When someone dedicates a person, animal, or field, or a portion of a field to God, they can only redeem it (buy it back) if they pay the price set by the priest for its redemption.  The firstborn of every flock is already dedicated, or consecrated, to God by default, and cannot be redeemed.  However, when a man makes a vow to God to consecrate any of his other animals, his house, his property, or even a person to God, he can buy it back.

This seems like a strange custom in some ways, but I think it is a foreshadowing of redemption from which we can learn.  We are in bondage before salvation and in need of redemption.  The high priest, or God, declares the price of redemption, and that price is the sinless sacrifice of a substitutionary lamb.  Jesus was and is that Lamb.  The price had to be paid to redeem us from our bondage.  Thanks be to God for redemption.

The principle of tithing is also reiterated in this passage and spelled out further, in that one-tenth of all the land, seed, fruit, and flocks, are to be given to God.  If you wish to redeem the seed or fruit, then one-fifth must be added to it for redemption.  If you wish to redeem the flocks, you violate God’s command and both the original animal and another are required.  God takes tithing seriously.  Don’t use what is God’s for yourself: it may cost you more!

5 thoughts on “Redeeming Persons and Property Dedicated to God (Leviticus 27)

  1. Lev 27:29 a man once dedicated to the Lord, may not be bought back for any price.(redeemed) He dies the Lord’s possession. If I am reading this correctly? Is this a foreshadowing of the Baptist doctrine of eternal security?

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    1. I do not see the context limiting the devoted (KJV) object as limited to the first born. Verse 28 “no devoted thing, that a man shall devote into the Lord of all that he hath, both of man and beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed:” in the same way once a sacrifice freewill or other was vowed or given to the Lord it became the Lord’s possession untill it’s death. No taking it back.

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      1. I see your thinking with regard to living things, people and beasts, but the text seems not to limit the prescribed, devoted thing to living things. Unless I am mistaken and would appreciate correction. Inherited property sold or given to a levitical priest, if not redeemed by the jubilee became the priests property permanently. I believe the reference to possession and property broadens the context and could make it applicable to the eternal security of believers. Thank you for your input and time.

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