Leviticus 27:28-29

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Leviticus 27:26-34

Here is, I. A caution given that no man should make such a jest of sanctifying things to the Lord as to sanctify any firstling to him, for that was his already by the law, Lev. 27:26. Though the matter of a general vow be that which we were before obliged to, as of our sacramental covenant, yet a singular vow should be of that which we were not, in such circumstances and proportions, antecedently bound to. The law concerning the firstlings of unclean beasts (Lev. 27:27) is the same with that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 27:28

Notwithstanding, no devoted thing that a man shall devote unto the Lord ,.... This is a different vow from the former, expressed by "sanctifying"; for though "sanctifying" and "devoting" were both vows, yet the latter had an execration or curse added to it, by which a man imprecated a curse upon himself, if that itself, which he devoted, was put to any other use than that for which he devoted it; wherefore this sort of vow was absolute and irrevocable, and what was vowed was unalienable, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Leviticus 27:29

None devoted, which shall be devoted of men, shall be redeemed ,.... This is said, not of such men as are devoted to the Lord, as in the preceding verse; for it is not said here as there, "none devoted unto the Lord", but of such as are devoted to ruin and destruction, for whom there was no redemption, but they must die; nor is it said, "which is devoted by men, but of men", or from among men; whether they be devoted by God himself, as all idolaters, and particularly the seven nations of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 27:28

No devoted thing - shall be sold or redeemed - This is the חרם cherem , which always meant an absolute unredeemable grant to God. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Leviticus 27:29

Which shall be devoted of men - Every man who is devoted shall surely be put to death; or, as some understand it, be the Lord's property, or be employed in his service, till death. The law mentioned in these two verses has been appealed to by the enemies of Divine revelation as a proof, that under the Mosaic dispensation human sacrifices were offered to God; but this can never be conceded. Had there been such a law, it certainly would have been more explicitly revealed, and not left in the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 27:1-33

Spontaneous devotion. The relations between God and his ancient people were not so rigid as they are sometimes supposed to have been. It was not all enactment on the one hand, and obedience or disobedience on the other. We find illustration here— I. THAT THE LAW OF GOD LEAVES AMPLE ROOM FOR THE PLAY OF SPONTANEOUS DEVOTION . Under the inspiring influence of some signal mercies, individual or national, the Israelite might devote to God either This was to be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 27:1-34

A man might vow to the service of God whatever he had a right over, that is, himself, his wife, his children, his slaves, his beasts, his houses, his fields. In case persons were vowed, the rule was that they should be redeemed at a certain price, though occasionally the redemption was not made. Vowing a person to God thus, was, as a rule, no more than vowing so much money to the use of the sanctuary as was fixed as the price of the redemption of the person vowed. Yet there is a great... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 27:1-34

Vows are not instituted by the Mosaic legislation; they were already in existence as a habit of the Hebrew people, and they are only regulated by Moses. The principle on the subject of vows is that no one was bound to make a vow, but that when a vow was made, it must be observed by the payment of the thing vowed or its recognized commutation. Thus Deuteronomy 23:21 , "When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the Lord thy God will surely require it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 27:1-34

On keeping vows. cf. Ecclesiastes 5:4 , Ecclesiastes 5:5 ; Genesis 28:20-22 ; Genesis 35:1-7 . We have in this apparent appendix to the book an interesting chapter about keeping vows. Religious enthusiasm may very properly express itself in the dedication either of one's self, or a relative in whose destiny we have a voice, or a beast, or a house, or finally a field. Such a sense of special obligation may be laid upon us that we feel constrained to dedicate either a person, an... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Leviticus 27:1-34

Vows and dues. I. We find here a representation of the union of righteousness and grace in the kingdom of God. The sacredness of vows and dues; but the estimation, by the priest, according to the ability of him that made the vow. The Law makes its claim, but God provides against its rigour. II. Comparison of the Law of God as given to his ancient people with the imperfect and cruel laws of merely human origin. Especially as to human sacrifices. The only human life which could be... read more

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