Berean Study Bible Rules about ValuationsGod speaks with divine authority, establishing the instructions that conclude Leviticus. As Israel’s covenant God, the LORD directs the nation’s worship, vows, and responsibilities according to His holy will. Exo 6:1 But the LORD said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do… said to Moses, Moses receives God’s commands as Israel’s appointed leader and mediator. He faithfully communicates the law to the people, preserving the order God established for their life as His covenant nation. Deu 31:14 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, the time of your death… “Speak to the Israelites Israel, descended from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, stood in covenant with the LORD after He delivered them from Egypt and gave them His Law at Sinai. Moses was to communicate God’s commands faithfully to the nation. Lev 1:2 “Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When any of you”… and say to them, The instruction came with divine authority. Moses did not speak his own judgment but delivered the LORD’s requirements to the people. Lev 4:2 Tell the Israelites to do as follows with one who sins… ‘When someone makes a special vow to the LORD Such vows were voluntary but binding commitments made to God. A person who dedicated himself or another person to the LORD could fulfill the vow through the prescribed payment. Num 6:2 Speak to the Israelites and tell them that if a man or woman… involving the value of persons, The Law established fixed valuations according to age and sex, reflecting the person’s customary capacity for labor and potential economic contribution in Israel’s agrarian society. These payments provided an orderly way to honor meaningful and sacrificial vows without treating human beings as property. Lev 25:47-52 If a foreigner residing among you prospers,… if the valuation concerns a male A person dedicated by vow to the LORD could be redeemed by paying the assigned value. The higher valuation for males reflects their customary economic responsibilities and labor capacity in Israelite society. Deu 16:16 Three times a year all your men appear before the LORD… from twenty to sixty years of age, These were generally the years of greatest physical strength and productive work. Num 1:3 You and Aaron are to number those who are twenty years old… then your valuation shall be fifty shekels of silver, The required payment was substantial, reflecting the expected value of a man’s labor during his prime years. It was not a price placed on human worth before God, but a fixed amount governing vows made to Him. 2Sa 24:24 So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen… according to the sanctuary shekel. The payment followed the official weight standard used for sacred offerings and tabernacle administration, preventing unequal measures in matters devoted to the LORD. Exo 30:13 Everyone who crosses over to those counted must pay… Or if it is a female, If the person dedicated to the LORD was female, the assigned valuation reflected the labor and economic patterns of Israelite society, not a difference in spiritual worth before God. Deu 22:28-29 If a man encounters a virgin who is not pledged in marriage… then your valuation shall be The payment provided an established way to fulfill such a vow, with the value given according to the sanctuary standard. Num 18:15-16 The firstborn of every womb, whether man or beast… thirty shekels. For a female between twenty and sixty years old, the required valuation was thirty shekels. Exo 21:32 If the ox gores a manservant or maidservant,… And if the person is from five to twenty years of age, Persons between five and twenty years of age could be included in a vow of dedication to the Lord. The law provided an orderly means for a vowed person to be redeemed by a payment to the sanctuary rather than serving there personally. Num 1:3 You and Aaron are to number those who are twenty years old… then your valuation for the male shall be twenty shekels, The required redemption value reflected the customary economic value of a young male’s labor in Israelite society. It regulated vows according to a fixed standard and prevented arbitrary or burdensome demands. Lev 25:50-52 He and his purchaser will then count the time… and for the female ten shekels. The lower valuation corresponded to the differing labor expectations for females in that society. These amounts concerned redemption payments connected with vows, not a person’s worth before God. Jdg 17:10 “Stay with me,” Micah said to him, “and be my father…”… Now if the person is from one month to five years of age, Infants were included in the vow regulations after one month, when they had passed the earliest and most vulnerable stage of life. Children in this age range were not yet