What does adding "a fifth" in Leviticus 27:19 reveal about God's justice? The Setting of Leviticus 27:19 Leviticus 27 closes the book by regulating voluntary vows. An Israelite could dedicate land to the LORD; if he later wanted it back, the priest set a fair market valuation. Scripture then states: “If, however, the one who dedicated the field wishes to redeem it, he must add a fifth to its value, and the field will revert to him.” (Leviticus 27:19) The added “fifth” (20 percent) sits at the heart of God-given justice in this passage. What “a fifth” Means • Fixed, objective surcharge—roughly 20 percent • Applied uniformly; no favoritism for rich or poor (cf. Leviticus 19:15) • Guarded the worship economy so vows could not be manipulated for profit • Signaled that holy things carry greater worth than ordinary possessions Justice Reflected in the Requirement • Accountability—Keeping a vow mattered; backing out had a measurable cost. • Restitution plus—God’s justice restores what was taken and then some (Leviticus 6:4-5). • Deterrent—The surcharge discouraged rash promises (Ecclesiastes 5:4-6). • Protection of communal equity—Priests who relied on dedicated property were compensated for its temporary loss. • Affirmation of God’s ownership—The field was already the Lord’s; redeeming it acknowledged His prior claim (Psalm 24:1). • Mercy within justice—Redemption remained possible. God balanced strictness with an open door to return (Isaiah 55:7). Echoes in the Rest of Scripture • Numbers 5:5-7—A guilty party “must add a fifth” when making restitution, underlining the consistency of God’s standard. • Leviticus 6:1-5—Wrongful taking of property required restoration plus a fifth. • Luke 19:8—Zacchaeus exceeds Mosaic minimums, showing that true repentance willingly bears cost. • Romans 13:7—Paying what is owed reflects divine justice now fulfilled in Christ. Takeaways for Today • God values integrity; our word to Him is not casual. • Justice equals fairness plus compensating grace—wrongdoing incurs real loss, yet redemption is available. • The 20 percent points to a greater Redeemer who paid far more than a surcharge—Jesus “gave Himself for our sins” (Galatians 1:4). • Living justly means restoring what we damage and adding tangible goodwill, mirroring the Lord’s own pattern. |
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