What does Leviticus 27:33 mean by "He shall not inquire whether it is good or bad"? Text of Leviticus 27:32-33 “Every tenth animal from the herd or flock that passes under the shepherd’s rod will be holy to the LORD. He must not inspect whether it is good or bad, and he shall not exchange it. If he does substitute one, both the animal and its substitute shall become holy; they cannot be redeemed.” Historical–Cultural Background 1. Shepherd’s Rod Ceremony – Ancient Near-Eastern texts (e.g., Ugaritic herd-account tablets, ca. 1200 BC, Louvre AO 17371) show livestock counted by passing individually under a staff. In Israel the tenth animal, regardless of quality, was marked with red dye (Mishnah, Bekhorot 9:7) and dedicated. 2. Distinction from Sacrificial Offerings – Leviticus 1–7 requires unblemished animals for sacrifice. The tithe animal, by contrast, was usually consumed in covenantal meals (cf. Deuteronomy 12:17-18) rather than burnt on the altar. Therefore physical perfection was not a requirement. Canonical Context in Leviticus Chapter 27 is an appendix on voluntary vows and mandatory tithes. Verses 32-33 conclude the book by stressing God’s ownership of the tithe and the worshiper’s integrity in fulfilling it. Meaning of “He Shall Not Inquire Whether It Is Good or Bad” 1. Prohibition of Selective Giving – The owner may not sort the herd to keep prime breeding stock while dedicating the weak or old. The random “every tenth” removes human manipulation. 2. Declaration of Divine Sovereignty – By relinquishing the power to choose, the worshiper acknowledges that the LORD alone apportions blessing (Psalm 24:1). 3. Safeguard of Community Equity – Because the tithe supports priests, Levites, pilgrims, and the poor (Numbers 18:24; Deuteronomy 14:28-29), this rule protects them from receiving only culls. 4. Test of Faith and Contentment – The worshiper trusts God to replenish the flock, echoing Proverbs 3:9-10. Parallel Old Testament Passages • Malachi 1:8 reproves those who “offer the blind for sacrifice.” • Deuteronomy 15:21 forbids sacrificing a blemished animal but does not prohibit its use as tithe food, showing two distinct categories. • Ezekiel 20:40 anticipates future worship “without defilement,” reflecting the principle of wholehearted giving. Theological Principles 1. Holiness Is Transferable – Once the rod-selected animal is declared “holy,” any attempted swap renders both animals holy, illustrating the irrevocability of God’s claim (Romans 11:29). 2. Integrity in Worship – Outward acts must match inward devotion (1 Samuel 15:22). 3. Stewardship, Not Ownership – Everything is ultimately God’s (1 Chron 29:14); the tithe simply makes that visible. Christological and Typological Implications Although tithed animals could be blemished, sacrificial animals prefiguring Christ had to be spotless (Exodus 12:5; 1 Peter 1:19). The juxtaposition underscores that our salvation rests on the unblemished Lamb chosen by God, not on our selective offerings (John 1:29). Practical Application for Modern Believers • Generosity: Give proportionately and promptly without sifting finances to find the “least costly” share. • Transparency: Resist today’s equivalents of swapping animals—creative accounting, delayed obedience, or token gestures. • Trust: The random tenth principle invites confidence that God sustains His people beyond human calculations (2 Corinthians 9:6-11). Answering Common Objections Objection: “Why allow blemished animals at all?” Response: The tithe animal’s function was economic and celebratory, not propitiatory; blemishes did not invalidate its purpose (cf. Deuteronomy 14:26). The separate sacrificial system already safeguarded the requirement of perfection for atonement symbolism. Objection: “Isn’t random selection wasteful when superior animals could be bred?” Response: Israel’s agrarian economy thrived under God’s covenantal promise of fruitfulness (Leviticus 26:3-10). Faithful obedience, not genetic strategy, secured prosperity. Archaeological and Extra-Biblical Corroboration • Lachish Ostracon 4 (c. 586 BC) mentions “the tenth” of grain sent to the temple, paralleling Levitical practice. • Elephantine Papyri (5th century BC) include levy records requiring a fixed percentage of livestock, indicating the cultural persistence of tithe customs among Hebrew exiles. Summary “Not inquiring whether it is good or bad” forbids the offerer from evaluating or manipulating the quality of the tithe animal. The regulation promotes integrity, equity, and trust in God’s provision. It foreshadows the gospel truth that salvation rests on God’s unmerited grace rather than human calculation, calling believers to wholehearted, unbiased devotion in every act of worship. |
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