expected to perform the work associated with adult service. Num 18:15-16 The firstborn of every womb, whether man or beast… then your valuation for the male shall be five shekels of silver, The five-shekel amount was the required redemption value for a male child dedicated by vow. It reflected the established valuation scale for the sanctuary rather than the child’s personal or spiritual worth. Num 3:46-47 To redeem the 273 firstborn Israelites… and for the female three shekels of silver. A female child’s redemption value was three shekels. The differing amounts followed Israel’s social and economic order, in which males and females ordinarily had different anticipated roles and labor capacities. Both were included among those who could be devoted to the Lord and redeemed according to His appointed standard. Deu 22:29 the man who lay with her must pay the young woman’s father… And if the person is sixty years of age or older, Sixty marked the final age category in the valuation scale. The lower amounts recognized that older people generally had less capacity for the physical labor that supported households, farms, and the wider community. These values applied to persons dedicated by a vow and did not measure their worth before God. Lev 19:32 You are to rise in the presence of the elderly,… then your valuation shall be fifteen shekels for the male The required payment for an older man was fifteen shekels, substantially less than for men in their productive working years. The amount reflected customary economic realities while providing a fixed and orderly means of fulfilling vows made to the LORD. Num 18:15-16 The firstborn of every womb, whether man or beast… and ten shekels for the female. An older woman was valued at ten shekels under the same system. The distinction followed the labor patterns and social order of Israel’s agricultural society, while the inclusion of both men and women showed that vows involving either could be redeemed according to God’s appointed standard. Hos 3:2 So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver.… But if the one making the vow is too poor to pay the valuation, Israelites of limited means were not excluded from making vows to the Lord. The law recognized genuine poverty and made provision so that devotion to God would not become an impossible financial burden. Lev 5:7 If, however, he cannot afford a lamb, he may… he is to present the person before the priest, The priest examined the matter as the Lord’s appointed representative in the sanctuary. His involvement brought order and accountability to the fulfillment of vows. Lev 13:2-3 “When someone has a swelling or rash or bright spot… who shall set the value according to what the one making the vow can afford. The required payment was adjusted to the person’s actual resources. God’s law upheld the seriousness of a vow while requiring a fair assessment that did not oppress the poor. Lev 14:21 If, however, the person is poor and cannot afford… If he vows an animal A vow was a voluntary but binding promise made to the LORD. An Israelite could dedicate an animal as an offering, treating the commitment with the same seriousness as any other obligation made before God. Num 30:2 If a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath… that may be brought as an offering to the LORD, Only animals permitted for sacrifice could be vowed in this way, including clean animals from the herd or flock. What was dedicated had to meet God’s requirements for worship. Lev 1:2-3 “Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When any of you”… any such animal given to the LORD Once vowed, the animal no longer belonged to the worshiper for ordinary use. It was reserved for the LORD and could not be treated as personal property. Exo 13:2 “Consecrate to Me every firstborn male. The firstborn”… shall be holy. The animal was set apart for sacred use because it belonged to God. Its consecration reflected holiness, meaning set apart or consecrated for a divine purpose, required in Israel’s worship and offerings. Num 18:17 But you must not redeem the firstborn of an ox… He must not replace it or exchange it, An animal vowed to the LORD was set apart for sacred use and could not be withdrawn or traded after the vow was made. The worshiper was required to honor his commitment without attempting to revise it for personal advantage. Deu 23:21-23 If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow… either good for bad or bad for good. No change in value or quality was permitted. A superior animal could not be substituted to alter the terms of the vow, nor could an inferior one be offered in its place. What had been dedicated belonged to the LORD. Lev 22:20-21 You must not present anything with a defect… But if he does substitute one animal for another, The law anticipated attempts to exchange a vowed animal and established a consequence that prevented manipulation of the offering. Gen 22:13 Then Abraham looked up and saw behind him a ram… both that animal and its substitute will be holy. Both animals became the LORD’s property and were devoted for sanctuary use. The penalty preserved the holiness of the original offering and upheld the seriousness of vows made before God. Lev 6:18 Any male among the sons of Aaron may eat it.