Leviticus 27:33
New International Version
No one may pick out the good from the bad or make any substitution. If anyone does make a substitution, both the animal and its substitute become holy and cannot be redeemed.’”

New Living Translation
You may not pick and choose between good and bad animals, and you may not substitute one for another. But if you do exchange one animal for another, then both the original animal and its substitute will be considered holy and cannot be bought back.”

English Standard Version
One shall not differentiate between good or bad, neither shall he make a substitute for it; and if he does substitute for it, then both it and the substitute shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.”

Berean Standard Bible
He must not inspect whether it is good or bad, and he shall not make any substitution. But if he does make a substitution, both the animal and its substitute shall become holy; they cannot be redeemed.’ ”

King James Bible
He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he change it at all, then both it and the change thereof shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.

New King James Version
He shall not inquire whether it is good or bad, nor shall he exchange it; and if he exchanges it at all, then both it and the one exchanged for it shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.’ ”

New American Standard Bible
He is not to be concerned whether it is good or bad, nor shall he exchange it; yet if he does exchange it, then both it and its substitute shall become holy. It shall not be redeemed.’”

NASB 1995
He is not to be concerned whether it is good or bad, nor shall he exchange it; or if he does exchange it, then both it and its substitute shall become holy. It shall not be redeemed.’”

NASB 1977
‘He is not to be concerned whether it is good or bad, nor shall he exchange it; or if he does exchange it, then both it and its substitute shall become holy. It shall not be redeemed.’”

Legacy Standard Bible
He shall not inquire whether it is good or bad, nor shall he exchange it; or if he does exchange it, then both it and its substitute shall become holy. It shall not be redeemed.’”

Amplified Bible
The man is not to be concerned whether the animal is good or bad, nor shall he exchange it. But if he does exchange it, then both it and its substitute shall become holy; it shall not be redeemed.’”

Christian Standard Bible
He is not to inspect whether it is good or bad, and he is not to make a substitution for it. But if he does make a substitution, both the animal and its substitute will be holy; they cannot be redeemed.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He is not to inspect whether it is good or bad, and he is not to make a substitution for it. But if he does make a substitution, both the animal and its substitute will be holy; they cannot be redeemed.”

American Standard Version
He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he change it at all, then both it and that for which it is changed shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.

Contemporary English Version
no matter how good or bad it is. If you substitute one animal for another, both of them become holy, and neither can be bought back.

English Revised Version
He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he change it at all, then both it and that for which it is changed shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You must not look to see if it is good or bad or exchange it. But if you do exchange it, both the first animal and its substitute will be holy. They cannot be bought back."

Good News Translation
You may not arrange the animals so that the poor animals are chosen, and you may not make any substitutions. If you do substitute one animal for another, then both animals will belong to the LORD and may not be bought back.

International Standard Version
He is not to examine it to see if it's good or bad or even exchange it. If he does exchange it, what has been exchanged as well as its substitute is sacred. It is not to be redeemed."

Majority Standard Bible
He must not inspect whether it is good or bad, and he shall not make any substitution. But if he does make a substitution, both the animal and its substitute shall become holy; they cannot be redeemed.’”

NET Bible
The owner must not examine the animals to distinguish between good and bad, and he must not exchange it. If, however, he does exchange it, both the original animal and its substitute will be holy. It must not be redeemed.'"

New Heart English Bible
He shall not search whether it is good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he changes it at all, then both it and that for which it is changed shall be holy. It shall not be redeemed.'"

Webster's Bible Translation
He shall not search whether it is good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he shall change it at all, then both it and the change of it shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.

World English Bible
He shall not examine whether it is good or bad, neither shall he exchange it. If he exchanges it at all, then both it and that for which it is exchanged shall be holy. It shall not be redeemed.’”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
he does not inquire between good and bad, nor does he exchange it; and if he really exchanges it, then it has been [holy] and its exchange is holy; it is not redeemed.”

Young's Literal Translation
he enquireth not between good and bad, nor doth he change it; and if he really change it -- then it hath been -- it and its exchange is holy; it is not redeemed.'

Smith's Literal Translation
He shall not search between good to evil, and he shall not exchange it; and if exchanging, he shall exchange it, and it was, it and its exchange shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
It shall not be chosen neither good nor bad, neither shall it be changed for another. If any man change it: both that which was changed, and that for which it was changed, shall be sanctified to the Lord, and shall not be redeemed.

Catholic Public Domain Version
It shall not be chosen by what is good or bad; neither shall it be exchanged for another. If anyone has exchanged it, both that which was exchanged, and that for which it was exchanged, shall be sanctified to the Lord and shall not be redeemed.

