Why is a fifth added to the value in Leviticus 27:31? Canonical Text “Every tithe of the herd or flock—every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd’s rod—will be holy to the LORD… If a man wishes to redeem any part of his tithe, he must add a fifth to its value.” (Leviticus 27:32, 31) Immediate Context in Leviticus 27 Leviticus 27 concludes the Sinai legislation by regulating voluntary vows. An Israelite could dedicate persons (vv. 1-8), animals (vv. 9-13), houses (vv. 14-15), fields (vv. 16-25), or tithes (vv. 30-34). Anything placed under a vow became “holy to the LORD.” If the giver later desired to reclaim (“redeem”) what he had dedicated, he was permitted to do so, but only by paying its assessed value plus an additional 20 percent. Verse 31 applies that principle specifically to agricultural tithes. Pattern of 20 Percent Restitution Elsewhere in the Law • Leviticus 5:15-16—For misappropriating holy things, the offender must repay the principal “and add a fifth of its value.” • Numbers 5:5-7—When someone defrauds his neighbor, he must make full restitution “plus a fifth.” • Leviticus 6:1-5—The thief restores what was taken “and must add a fifth.” The uniform addition of a fifth shows deliberate divine design rather than an arbitrary figure. Economic Deterrent Against Casual Vowing A vow was always voluntary (Deuteronomy 23:21-23). Yet once spoken, it bound the conscience before God. Requiring an extra 20 percent discouraged impulsive vows and protected the sanctity of holy property. The surcharge outweighed any short-term advantage of dedicating produce merely to reclaim it later. Compensation for Lost Priestly Revenue When a tithe was redeemed, the Levites lost the physical produce they would otherwise have received for food (Numbers 18:24-28). The 20 percent premium functioned as an offset, ensuring that God’s ministers were not deprived (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:13-14). Symbolic Assertion of God’s Ownership “Tithe” in Hebrew derives from the root for “ten.” Adding one-fifth raises ten units to twelve. In Scripture, twelve is the governmental number for God’s people (twelve tribes, twelve apostles). Redeeming the tithe by raising ten to twelve visibly reaffirmed Yahweh’s sovereignty over the whole. Holiness and Penalty Logic Anything holy (qōdesh) carried heightened accountability. To convert holy produce back to common use, the owner paid what essentially acted as a guilt-offering surcharge (compare Leviticus 22:14). The fifth thus served both as penalty for de-consecrating and as recognition that holiness is costly. Typological Foreshadowing of Redemption in Christ Redemption (Hebrew gā’al) always involves an added cost. Boaz paid extra to redeem Ruth (Ruth 4). Ultimately, Christ “gave Himself” (Ephesians 5:2), paying infinitely more than the face value of sinners. The 20 percent premium is a miniature picture that redemption is never at par; it requires surplus grace. Consistent Manuscript Witness All extant Hebrew manuscripts (Masoretic Text), the Samaritan Pentateuch, and the Greek Septuagint agree on the wording “add a fifth,” underscoring the text’s stability. The Dead Sea Scroll fragment 4QLevd (circa 150 B.C.) also preserves the same clause, confirming transmission fidelity. Ancient Near-Eastern Parallels Ugaritic and Hittite vow tablets permit redemption of dedicated items at a premium (often 15-25 percent). While Israelite law is unique in theology, the economic logic fits a broadly attested ancient pattern, supporting historicity without requiring literary borrowing. Principles for Contemporary Believers 1. Guard Your Words—Vows matter (Matthew 5:33-37). 2. Honor God First—The tithe symbolizes recognition that all income is God’s (James 1:17). 3. Understand Redemption—Salvation cost the Redeemer more than the redeemed could pay (1 Peter 1:18-19). 4. Support Gospel Workers—Just as Levites were compensated, so those who preach should “receive their living from the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14). Conclusion The added fifth in Leviticus 27:31 safeguards God’s holiness, secures priestly provision, deters flippant vows, and prefigures the costly nature of redemption ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. |
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