What is the meaning of Leviticus 27:16? If a man consecrates to the LORD a parcel of his land Leviticus 27:16: “If a man consecrates to the LORD a parcel of his land...” • “Consecrates” means setting something apart exclusively for God’s use, echoing earlier instructions about vows (Leviticus 27:1–8) and holy gifts (Exodus 35:21). • The land in Israel was viewed as ultimately belonging to God (Leviticus 25:23; Psalm 24:1). When a person dedicated part of it, he acknowledged God’s ownership in a concrete way. • The act was voluntary, similar to Hannah dedicating Samuel (1 Samuel 1:28) or David’s gifts for the temple (1 Chronicles 29:3–5). • Such consecration did not mean forfeiting all use of the land; rather, its value was transferred to the sanctuary so that the priesthood and worship could be maintained (Numbers 18:8–14). then your valuation shall be proportional to the seed required for it Leviticus 27:16 continues: “...then your valuation shall be proportional to the seed required for it...” • Instead of appraising the land by location or market price, God set a uniform measure—how much seed the field would take. That avoided favoritism and ensured fairness (Deuteronomy 16:19). • Tying value to seed linked the gift to its productive capacity, the very blessing God promised for obedience (Leviticus 26:3–5). • This basis also protected poorer Israelites: a small field needing little seed carried a smaller obligation (2 Corinthians 8:12 finds harmony here: “if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has”). • The standard kept worship within reach of every social class, just as later offerings allowed birds when lambs were unaffordable (Leviticus 12:8; Luke 2:24). fifty shekels of silver for every homer of barley seed Leviticus 27:16 ends: “—fifty shekels of silver for every homer of barley seed.” • A homer (roughly six bushels) seeded about an acre and a half. At fifty shekels per homer, the LORD fixed a clear, public rate. • Silver shekels were the common currency (Genesis 23:15–16). By stating an exact figure, God prevented overcharging or underpaying (Proverbs 20:10). • Barley, the earliest grain harvest (Ruth 1:22), served as a benchmark crop, accessible to the average farmer (John 6:9). • When the Year of Jubilee arrived, any dedicated land returned to its original family (Leviticus 27:24). Therefore, the priest would adjust the fifty-shekel valuation downward for years remaining until Jubilee (Leviticus 27:18). This kept the requirement equitable through time. summary Leviticus 27:16 sets out a fair, consistent way for an Israelite to dedicate farmland to God: determine the field’s size by the seed it takes, apply God’s fixed rate of fifty shekels per homer of barley, and pay that amount into the sanctuary. The guideline honors God’s ownership of the land, safeguards worship funding, and ensures no one is exploited. It models principled giving—voluntary, measurable, and rooted in gratitude for the harvest He provides. |
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