New American Bible
It shall not matter whether good ones or bad ones are thus chosen, and no exchange may be made. If any exchange is made, both the original animal and its substitute become sacred and cannot be redeemed.

New Revised Standard Version
Let no one inquire whether it is good or bad, or make substitution for it; if one makes substitution for it, then both it and the substitute shall be holy and cannot be redeemed.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He shall not inquire whether it is good or bad, neither shall he exchange it; and if he exchanges it at all, then both it and the exchange thereof shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He shall not inquire between good and bad and between bad and good and he shall not exchange it, and if he will exchange it, that and its exchange shall be holy and it shall not be repurchased.'"
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
He shall not inquire whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it; and if he change it at all, then both it and that for which it is changed shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thou shalt not change a good for a bad, or a bad for a good; and if thou shouldest at all change it, its equivalent also shall be holy, it shall not be redeemed.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Instruction on Tithes
32Every tenth animal from the herd or flock that passes under the shepherd’s rod will be holy to the LORD. 33He must not inspect whether it is good or bad, and he shall not make any substitution. But if he does make a substitution, both the animal and its substitute shall become holy; they cannot be redeemed.’” 34These are the commandments that the LORD gave to Moses for the Israelites on Mount Sinai.…

Cross References
Exodus 13:12-13
you are to present to the LORD the firstborn male of every womb. All the firstborn males of your livestock belong to the LORD. / You must redeem every firstborn donkey with a lamb, and if you do not redeem it, you are to break its neck. And every firstborn of your sons you must redeem.

Numbers 18:17
But you must not redeem the firstborn of an ox, a sheep, or a goat; they are holy. You are to splatter their blood on the altar and burn their fat as a food offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

Deuteronomy 14:22-23
You must be sure to set aside a tenth of all the produce brought forth each year from your fields. / And you are to eat a tenth of your grain, new wine, and oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks, in the presence of the LORD your God at the place He will choose as a dwelling for His Name, so that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always.

Deuteronomy 14:28-29
At the end of every three years, bring a tenth of all your produce for that year and lay it up within your gates. / Then the Levite (because he has no portion or inheritance among you), the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow within your gates may come and eat and be satisfied. And the LORD your God will bless you in all the work of your hands.

Deuteronomy 26:12-13
When you have finished laying aside a tenth of all your produce in the third year, the year of the tithe, you are to give it to the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat and be filled within your gates. / Then you shall declare in the presence of the LORD your God, “I have removed from my house the sacred portion and have given it to the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, according to all the commandments You have given me. I have not transgressed or forgotten Your commandments.

2 Chronicles 31:5-6
As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously provided the firstfruits of the grain, new wine, oil, and honey, and of all the produce of the field, and they brought in an abundance—a tithe of everything. / And the Israelites and Judahites who lived in the cities of Judah also brought a tithe of their herds and flocks and a tithe of the holy things consecrated to the LORD their God, and they laid them in large heaps.

Nehemiah 10:37-38
Moreover, we will bring to the priests at the storerooms of the house of our God the firstfruits of our dough, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees, and of our new wine and oil. A tenth of our produce belongs to the Levites, so that they shall receive tithes in all the towns where we labor. / A priest of Aaron’s line is to accompany the Levites when they collect the tenth, and the Levites are to bring a tenth of these tithes to the storerooms of the treasury in the house of our God.

Nehemiah 13:12
and all Judah brought a tenth of the grain, new wine, and oil into the storerooms.

Malachi 3:8-10
Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you ask, ‘How do we rob You?’ In tithes and offerings. / You are cursed with a curse, yet you—the whole nation—are still robbing Me. / Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this,” says the LORD of Hosts. “See if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure.

Matthew 23:23
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

Luke 11:42
Woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithes of mint, rue, and every herb, but you disregard justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former.

Luke 18:12
I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’

Hebrews 7:5
Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.

Genesis 28:22
And this stone I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give You a tenth.”

Numbers 18:21-24
Behold, I have given to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the service of the Tent of Meeting. / No longer may the Israelites come near to the Tent of Meeting, or they will incur guilt and die. / The Levites are to perform the work of the Tent of Meeting, and they must bear their iniquity. This is a permanent statute for the generations to come. The Levites will not receive an inheritance among the Israelites. ...


Treasury of Scripture

He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he change it at all, then both it and the change thereof shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.

