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Selected Verse: Leviticus 27:2 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Le 27:2 |
Strong Concordance |
Speak [01696] unto the children [01121] of Israel [03478], and say [0559] unto them, When a man [0376] shall make a singular [06381] vow [05088], the persons [05315] shall be for the LORD [03068] by thy estimation [06187]. |
| |
King James |
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When a man shall make a singular vow, the persons shall be for the LORD by thy estimation. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
CONCERNING VOWS. (Lev. 27:1-18)
When a man shall make a singular vow, &c.--Persons have, at all times and in all places, been accustomed to present votive offerings, either from gratitude for benefits received, or in the event of deliverance from apprehended evil. And Moses was empowered, by divine authority, to prescribe the conditions of this voluntary duty.
the persons shall be for the Lord, &c.--better rendered thus:--"According to thy estimation, the persons shall be for the Lord." Persons might consecrate themselves or their children to the divine service, in some inferior or servile kind of work about the sanctuary (Sa1 3:1). In the event of any change, the persons so devoted had the privilege in their power of redeeming themselves; and this chapter specifies the amount of the redemption money, which the priest had the discretionary power of reducing, as circumstances might seem to require. Those of mature age, between twenty and sixty, being capable of the greatest service, were rated highest; young people, from five till twenty, less, because not so serviceable; infants, though devotable by their parents before birth (Sa1 1:11), could not be offered nor redeemed till a month after birth; old people were valued below the young, but above children; and the poor--in no case freed from payment, in order to prevent the rash formation of vows--were rated according to their means. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
| Rather, When a man makes a special vow which concerns thy valuation of persons to Yahweh, if thy estimation shall be of the male, etc. The expression "thy estimation" is addressed either to Moses or to the priest Lev 27:12 : it denoted a legal valuation. The vow of a person was perhaps most frequently made in cases of illness or danger, under the impulse of religions feeling, either in the way of thankfulness for blessings received, or of supplication for something desired. A man might dedicate himself, his wife, his child, or his bondservant. This might have been an old custom; but the Law ordained that he who had taken such a vow should pay a sum of money to the sanctuary, determined according to the age and sex of the person. |
| Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78] |
The vowing of persons. - "If any one make a special vow, souls shall be to the Lord according to thy valuation." נדר הפליא does not mean to dedicate or set apart a vow, but to make a special vow (see at Lev 22:21). The words בּערכּך, "according to thy (Moses') valuation," it is more simple to regard as an apodosis, so as to supply to ליהוה the substantive verb תּהיינה, than as a fuller description of the protasis, in which case the apodosis would follow in Lev 27:3, and the verb יקדּישׁ would have to be supplied. But whatever may be the conclusion adopted, in any case this thought is expressed in the words, that souls, i.e., persons, were to be vowed to the Lord according to Moses' valuation, i.e., according to the price fixed by Moses. This implies clearly enough, that whenever a person was vowed, redemption was to follow according to the valuation. Otherwise what was the object of valuing them? Valuation supposes either redemption or purchase. But in the case of men (i.e., Israelites) there could be no purchasing as slaves, and therefore the object of the valuing could only have been for the purpose of redeeming, buying off the person vowed to the Lord, and the fulfilment of the vow could only have consisted in the payment into the sanctuary of the price fixed by the law.
(Note: Saalschtz adopts this explanation in common with the Mishnah. Oehler is wrong in citing Sa1 2:11, Sa1 2:22, Sa1 2:28 as a proof of the opposite. For the dedication of Samuel did not consist of a simple vow, but was a dedication as a Nazarite for the whole of his life, and Samuel was thereby vowed to service at the sanctuary, whereas the law says nothing about attachment to the sanctuary in the case of the simple vowing of persons. But because redemption in the case of persons was not left to the pleasure or free-will of the person making the vow as in the case of material property, no addition is made to the valuation price as though for a merely possible circumstance.)
Lev 27:1-3
This was to be, for persons between twenty and thirty years of age, 50 shekels for a man and 30 for a woman; for a boy between 5 and 20, 20 shekels, for a girl of the same age 10 shekels; for a male child from a month to five years 5 shekels, for a female of the same age 3 shekels; for an old man above sixty 15 shekels, for an old woman of that age 10; the whole to be in shekels of the sanctuary (see at Exo 30:15). The valuation price was regulated, therefore, according to capacity and vigour of life, and the female sex, as the weaker vessel (Pe1 3:7), was only appraised at half the amount of the male.
