28, 29. no devoted thing, that a man shall devote unto the Lord of all that he hath, . . . shall be sold or redeemed—This relates to vows of the most solemn kind—the devotee accompanying his vow with a solemn imprecation on himself not to fail in accomplishing his declared purpose. read more
29. shall surely be put to death—This announcement imported not that the person was to be sacrificed or doomed to a violent death; but only that he should remain till death unalterably in the devoted condition. The preceding regulations were evidently designed to prevent rashness in vowing ( :-) and to encourage serious and considerate reflection in all matters between God and the soul ( :-). read more
H. DIRECTIONS CONCERNING VOWS ch. 27The blessings and curses (ch. 26) were in a sense God’s vows to His people. This chapter deals with His people’s vows to Him. Another connection between these chapters is that in times of divine discipline (Leviticus 26:14-33) people tend to make vows to God. Chapter 27 shows how God wanted the Israelites to honor their vows. [Note: Wenham, The Book . . ., p. 336.] "The directions concerning vows follow the express termination of the Sinaitic lawgiving (chap.... read more
3. Vows concerning other property 27:14-29God treated houses (Leviticus 27:14-15) the same as unclean cattle (cf. Leviticus 27:11-12). He calculated land value in relationship to the year of jubilee. The people evidently were to pay for land they inherited and then vowed year by year (Leviticus 27:16-21). However they normally were to pay for land they purchased and then vowed in one payment (Leviticus 27:22-25). They could not vow first-born animals because these already belonged to God... read more
Vows and Tithes and their Redemption1-29. Law of vows and their redemption.The making of vows is a very ancient and universal practice connected with prayer. In order to secure his desire the suppliant adds a vow to his prayer. Vows may be either positive or negative. A man may promise either to devote something to God, or to abstain from some comfort or necessary of life. Instances of the latter, vows of abstinence, are to be found in Numbers 6:1-21; Numbers 30; 1 Samuel 14:24; Psalms 132:2-5,... read more
(28) Notwithstanding no devoted thing.—Better, Nevertheless, no banned thing (see Leviticus 27:26), that is, unlike those things consecrated to God by the vow hitherto spoken of, anything which the vower devoted to God under a solemn ban cannot be redeemed.Both of man and beast, and of the field of his possession.—This shows the extent to which a man may go in exercising his power to devote things to God in this manner. He was perfectly at liberty to ban not only his cattle and his otherwise... read more
(29) None devoted, which shall be devoted of men.—Better, Every one banned, which shall be banned of men, that is, every one banned from amongst men, or every human being banned, is not to be redeemed. Like the cattle and the patrimonial estates, when once devoted to God by a vow of banning, the man thus banned by a vow comes irretrievably under the class of “most holy unto the Lord,” or one irrevocably withdrawn from the power of man.But shall surely be put to death.—Not as a sacrifice to God,... read more
CONCERNING VOWSLeviticus 27:1-34As already remarked, the book of Leviticus certainly seems, at first sight, to be properly completed with the previous chapter; and hence it has been not unnaturally suggested that this chapter has by some editor been transferred, either of intention or accident, from an earlier part of the book - as, e.g., after chapter 25. The question is one of no importance; but it is not hard to perceive a good reason for the position of this chapter after not only the rest... read more
EXCLUSIONS FROM THE VOWLeviticus 27:26-33"Only the firstling among beasts, which is made a firstling to the Lord, no man shall sanctify it; whether it be ox or sheep, it is the Lord’s. And if it be of an unclean beast, then he shall ransom it according to thine estimation, and shall add unto it the fifth part thereof: or if it be not redeemed, then it shall be sold according to thy estimation. Notwithstanding, no devoted thing, that a man shall devote unto the Lord of all that he hath, whether... read more
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Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Leviticus 27:28-29
Leviticus 27:28-29. Notwithstanding, no devoted thing, &c.— The word which we render a vow, in the second verse, is נדר neder, by which, (whoever devoted any thing to God,) there remained a power of redemption. Another kind of vow called חרם cherem, is here mentioned; whereby, (whoever devoted any thing to God;) there remained no power of redemption. Things thus devoted were most holy; i.e. so solemnly adjudged or separated to religious uses, that they could not be at all alienated. Some... read more