… But if the vow involves any of the unclean animals An Israelite could dedicate even an animal unsuitable for food or sacrifice. Such an animal still belonged to the Lord once vowed, but it could not be placed on the altar. Lev 11:2-8 Say to the Israelites, ‘Of all the beasts of the earth,… that may not be brought as an offering to the LORD, The law preserved the distinction between what was holy for sacrifice and what was excluded from sacrificial use. An unclean animal could be devoted in value, though not offered as a burnt offering or other sacrifice. Lev 22:19-20 must offer an unblemished male from the cattle… the animal must be presented before the priest. The priest examined the animal and determined its value for redemption or transfer to sacred use. This ensured that vows were handled openly and according to God’s commands. Lev 13:2 “When someone has a swelling or rash or bright spot… The priest shall set its value, The priest determined the value of an animal dedicated to the Lord, exercising an official responsibility within Israel’s worship. His judgment ensured that vows and dedications were handled honestly and according to the animal’s actual condition. 2Ki 12:4 Then Joash said to the priests, “Collect all the money… whether high or low; The valuation reflected the animal’s quality and usefulness rather than the wealth or status of the person presenting it. This allowed the law to be applied fairly in individual circumstances. Pro 16:11 Honest scales and balances are from the LORD;… as the priest values it, The priest’s assessment was authoritative and was to be made impartially. As a servant of the sanctuary, he was accountable to uphold God’s standards in matters involving holy offerings. Lev 5:15 If someone acts unfaithfully and sins unintentionally… the price will be set. Once established, the value became the amount required if the animal was redeemed rather than given for sacred use. The fixed valuation provided order and prevented disputes in the fulfillment of vows. Exo 30:13-16 Everyone who crosses over to those counted must pay… If, however, the owner decides to redeem the animal, An animal dedicated to the Lord became holy and could not be substituted or treated as ordinary property. If its owner later wished to reclaim it for personal use, redemption was permitted under the valuation established by the priest. Exo 13:13 You must redeem every firstborn donkey with a lamb… he must add a fifth to its value. The additional twenty percent protected the sanctity of vows and discouraged casual or impulsive dedications. It also ensured that reclaiming what had been set apart for God involved a real cost, reflecting the seriousness of worship and obedience. Lev 5:16 Regarding any holy thing he has harmed,… Now if a man consecrates his house as holy to the LORD, An Israelite could dedicate a house to the Lord as a voluntary offering, placing it under sacred use or assigning its value to the sanctuary. Such a gift recognized that property and prosperity ultimately belonged to God. 1Ki 9:3 And the LORD said to him: “I have heard your prayer… then the priest shall value it either as good or bad. The priest assessed the house according to its condition, location, and practical worth. His judgment provided an orderly and impartial way to determine the value of what had been dedicated. Lev 14:35-38 the owner of the house shall come and tell the priest… The price will stand just as the priest values it. The valuation was final, preserving the seriousness of the vow and preventing the offering from being altered for personal advantage. What was set apart for the Lord was to be handled with honesty and reverence. Deu 23:21-23 If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow… But if he who consecrated his house redeems it, A house dedicated to the LORD could be reclaimed by its owner, but only through the prescribed process. This allowed for restoration of personal ownership while preserving the seriousness of what had been devoted to God. Lev 25:29-30 If a man sells a house in a walled city,… he must add a fifth to the assessed value, The owner was required to pay the priest’s valuation plus twenty percent. The added amount guarded against careless vows and acknowledged that property set apart for the LORD could not be treated as ordinary. Lev 5:16 Regarding any holy thing he has