Leviticus 27:10
He shall not alter it, nor change it, a good for a bad, or a bad for a good: and if he shall at all change beast for beast, then it and the exchange thereof shall be holy.

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Animal Bad Change Changed Changes Concerned Exchange Exchanged Good Holy Inquire Pick Really Redeemed Substitute Thereof Whether
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Leviticus 27
1. He who makes a singular vow must be the Lord's
3. The estimation of the person
9. of a beast given by vow
14. of a house
16. of a field, and the redemption thereof
28. No devoted thing may be redeemed
30. The tithe may not be changed














He must not inspect
The phrase "He must not inspect" refers to the prohibition against evaluating the quality of the animal being tithed. In the Hebrew context, the word used here implies a deliberate examination or scrutiny. This command underscores the principle of impartiality and trust in God's provision. The Israelites were to offer what was due without attempting to manipulate or alter the offering based on personal judgment. This reflects a broader biblical theme of faith and obedience, where believers are called to trust in God's sovereignty rather than rely on their own understanding.

whether it is good or bad
This phrase emphasizes the irrelevance of the animal's condition in the context of the tithe. The Hebrew words for "good" (טוֹב, tov) and "bad" (רַע, ra) are often used to describe moral and physical qualities. Here, they highlight that the value of the offering is not determined by human standards but by the act of obedience itself. This teaching aligns with the biblical principle that God values the heart and intention behind the offering more than the material quality, as seen in the account of the widow's mite (Mark 12:41-44).

nor shall he make any substitution
The prohibition against substitution underscores the importance of integrity in worship. The Hebrew root for "substitution" (חָלִיף, chalif) suggests an exchange or replacement. This command prevents the temptation to offer something less valuable or less desirable in place of what was originally designated. It serves as a reminder that offerings to God should be given with sincerity and without deceit, reflecting a heart fully devoted to Him.

But if he does make a substitution
This conditional clause acknowledges human fallibility and the possibility of disobedience. It serves as a warning that any attempt to circumvent God's command will not succeed. The structure of this clause in Hebrew suggests a hypothetical situation, emphasizing the seriousness of adhering to God's instructions. It reflects the biblical theme of accountability, where actions have consequences, and God's standards are not to be taken lightly.

both the animal and its substitute shall become holy
The declaration that both the original animal and its substitute become holy highlights the inviolability of what is consecrated to God. The Hebrew word for "holy" (קָדוֹשׁ, kadosh) signifies something set apart for divine purposes. This principle reinforces the idea that once something is dedicated to God, it cannot be reclaimed for secular use. It serves as a powerful reminder of the sanctity of offerings and the seriousness of vows made to God.

they cannot be redeemed
The final phrase, "they cannot be redeemed," indicates that once an offering is made, it cannot be bought back or exchanged. The Hebrew concept of redemption (גָּאַל, ga'al) involves reclaiming something through payment. This stipulation underscores the irrevocable nature of commitments made to God. It reflects the broader biblical narrative of redemption, where God's promises and covenants are binding and eternal. This teaching encourages believers to approach their commitments to God with reverence and sincerity, recognizing the lasting impact of their devotion.

(33) He shall not search whether it be good or bad.--That is, the owner is not to pick out the good ones from the bad, but, as described above, is to mark every tenth one as it comes out of the fold as belonging to the Lord.

And if he change it at all.--See Leviticus 27:10.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He must not
לֹ֧א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

inspect
יְבַקֵּ֛ר (yə·ḇaq·qêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1239: To plough, break forth, to inspect, admire, care for, consider

whether it is good
ט֥וֹב (ṭō·wḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

or
בֵּֽין־ (bên-)
Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

bad,
לָרַ֖ע (lā·ra‘)
Preposition-l, Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

and he shall not
וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

make any substitution.
יְמִירֶ֑נּוּ (yə·mî·ren·nū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4171: To alter, to barter, to dispose of

But if
וְאִם־ (wə·’im-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

he does make a substitution,
הָמֵ֣ר (hā·mêr)
Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 4171: To alter, to barter, to dispose of

both the animal
ה֧וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

and its substitute
וּתְמוּרָת֛וֹ (ū·ṯə·mū·rā·ṯōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8545: Barter, compensation

shall become
וְהָֽיָה־ (wə·hā·yāh-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

holy;
קֹ֖דֶשׁ (qō·ḏeš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity

they cannot
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

be redeemed.’”
יִגָּאֵֽל׃ (yig·gā·’êl)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1350: To redeem, act as kinsman


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OT Law: Leviticus 27:33 He shall not search whether it (Le Lv Lev.)
Leviticus 27:32
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