Lev 27:8
But if the person making the vow was "poor before thy valuation," i.e., too poor to be able to pay the valuation price fixed by the law, he was to be brought before the priest, who would value him according to the measure of what his hand could raise (see Lev 5:11), i.e., what he was able to pay. This regulation, which made it possible for the poor man to vow his own person to the Lord, presupposed that the person vowed would have to be redeemed. For otherwise a person of this kind would only need to dedicate himself to the sanctuary, with all his power for work, to fulfil his vow completely. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| A singular vow - Or, an eminent, or hard vow, not concerning things, which was customary, but concerning persons, which he devoted to the Lord, which was unusual and difficult: yet there want not instances of persons who devoted either themselves or their children, and that either more strictly, as the Nazarites, and the Levites, Sa1 1:11, and for these there was no redemption admitted, but they were in person to perform the service to which they were devoted: or more largely, as some who were not Levites, might yet through zeal to God, or to obtain God's help, which they wanted or desired, devote themselves or their children to the service of God and of the sanctuary, tho' not in such a way as the Levites, which was forbidden, yet in some kind of subserviency to them. And because there might be too great a number of persons thus dedicated, which might be burdensome to the sanctuary, an exchange is allowed, and the priests are directed to receive a tax for their redemption. By thy estimation - Thine, O man that vowest, as appears from Lev 27:8, where his estimation is opposed to the priest's valuation. Nor was there any fear of his partiality in his own cause, for the price is particularly limited. But where the price is undetermined, there, to avoid that inconvenience, the priest is to value it, as Lev 27:8, Lev 27:12. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
| When a man shall make a singular vow - The verse is short and obscure, and may be translated thus: A man who shall have separated a vow, according to thy estimation, of souls unto the Lord; which may be paraphrased thus: He who shall have vowed or consecrated a soul, i. e., a living creature, whether man or beast, if he wish to redeem what he has thus vowed or consecrated, he shall ransom or redeem it according to the priest's estimation; for the priest shall judge of the properties, qualifications, and age of the person or beast, and the circumstances of the person who has vowed it, and shall regulate the value accordingly; and the money shall be put into his hands for the service of the sanctuary. A vow (says Mr. Ainsworth) is a religious promise made unto the Lord, and for the most part with prayer, and paid with thanksgiving, Num 21:2, Num 21:3; Psa 66:12, Psa 66:14. Vows were either of abstinence, such as are spoken of Numbers 30, and the vow of the Nazarite, Numbers 6; or they were to give something to the Lord, as sacrifices, Lev 7:16, or the value of persons, beasts, houses, or lands, concerning which the law is here given. A man might vow or devote himself, his children, (Lev 27:5, Lev 27:6), his domestics, his cattle, his goods, etc. And in this chapter rules are laid down for the redemption of all these things. But if, after consecrating these things, he refused to redeem them, then they became the Lord's property for ever. The persons continued all their lives devoted to the service of the sanctuary; the goods were sold for the profit of the temple or the priests; the animals, if clean, were offered in sacrifice; if not proper for sacrifice, were sold, and the price devoted to sacred uses. This is a general view of the different laws relative to vows, mentioned in this chapter. |
11 And she vowed [05087] a vow [05088], and said [0559], O LORD [03068] of hosts [06635], if thou wilt indeed [07200] look [07200] on the affliction [06040] of thine handmaid [0519], and remember [02142] me, and not forget [07911] thine handmaid [0519], but wilt give [05414] unto thine handmaid [0519] a man [0582] child [02233], then I will give [05414] him unto the LORD [03068] all the days [03117] of his life [02416], and there shall no razor [04177] come [05927] upon his head [07218].
1 And the child [05288] Samuel [08050] ministered [08334] unto the LORD [03068] before [06440] Eli [05941]. And the word [01697] of the LORD [03068] was precious [03368] in those days [03117]; there was no open [06555] vision [02377].
12 And the priest [03548] shall value [06186] it, whether [0996] it be good [02896] or [0996] bad [07451]: as thou valuest [06187] it, who art the priest [03548], so shall it be.
11 But if he [03027] be not able to bring [05381] two [08147] turtledoves [08449], or two [08147] young [01121] pigeons [03123], then he that sinned [02398] shall bring [0935] for his offering [07133] the tenth [06224] part of an ephah [0374] of fine flour [05560] for a sin offering [02403]; he shall put [07760] no oil [08081] upon it, neither shall he put [05414] any frankincense [03828] thereon: for it is a sin offering [02403].
8 But if he be poorer [04134] than thy estimation [06187], then he shall present [05975] himself before [06440] the priest [03548], and the priest [03548] shall value [06186] him; according to [06310] his ability [03027] [05381] that vowed [05087] shall the priest [03548] value [06186] him.
7 Likewise [3668], ye husbands [435], dwell with [4924] them according to [2596] knowledge [1108], giving [632] honour [5092] unto the wife [1134], as [5613] unto the weaker [772] vessel [4632], and [2532] as [5613] being heirs together [4789] of the grace [5485] of life [2222]; that [1519] your [5216] prayers [4335] be [1581] not [3361] hindered [1581].
15 The rich [06223] shall not give more [07235], and the poor [01800] shall not give less [04591] than half [04276] a shekel [08255], when they give [05414] an offering [08641] unto the LORD [03068], to make an atonement [03722] for your souls [05315].