harmed,… and it will belong to him. After the full payment was made, the house returned to the owner’s possession. The law upheld both the sanctity of a dedication and the provision for redemption. Lev 25:27 he shall calculate the years since its sale,… If a man consecrates to the LORD a parcel of his land, Israelites held their land as an inheritance from the LORD, allotted to their tribes and families. A person could voluntarily dedicate part of that inheritance to the sanctuary, placing its value under priestly administration while recognizing God’s ultimate ownership. Ezk 45:1-4 When you divide the land by lot as an inheritance… then your valuation shall be proportional to the seed required for it— The land’s assessed value was determined by the amount of seed needed to sow it, providing a practical measure based on its farming capacity. This gave the priests a consistent standard for land devoted by vow. Lev 25:50-52 He and his purchaser will then count the time… fifty shekels of silver for every homer of barley seed. A homer was a large dry measure of seed, and barley was a common staple crop in Israel. The fixed rate of fifty shekels per homer established an orderly valuation for consecrated fields and allowed the land to be redeemed according to the instructions that follow. Hos 3:2 So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver.… If he consecrates his field during the Year of Jubilee, If he consecrates his field during the Year of Jubilee, its value was calculated for the full period until the next Jubilee, when hereditary land rights were restored. Consecrating land to the LORD acknowledged that the land ultimately belonged to Him and that Israelite families held it under His provision. Lev 25:15-17 You are to buy from your neighbor according to the number… the price will stand according to your valuation. The priest’s valuation established the required offering according to the field’s remaining productive years before the next Jubilee. This protected both the sanctuary’s interests and the owner from arbitrary demands. Lev 5:15 If someone acts unfaithfully and sins unintentionally… But if he consecrates his field after the Jubilee, A field dedicated to the LORD after the Jubilee had fewer years remaining before the next Jubilee cycle. Since Israelite land ultimately belonged to the LORD and was assigned by tribe and family, its use could not be treated as a permanent private transfer. Lev 25:10 So you are to consecrate the fiftieth year… the priest is to calculate the price The priest determined the value according to the law governing dedicated property. His judgment protected both the sanctuary’s rights and the family inheritance. Gen 23:16 Abraham agreed to Ephron’s terms and weighed out…… in proportion to the years left until the next Year of Jubilee, The field’s value reflected the number of harvests available before the Jubilee. As the next Jubilee approached, the economic value of its remaining use declined. Lev 25:8-9 And you shall count off seven Sabbaths of years… so that your valuation will be reduced. The required payment was lowered to match the shortened period. The law preserved fairness while upholding the LORD’s claim over the land and Israel’s inherited estates. Lev 25:15-16 You are to buy from your neighbor according to the number… And if the one who consecrated the field decides to redeem it, A field devoted to the LORD through a voluntary vow could be bought back by the person who dedicated it. The law allowed for changed circumstances while preserving the seriousness of a vow made to God. Jer 32:7 Behold! Hanamel, the son of your uncle Shallum… he must add a fifth to the assessed value, The owner paid the priest’s valuation plus twenty percent. This additional amount guarded against careless vows and ensured that the sanctuary did not suffer loss when dedicated property was reclaimed. Lev 5:16 Regarding any holy thing he has harmed,… and it shall belong to him. After the required payment was made, the field returned to the owner’s possession. The arrangement upheld both the holiness of what had been dedicated to the LORD and the family’s continuing stewardship of its inherited land. Lev 25:27 he shall calculate the years since its sale,… If, however, he does not redeem the field, If, however, the owner did not redeem the field, he forfeited his right to reclaim it. Lev 25:25 If your brother becomes impoverished, his nearest of kin… or if he has sold it to another man, Once the field had passed into another man’s possession, the original owner could no longer redeem it. Rut 4:9-10 At this, Boaz said to the elders and all the people,… it may no longer be redeemed. At the Jubilee the field became holy to the Lord and passed permanently to the priests. The law guarded the seriousness of dedicating property to God