Leviticus 27:16-25

Leviticus 27:16-Lamentations : . Commutation for Land.— In this case the question of the interval before Jubile arises, as, in the case of a man, the period when he will be past work ( Leviticus 27:7). The standard taken is “ the sowing of a homer of barley,” which is regarded as equivalent to the labour of a man in his prime, about £ 7. A homer= about 11 bushels (p. 115). Kennedy (HDB, “ Weights” ) points out that in the Mishna the size of a field is often computed by the amount of seed needed to sow it. “ The area of 2 seahs” is fixed in the Mishna as the area of the Tabernacle, 100 × 50 cubits. Thus, the standard taken is a field which will need 11 bushels to sow it, i.e. about 4 acres. If the period of fifty years has run part of its course, deductions are made on the principle of a partly expired lease. If the field is bought back for a lump sum, the additional 20 per cent, is to be paid. If the person who has vowed the land had himself bought it “ on lease” ( i.e. till the Jubile) he must pay the price in cash, as the original owner could at any time “ redeem” the field. The sacred shekel weighed nearly twice the ordinary shekel; the gerah ( Leviticus 27:25) weighed probably about 10 grains.