Leviticus 27:15
But if he who consecrated his house redeems it, he must add a fifth to the assessed value, and it will belong to him.
But if he who consecrated his house redeems it,

A house devoted to the LORD could be reclaimed by the person who had dedicated it. God permitted restoration, yet He required the worshiper to honor the seriousness of a vow. What had been set apart for sacred use was not to be treated as ordinary property.

Lev 25:29-30 If a man sells a house in a walled city,…
Lev 25:33 So whatever belongs to the Levites may be redeemed…

he must add a fifth to the assessed value,

The priest established the value, and the owner paid an additional twenty percent to redeem the house. The added amount guarded against careless promises and acknowledged that a dedication to God carried real obligation. Similar provisions appear in the redemption laws for things dedicated to the LORD, teaching Israel to deal truthfully and reverently with what belonged to Him.

Lev 5:16 Regarding any holy thing he has harmed,…
Lev 22:14 If anyone eats a sacred offering in error,…
Num 5:7 He must make full restitution, add a fifth to its value,…

and it will belong to him.

After the full payment was made, the house returned to the original owner’s possession. The law joined mercy with accountability: God provided a way to reclaim what had been surrendered, but not by disregarding a holy commitment. Redemption throughout Scripture likewise involves a true cost, fulfilled ultimately in Christ, who purchased His people for God.

Lev 25:27 he shall calculate the years since its sale,…
Rut 4:3-5 And he said to the kinsman-redeemer, “Naomi,…
Jer 32:7-8 Behold! Hanamel, the son of your uncle Shallum…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
- The author of Leviticus, who received the laws from God on Mount Sinai and communicated them to the Israelites.

2. Israelites
- The people to whom the laws in Leviticus were given, as they were forming a covenant community under God's guidance.

3. Tabernacle
- The central place of worship for the Israelites, where offerings and vows were made.

4. Priests
- The mediators between God and the Israelites, responsible for overseeing the fulfillment of vows and offerings.

5. Vows
- Commitments made by individuals to dedicate something to God, which could include property, animals, or personal service.
Teaching Points
The Sanctity of Vows
Vows made to God are sacred and should be taken seriously. They reflect a commitment to honor God with our resources and lives.

Redemption and Restoration
The provision for redeeming a vowed property with an additional fifth of its value (Leviticus 27:15) illustrates God's grace and the opportunity for restoration.

Integrity in Worship
Our worship and commitments to God should be marked by integrity and sincerity, reflecting a heart fully devoted to Him.

Financial Stewardship
The requirement to add a fifth to the value when redeeming a vow teaches us about the importance of financial integrity and stewardship in our commitments to God.

Community Accountability
The role of the priests in overseeing vows underscores the importance of community and accountability in our spiritual commitments.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of redeeming a vowed property with an additional fifth of its value reflect God's character and grace?

2. In what ways can we apply the principle of integrity in our commitments to God in our daily lives?

3. How does the teaching on vows in Leviticus 27:15 connect with Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:33-37 about letting our "yes" be "yes"?

4. What role does community accountability play in helping us fulfill our commitments to God, and how can we foster this in our church communities?

5. How can understanding the seriousness of vows in the Old Testament enhance our approach to making commitments in our spiritual walk today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Numbers 30
This chapter discusses the making and breaking of vows, emphasizing the seriousness of making commitments to God.

Ecclesiastes 5:4-5
These verses warn about the importance of fulfilling vows made to God, highlighting the spiritual responsibility involved.

Matthew 5:33-37
Jesus teaches about the integrity of one's word, encouraging believers to let their "yes" be "yes" and their "no" be "no," which relates to the seriousness of vows.
Singular VowsJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 27:1-25
Spontaneous DevotionW. Clarkson Leviticus 27:1-33
On Keeping VowsR.M. Edgar Leviticus 27:1-34
Vows and DuesR.A. Redford Leviticus 27:1-34
People
Israelites, Moses
Places
Mount Sinai
Topics
Add, Added, Consecrates, Dedicates, Desire, Estimation, Fifth, Halloweth, Money, One-fifth, Owner, Price, Redeem, Redeems, Sanctified, Sanctifying, Valuation, Value, Wish, Wishes, Yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 27:15

     1657   numbers, fractions

Leviticus 27:1-25

     5741   vows

Leviticus 27:1-27

     8223   dedication

Leviticus 27:1-33

     6714   ransom

Leviticus 27:14-15

     5340   house

Leviticus 27:15-20

     6721   redemption, in life

Library
List of Abbreviations Used in Reference to Rabbinic Writings Quoted in this Work.
THE Mishnah is always quoted according to Tractate, Chapter (Pereq) and Paragraph (Mishnah), the Chapter being marked in Roman, the paragraph in ordinary Numerals. Thus Ber. ii. 4 means the Mishnic Tractate Berakhoth, second Chapter, fourth Paragraph. The Jerusalem Talmud is distinguished by the abbreviation Jer. before the name of the Tractate. Thus, Jer. Ber. is the Jer. Gemara, or Talmud, of the Tractate Berakhoth. The edition, from which quotations are made, is that commonly used, Krotoschin,
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Tithing
There are few subjects on which the Lord's own people are more astray than on the subject of giving. They profess to take the Bible as their own rule of faith and practice, and yet in the matter of Christian finance, the vast majority have utterly ignored its plain teachings and have tried every substitute the carnal mind could devise; therefore it is no wonder that the majority of Christian enterprises in the world today are handicapped and crippled through the lack of funds. Is our giving to be
Arthur W. Pink—Tithing

Circumcision, Temple Service, and Naming of Jesus.
(the Temple at Jerusalem, b.c. 4) ^C Luke II. 21-39. ^c 21 And when eight days [Gen. xvii. 12] were fulfilled for circumcising him [The rite was doubtless performed by Joseph. By this rite Jesus was "made like unto his brethren" (Heb. ii. 16, 17); that is, he became a member of the covenant nation, and became a debtor to the law--Gal. v. 3] , his name was called JESUS [see Luke i. 59], which was so called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. [Luke i. 31.] 22 And when the days of their
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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