Leviticus 27:27
But if it is among the unclean animals, then he may redeem it according to your valuation and add a fifth of its value. If it is not redeemed, then it shall be sold according to your valuation.
But if it is among the unclean animals,

Animals forbidden for food and sacrifice under Leviticus 11 could not be presented on the altar. Yet an unclean animal could be devoted to the LORD as part of a vow, and its value could still serve the sanctuary.

Deu 14:7-8 But of those that chew the cud or have a divided hoof…
Lev 11:4-8 But of those that only chew the cud or only have a divided hoof;…
Lev 11:46-47 This is the law regarding animals, birds…

then he may redeem it according to your valuation

The priest assessed the animal’s value according to the standards established for dedicated property. The owner could retain the animal only by paying its assessed worth, preserving both the seriousness of the vow and the sanctity of what had been dedicated to God.

Num 18:15-16 The firstborn of every womb, whether man or beast…
Lev 25:25-27 If your brother becomes impoverished, his nearest of kin…
Exo 13:13 You must redeem every firstborn donkey with a lamb…

and add a fifth of its value.

The additional twenty percent prevented casual or self-serving reversal of a vow. Similar restitution laws required an added fifth when someone sought to make right what had been withheld or misused, teaching Israel to deal honestly before the LORD.

Lev 5:16 Regarding any holy thing he has harmed,…
Num 5:7 He must make full restitution, add a fifth to its value,…
Lev 6:5 or anything else about which he has sworn falsely.…

If it is not redeemed,

An owner who did not pay the valuation and surcharge surrendered all claim to the animal. What had been devoted to God could not simply return to ordinary use without the required redemption.

Lev 25:30 If it is not redeemed by year's end, the house…
Lev 25:28 But if he cannot obtain enough to repay him,…
Rut 4:6 The kinsman-redeemer replied, “I cannot redeem it myself,”…

then it shall be sold according to your valuation.

The priest sold the animal at its assessed value, and the proceeds belonged to the sanctuary. Although the animal itself was unfit for sacrifice, its value was set apart for God’s service. The provision upheld holy commitments while showing that redemption required a real cost, pointing beyond itself to the greater redemption accomplished through Christ.

Lev 25:14-17 If you make a sale to your neighbor or a purchase…
Lev 25:50-52 He and his purchaser will then count the time…
Jer 32:7-9 Behold! Hanamel, the son of your uncle Shallum…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
- The author of Leviticus, who received the laws from God to instruct the Israelites.

2. Israelites
- The people to whom the laws in Leviticus were given, guiding their worship and daily living.

3. Unclean Animals
- Animals considered ceremonially unclean according to the Mosaic Law, which could not be offered as sacrifices.

4. Priests
- The individuals responsible for overseeing the valuation and redemption process as described in the law.

5. Tabernacle
- The place where offerings and sacrifices were made, central to the worship practices of the Israelites.
Teaching Points
Understanding Redemption
The concept of redemption in Leviticus 27:27 illustrates the broader biblical theme of redemption, where something unclean or unworthy is made valuable through a price paid. This foreshadows the ultimate redemption through Christ.

Valuation and Worth
The process of valuation and adding a fifth to the value signifies the importance of recognizing worth and the cost of redemption. It teaches us to consider the value God places on redemption and the cost of sin.

Holiness and Separation
The distinction between clean and unclean animals underscores the call for holiness and separation from sin. As believers, we are called to live lives set apart for God.

Stewardship and Responsibility
The requirement to redeem or sell unclean animals reflects the responsibility of stewardship. We are called to manage what God has entrusted to us with integrity and according to His principles.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of redeeming unclean animals in Leviticus 27:27 reflect the broader biblical theme of redemption?

2. In what ways does the valuation process in this verse teach us about the cost of sin and the value of redemption?

3. How can the principles of holiness and separation from unclean things in Leviticus apply to our lives today as Christians?

4. What does the requirement to add a fifth to the value when redeeming an unclean animal teach us about God's expectations for stewardship and responsibility?

5. How does the redemption of unclean animals in the Old Testament point forward to the ultimate redemption found in Jesus Christ, as described in the New Testament?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 11
This chapter outlines the laws regarding clean and unclean animals, providing context for understanding the significance of unclean animals in Leviticus 27:27.

Numbers 18:15-17
Discusses the redemption of the firstborn, which parallels the concept of redeeming unclean animals.

Hebrews 9:13-14
Connects the Old Testament sacrificial system to the ultimate redemption through Christ, highlighting the insufficiency of animal sacrifices for true purification.
Spontaneous DevotionW. Clarkson Leviticus 27:1-33
On Keeping VowsR.M. Edgar Leviticus 27:1-34
Vows and DuesR.A. Redford Leviticus 27:1-34
Devoted ThingsJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 27:26-34
People
Israelites, Moses
Places
Mount Sinai
Topics
Add, Added, Adding, Agreement, Animal, Animals, Beast, Beasts, Buy, Estimation, Fifth, Fixed, Giving, Isn't, Money, One-fifth, Owner, Ransom, Ransomed, Redeem, Redeemed, Sold, Thereof, Thereto, Unclean, Valuation, Value, Valuing
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 27:27

     1657   numbers, fractions
     6721   redemption, in life

Leviticus 27:1-27

     8223   dedication

Leviticus 27:1-33

     6714   ransom

Leviticus 27:26-28

     4605   animals, religious role

Library
List of Abbreviations Used in Reference to Rabbinic Writings Quoted in this Work.
THE Mishnah is always quoted according to Tractate, Chapter (Pereq) and Paragraph (Mishnah), the Chapter being marked in Roman, the paragraph in ordinary Numerals. Thus Ber. ii. 4 means the Mishnic Tractate Berakhoth, second Chapter, fourth Paragraph. The Jerusalem Talmud is distinguished by the abbreviation Jer. before the name of the Tractate. Thus, Jer. Ber. is the Jer. Gemara, or Talmud, of the Tractate Berakhoth. The edition, from which quotations are made, is that commonly used, Krotoschin,
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Tithing
There are few subjects on which the Lord's own people are more astray than on the subject of giving. They profess to take the Bible as their own rule of faith and practice, and yet in the matter of Christian finance, the vast majority have utterly ignored its plain teachings and have tried every substitute the carnal mind could devise; therefore it is no wonder that the majority of Christian enterprises in the world today are handicapped and crippled through the lack of funds. Is our giving to be
Arthur W. Pink—Tithing

Circumcision, Temple Service, and Naming of Jesus.
(the Temple at Jerusalem, b.c. 4) ^C Luke II. 21-39. ^c 21 And when eight days [Gen. xvii. 12] were fulfilled for circumcising him [The rite was doubtless performed by Joseph. By this rite Jesus was "made like unto his brethren" (Heb. ii. 16, 17); that is, he became a member of the covenant nation, and became a debtor to the law--Gal. v. 3] , his name was called JESUS [see Luke i. 59], which was so called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. [Luke i. 31.] 22 And when the days of their
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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