and prevented a vow from being treated as a temporary arrangement. Lev 25:30 If it is not redeemed by year's end, the house… When the field is released in the Jubilee, When the field is released in the Jubilee, it returns to the LORD rather than to its former owner. The Jubilee prevented the permanent loss of family land in Israel, but a field vowed to God was treated differently because it had been dedicated to Him. Lev 25:28 But if he cannot obtain enough to repay him,… it will become holy, It will become holy, set apart from ordinary ownership and use. Its status could not be reversed after the Jubilee. Exo 29:37 For seven days you shall make atonement for the altar… like a field devoted to the LORD; It was permanently set apart for sacred use and could not be reclaimed or transferred as private property. Jos 6:17-19 Now the city and everything in it must be devoted… it becomes the property of the priests. The priests received it as part of the provision God made for their service, since they possessed no tribal territory of their own. Num 18:14 Every devoted thing in Israel belongs to you. Now if a man consecrates to the LORD Consecrating property to the LORD was a voluntary vow that set it apart for sacred use. Such vows recognized that the land and its produce ultimately belonged to God. 1Sa 1:11 And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, … a field he has purchased, A purchased field differed from land received through the tribal inheritance. It represented personal property acquired by the owner and could be dedicated without altering the permanent family allotment. Gen 23:16-18 Abraham agreed to Ephron’s terms and weighed out…… which is not a part of his own property, Israel’s inherited land was to remain connected to the family and tribe, returning in the Year of Jubilee. A purchased field could be valued according to the years remaining until Jubilee and then assigned for the LORD’s use. Ezk 46:18 The prince must not take any of the inheritance… then the priest shall calculate for him the value up to the Year of Jubilee, A purchased field dedicated to the LORD was valued according to the years remaining until Jubilee, when it would return to the family holding the inherited land. The priest oversaw the assessment so that the dedication was handled fairly and according to God’s law. Lev 25:50-52 He and his purchaser will then count the time… and the man shall pay the assessed value on that day Payment was required immediately, completing the vow without delay and preventing the land from remaining under an unresolved obligation. The amount supported the service of the tabernacle. Deu 23:21-23 If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow… as a sacred offering to the LORD. The payment belonged to the LORD because it came from property set apart for Him. It was not an ordinary transaction, but the fulfillment of a solemn dedication under the covenant. Num 18:8-10 Then the LORD said to Aaron, “Behold, I have put you… In the Year of Jubilee Every fiftieth year, Israel was to restore inherited property to the family that originally received it. The Jubilee preserved the land allotments given to the tribes and reminded Israel that the land belonged to the LORD. Lev 25:10 So you are to consecrate the fiftieth year… the field shall return Land sales were temporary arrangements based on the number of years remaining until Jubilee. A family’s inheritance could not be permanently transferred to another household. Lev 25:23-24 The land must not be sold permanently, because it is Mine… to the one from whom it was bought— The purchaser held the use of the land and its produce until the Jubilee year, when the property reverted without further payment. This prevented lasting loss of family inheritance through poverty or debt. Rut 4:3-4 And he said to the kinsman-redeemer, “Naomi,… the original owner of the land. The land returned to the clan whose ancestors received it when Israel entered Canaan. Jubilee upheld God’s covenant distribution of the land and preserved the tribal order established in Israel. 1Ki 21:3 But Naboth replied, “The LORD forbid that I should… Every valuation Every valuation was to be made according to the standard sanctuary shekel. Although vows were voluntary, those who made them were responsible to fulfill them faithfully. 