1 And the LORD [03068] spake [01696] unto Moses [04872], saying [0559],
2 Speak [01696] unto the children [01121] of Israel [03478], and say [0559] unto them, When a man [0376] shall make a singular [06381] vow [05088], the persons [05315] shall be for the LORD [03068] by thy estimation [06187].
3 And thy estimation [06187] shall be of the male [02145] from twenty [06242] years [08141] old [01121] even unto sixty [08346] years [08141] old [01121], even thy estimation [06187] shall be fifty [02572] shekels [08255] of silver [03701], after the shekel [08255] of the sanctuary [06944].
28 And did I choose [0977] him out of all the tribes [07626] of Israel [03478] to be my priest [03548], to offer [05927] upon mine altar [04196], to burn [06999] incense [07004], to wear [05375] an ephod [0646] before [06440] me? and did I give [05414] unto the house [01004] of thy father [01] all the offerings made by fire [0801] of the children [01121] of Israel [03478]?
22 Now Eli [05941] was very [03966] old [02204], and heard [08085] all that his sons [01121] did [06213] unto all Israel [03478]; and how they lay [07901] with the women [0802] that assembled [06633] at the door [06607] of the tabernacle [0168] of the congregation [04150].
11 And Elkanah [0511] went [03212] to Ramah [07414] to his house [01004]. And the child [05288] did [01961] minister [08334] unto the LORD [03068] before [06440] Eli [05941] the priest [03548].
3 And thy estimation [06187] shall be of the male [02145] from twenty [06242] years [08141] old [01121] even unto sixty [08346] years [08141] old [01121], even thy estimation [06187] shall be fifty [02572] shekels [08255] of silver [03701], after the shekel [08255] of the sanctuary [06944].
21 And whosoever [0376] offereth [07126] a sacrifice [02077] of peace offerings [08002] unto the LORD [03068] to accomplish [06381] his vow [05088], or a freewill offering [05071] in beeves [01241] or sheep [06629], it shall be perfect [08549] to be accepted [07522]; there shall be no blemish [03971] therein.
12 And the priest [03548] shall value [06186] it, whether [0996] it be good [02896] or [0996] bad [07451]: as thou valuest [06187] it, who art the priest [03548], so shall it be.
8 But if he be poorer [04134] than thy estimation [06187], then he shall present [05975] himself before [06440] the priest [03548], and the priest [03548] shall value [06186] him; according to [06310] his ability [03027] [05381] that vowed [05087] shall the priest [03548] value [06186] him.
8 But if he be poorer [04134] than thy estimation [06187], then he shall present [05975] himself before [06440] the priest [03548], and the priest [03548] shall value [06186] him; according to [06310] his ability [03027] [05381] that vowed [05087] shall the priest [03548] value [06186] him.
11 And she vowed [05087] a vow [05088], and said [0559], O LORD [03068] of hosts [06635], if thou wilt indeed [07200] look [07200] on the affliction [06040] of thine handmaid [0519], and remember [02142] me, and not forget [07911] thine handmaid [0519], but wilt give [05414] unto thine handmaid [0519] a man [0582] child [02233], then I will give [05414] him unto the LORD [03068] all the days [03117] of his life [02416], and there shall no razor [04177] come [05927] upon his head [07218].
6 And if it be from a month [02320] old [01121] even unto five [02568] years [08141] old [01121], then thy estimation [06187] shall be of the male [02145] five [02568] shekels [08255] of silver [03701], and for the female [05347] thy estimation [06187] shall be three [07969] shekels [08255] of silver [03701].
5 And if it be from five [02568] years [08141] old [01121] even unto twenty [06242] years [08141] old [01121], then thy estimation [06187] shall be of the male [02145] twenty [06242] shekels [08255], and for the female [05347] ten [06235] shekels [08255].
16 But if the sacrifice [02077] of his offering [07133] be a vow [05088], or a voluntary offering [05071], it shall be eaten [0398] the same day [03117] that he offereth [07126] his sacrifice [02077]: and on the morrow [04283] also the remainder [03498] of it shall be eaten [0398]:
14 Which my lips [08193] have uttered [06475], and my mouth [06310] hath spoken [01696], when I was in trouble [06862].
12 Thou hast caused men [0582] to ride [07392] over our heads [07218]; we went [0935] through fire [0784] and through water [04325]: but thou broughtest us out [03318] into a wealthy [07310] place.
3 And the LORD [03068] hearkened [08085] to the voice [06963] of Israel [03478], and delivered up [05414] the Canaanites [03669]; and they utterly destroyed [02763] them and their cities [05892]: and he called [07121] the name [08034] of the place [04725] Hormah [02767].
2 And Israel [03478] vowed [05087] a vow [05088] unto the LORD [03068], and said [0559], If thou wilt indeed [05414] deliver [05414] this people [05971] into my hand [03027], then I will utterly destroy [02763] their cities [05892].