What is the meaning of Leviticus 27:19? And if the one who consecrated the field • The verse begins by focusing on someone who has formally dedicated his farmland to the LORD (see Leviticus 27:14–16; 27:21). • Consecrating the field was a voluntary act of worship, acknowledging God’s ownership of the land (Psalm 24:1). • This dedication did not erase personal stewardship; rather, it placed the land under the sanctuary’s authority until further action. decides to redeem it • God made room for a change of heart: if the owner wished to regain personal use of the field, he could “redeem” it—buy it back (Leviticus 25:24–27). • Redemption upheld both divine ownership and human responsibility, echoing the bigger biblical theme that sinners can be restored through a price paid in full (Isaiah 43:1; 1 Corinthians 6:20). • The opportunity to redeem underscores God’s mercy within His law: vows were serious, yet not a lifelong trap. he must add a fifth to the assessed value • A 20 percent surcharge guarded the sanctity of the original vow (Leviticus 27:13; Numbers 5:7). • Practical reasons: – It compensated for any advantage the owner gained during the time the field was under dedication. – It discouraged impulsive vow-making and quick reversals (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5). • Spiritually, the added fifth illustrates that restoration carries real cost—a small reflection of the immeasurable cost Christ paid to redeem us (1 Peter 1:18-19). and it shall belong to him • Once the redemption price plus the extra fifth was paid, ownership rights fully reverted to the original dedicant (Leviticus 25:28). • No lingering claim remained from the sanctuary; God honors integrity when vows are met (Psalm 15:1-4). • The field’s return points to the permanence of God’s covenants: when the conditions He sets are satisfied, His promises stand firm (2 Corinthians 1:20). summary Leviticus 27:19 teaches that a vowed field could be reclaimed, but only by paying its full tab plus 20 percent. The passage highlights the seriousness of commitments to God, the possibility of merciful restoration, and the principle that redemption always carries a cost—ultimately foreshadowing the perfect redemption secured for us in Christ. |
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