2Ki 12:4-5 Then Joash said to the priests, “Collect all the money… will be according to the sanctuary shekel, The valuation was measured by the official standard kept for tabernacle worship, preventing private or dishonest measures from affecting what was owed. The sanctuary governed these offerings because dedications belonged to the LORD. Exo 38:25-26 The silver from those numbered among the congregation… twenty gerahs to the shekel. This fixed ratio gave Israel a clear and uniform basis for payment, ensuring accuracy and fairness whenever a vowed gift was redeemed. Num 18:16 You are to pay the redemption price for a month-old male… But no one may consecrate a firstborn of the livestock, Firstborn animals were already set apart for the LORD by His command after the Passover deliverance. Their status did not depend on a person’s vow, generosity, or later decision. Num 18:17 But you must not redeem the firstborn of an ox… because a firstborn belongs to the LORD. Israel recognized God’s ownership of the first and best of the flock and herd. The firstborn reminded the nation that its life, increase, and possessions came from Him. Num 3:13 for all the firstborn are Mine. On the day I struck down… Whether it is an ox or a sheep, The command covered the principal livestock of Israel’s agricultural life, including animals used for labor, food, wool, and sacrifice. Exo 22:30 You shall do likewise with your cattle and your sheep.… it is the LORD’s. A firstborn animal could not be dedicated again because it already belonged to God. Its sacred status pointed forward to Christ, the firstborn over creation and the firstborn from the dead. Num 8:17 For every firstborn male in Israel is Mine,… But if it is among the unclean animals, Animals forbidden for food or sacrifice could not be presented on the altar. If such an animal was vowed to the LORD, its value rather than the animal itself was set apart. Deu 14:7-8 But of those that chew the cud or have a divided hoof… then he may redeem it according to your valuation The owner could reclaim the animal by paying the amount determined by the priest. The priest’s valuation provided an orderly and fair means of handling what had been dedicated. Num 18:15-16 The firstborn of every womb, whether man or beast… and add a fifth of its value. An additional twenty percent was required when the owner redeemed the animal. This safeguarded the seriousness of a vow and ensured that personal benefit did not diminish what had been devoted to the LORD. Lev 5:16 Regarding any holy thing he has harmed,… If it is not redeemed, If the owner did not pay the valuation and added amount, he surrendered all claim to the animal. Lev 25:30 If it is not redeemed by year's end, the house… then it shall be sold according to your valuation. The animal was sold at the priest’s established value, and the proceeds belonged to the sanctuary. Though the animal could not be offered in sacrifice, the vow was fulfilled through its monetary value. Lev 25:14-17 If you make a sale to your neighbor or a purchase… Nothing that a man sets apart to the LORD from all he owns— A person could devote possessions to God in a permanent act of consecration, acknowledging the LORD’s rightful authority over every part of life. 1Sa 1:27-28 I prayed for this boy, and since the LORD has… whether a man, an animal, or his inherited land— The scope included persons, livestock, and family property. Such devotion placed the object beyond ordinary personal use and under God’s claim. Exo 13:12-13 you are to present to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb.… can be sold or redeemed; Unlike other vowed gifts that could sometimes be valued and redeemed, what was devoted could not be bought back, transferred, or treated as private property again. Num 18:17-18 But you must not redeem the firstborn of an ox… everything so devoted is most holy to the LORD. What was devoted belonged exclusively to God and was to be handled with the highest reverence. Num 18:9-10 A portion of the most holy offerings reserved from the fire… No person set apart for destruction Those devoted to destruction under God’s judgment were placed beyond ordinary human disposal or personal claim. In Israel’s wars, such a ban could include people, cities, and possessions assigned wholly to the Lord because of entrenched wickedness. Deu 20:16-17 However, in the cities of the nations that the LORD your God… may be ransomed; No payment, substitute, or private arrangement could reverse that dedication. What God had marked for judgment could not be reclaimed for personal benefit or spared by human decision. Num 35:31 You are not to accept a ransom for the life of a murderer… he must surely be put to death. The prescribed penalty was carried out as an act of obedience to God’s decree and a recognition of His holiness. The law treated such judgment as final rather than negotiable. Exo 21:12 Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death.
