something—or someone—apart in dedication. • Such vows spring from gratitude, desperation, or devotion but are never to be made lightly (Deuteronomy 23:21-23; Ecclesiastes 5:4-5). • Jesus affirms the seriousness of vows in His warning against careless oaths (Matthew 5:33-37). to the LORD • The vow is directed exclusively to Yahweh, highlighting His sole right to worship and allegiance (Isaiah 45:23; Jonah 2:9). • Paying a vow “to the LORD” recognizes His ownership of all we possess, including ourselves (1 Chronicles 29:14; Romans 12:1). • Any attempt to dedicate something to God while reserving ultimate control for ourselves—Ananias-and-Sapphira style—is sin (Acts 5:1-4). involving the value of persons • The chapter immediately assigns fixed valuations by age and sex (Leviticus 27:3-8). These serve as redemption prices if the vowed person must be released from direct service. • God is not pricing human worth; He is providing an objective scale to prevent exploitation or rash over-commitment, ensuring fairness for rich and poor alike (Leviticus 27:8; Proverbs 22:2). • The principle foreshadows Christ, who pays the ultimate redemption price for every person, “not with silver or gold, but with His precious blood” (1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 Timothy 2:5-6). summary Leviticus 27:2 lays the groundwork for an orderly, God-centered approach to voluntary vows. The Lord speaks to His covenant people, calls them to listen, and provides clear guidelines so that devotion remains sincere, measured, and redemptive. Ultimately, every vow points to the greater reality that our lives already belong to Him who purchased us at incalculable cost. (2) Shall make a singular vow.--Better, shall consecrate a vow. (See Leviticus 22:21.) According to the interpretation of this phrase which obtained during the second Temple it denotes shall pronounce a vow. Hence the ancient Chaldee Versions render it, "shall distinctly pronounce a vow." Accordingly, no vow mentally made or conceived was deemed binding. It had to be distinctly pronounced in words. The form of the vow is nowhere given in the Bible. Like many other points of detail, the wording of it was left to the administrators of the law. They divided vows into two classes: (1) Positive vows, by which a man bound himself to consecrate for religious purposes his own person, those members of his family over whom he had control, or any portion of his property, and for this kind of vow the formula was "Behold I consecrate this to the Lord"; and (2) Negative vows, by which he promised to abstain from enjoying a certain thing, for which the formula was, "Such and such a thing be unlawful to me for so many days, weeks, or for ever."The persons shall be for the Lord by thy estimation.--Better, souls to the Lord according to thy estimation., that is, the vow consists of consecrating persons to the Lord with the intention of redeeming by money the persons thus consecrated, according to the valuation put upon them by Moses. This part of the verse explains the nature of the vow, and takes it for granted that by consecrating a human being to God by a vow is meant to substitute the money value for him. By the suffix, "thy estimation," Moses is meant, to whom these regulations are here Divinely communicated, and upon whom it devolved in the first instance to carry out the law. (See Leviticus 5:15; Leviticus 5:18.) During the second Temple any Israelite could estimate the money value of a person thus vowed to the Lord. Verse 2. - When a man shall make a singular vow, - literally, when a man shall separate a vow, that is, make a special vow (see Numbers 6:2) - the persons shall be for the Lord by thy estimation; that is, when a man has vowed himself or another person to the Lord, the priest shall declare the amount at which the person vowed is to be redeemed.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “Speakדַּבֵּ֞ר (dab·bêr) Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to the Israelites בְּנֵ֤י (bə·nê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son and say וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ (wə·’ā·mar·tā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to them, אֲלֵהֶ֔ם (’ă·lê·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to ‘When כִּ֥י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction someone אִ֕ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person makes a special יַפְלִ֖א (yap̄·li) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6381: To separate, distinguish, to be, great, difficult, wonderful vow נֶ֑דֶר (ne·ḏer) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5088: A promise, a thing promised to the LORD לַֽיהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel involving the value בְּעֶרְכְּךָ֥ (bə·‘er·kə·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 6187: A pile, equipment, estimate of persons, נְפָשֹׁ֖ת (nə·p̄ā·šōṯ) Noun - feminine plural Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion Links Leviticus 27:2 NIVLeviticus 27:2 NLT Leviticus 27:2 ESV Leviticus 27:2 NASB Leviticus 27:2 KJV Leviticus 27:2 BibleApps.com Leviticus 27:2 Biblia Paralela Leviticus 27:2 Chinese Bible Leviticus 27:2 French Bible Leviticus 27:2 Catholic Bible OT Law: Leviticus 27:2 Speak to the children of Israel (Le Lv Lev.) |
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