Instruction on TithesIsrael’s tithe included a tenth of the produce gathered from the soil, acknowledging the Lord as the giver of the land’s fertility and harvest. Deu 14:22 You must be sure to set aside a tenth of all the produce… whether from the seed of the land or the fruit of the trees, Grain, vegetables, vineyards, orchards, and other crops fell under this requirement. Agricultural produce formed the foundation of Israel’s daily life and economy. Gen 1:11 Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth vegetation:… belongs to the LORD; The tithe was regarded as God’s portion, not simply a voluntary contribution. Israel returned part of what God had provided in recognition of His ownership over the land and its increase. Num 18:24 For I have given to the Levites as their inheritance…… it is holy to the LORD. Set apart for sacred use, the tithe helped support the Levites and the ministry connected with the tabernacle. It also preserved the worshiping community by providing for those appointed to serve before the Lord. Exo 28:36 You are to make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it… If a man wishes to redeem part of his tithe, A person could reclaim produce that had been set apart for the Lord, likely when it was needed for household use or could be converted to money more conveniently. The tithe remained holy to the Lord and could not be treated as ordinary property simply because it was redeemed. Deu 14:24-26 But if the distance is too great for you to carry… he must add a fifth to its value. The additional twenty percent preserved the full value of what had been dedicated and discouraged withholding what belonged to God. Redemption allowed for practical need without reducing the obligation of the tithe. Num 5:7 He must make full restitution, add a fifth to its value,… Every tenth animal from the herd or flock Israel’s livestock tithe recognized that the increase of the herds and flocks belonged to the LORD. Since animals were a central measure of wealth and livelihood, dedicating a tenth acknowledged His provision and supported the worship and service appointed under the covenant. 2Ch 31:6 And the Israelites and Judahites who lived in the cities… that passes under the shepherd’s rod As the animals were counted one by one, every tenth animal was set apart. The owner did not choose the strongest or weakest animals, ensuring that the tithe was determined fairly. Ezk 20:37 I will make you pass under the rod and will bring… will be holy to the LORD. The selected animal became consecrated property, set apart for a special purpose, reserved for the LORD and no longer available for ordinary use. Its holiness reflected Israel’s obligation to honor God with what He had given them. Num 18:17 But you must not redeem the firstborn of an ox… He must not inspect whether it is good or bad, Every tenth animal that passed under the shepherd’s rod belonged to the LORD, without regard to its quality. The owner was not permitted to influence the outcome by choosing stronger or weaker animals. Deu 17:1 You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God… and he shall not make any substitution. What had been set apart for God could not be exchanged for another animal, whether the replacement appeared better or worse. The command guarded the integrity of Israel’s worship and acknowledged God’s claim over the tithe. Num 30:2 If a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath… But if he does make a substitution, If an owner attempted to replace the animal already designated, he incurred a greater loss rather than gaining an advantage. Jer 2:11 Has a nation ever changed its gods? (Yet they are not gods…)… both the animal and its substitute shall become holy; The original animal and the replacement were both consecrated to the LORD. Neither remained available for ordinary use. Exo 29:37 For seven days you shall make atonement for the altar… they cannot be redeemed.’” Unlike certain vowed possessions that could be redeemed by payment, animals from the livestock tithe were permanently dedicated to God. Num 18:17-18 But you must not redeem the firstborn of an ox… These are the commandments God’s laws governed Israel’s worship, moral conduct, and community life, binding the nation to the covenant established with Him. Num 36:13 These are the commandments and ordinances… that the LORD gave to Moses Moses received these instructions from the LORD as Israel’s appointed mediator and leader, confirming their divine authority. Exo 31:18 When the LORD had finished speaking with Moses… for the Israelites Given to the descendants of Jacob, the laws marked Israel as God’s covenant people and directed them in holy living among the nations. Exo 19:3 Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him… on Mount Sinai. At Sinai, God formally established His covenant with Israel and revealed the requirements by which the nation was to live. Exo 19:11 and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day… This is a draft of the Berean Study Bible. Please send all comments and recommendations to bereanstudybible@aol.com. Bible Hub |
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