Leviticus 27:13
If, however, the owner decides to redeem the animal, he must add a fifth to its value.
If, however, the owner decides to redeem the animal,
In the context of Leviticus 27, this phrase refers to the laws concerning vows and dedications to the Lord. The chapter outlines how individuals could dedicate people, animals, houses, and fields to God. The owner here is someone who has dedicated an animal to the Lord but now wishes to reclaim it. This reflects the ancient Israelite practice of making vows and the importance of fulfilling them. The concept of redemption is significant throughout Scripture, symbolizing the act of reclaiming or buying back something that was given up. This can be seen as a type of Christ, who redeems humanity.

he must add a fifth to its value.
The requirement to add a fifth (20%) to the animal's value if the owner wishes to redeem it underscores the seriousness of making a vow to God. This additional cost serves as a deterrent against making rash vows and emphasizes the sanctity of commitments made to the Lord. The principle of adding a fifth is consistent with other Levitical laws, such as in Leviticus 5:16, where restitution for a guilt offering also required an additional fifth. This reflects God's justice and the importance of integrity in worship. The concept of redemption with an added cost can be seen as a foreshadowing of the ultimate redemption through Christ, who paid the full price for humanity's sins.

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, forming the covenant community of God.

3. Animal
Refers to the animals that could be vowed to the Lord and then redeemed by the owner.

4. Tabernacle
The place where offerings and vows were made, serving as the center of worship for the Israelites.

5. Priests
The mediators between God and the Israelites, responsible for overseeing the fulfillment of vows and offerings.
Teaching Points
Understanding Redemption
The concept of redemption in Leviticus 27:13 illustrates the cost of reclaiming what is dedicated to God. It reminds us of the ultimate redemption through Christ, who paid the price for our sins.

Value of Commitment
Adding a fifth to the value signifies the importance of fulfilling commitments to God. It teaches us to honor our promises and be faithful stewards of what we dedicate to Him.

Holiness in Offerings
The requirement to add a fifth underscores the holiness of offerings made to God. It calls us to approach our worship and service with reverence and sincerity.

Principle of Restitution
The law of adding a fifth reflects the broader biblical principle of restitution, encouraging us to make amends and restore what is due in our relationships with others.

Integrity in Worship
This passage challenges us to examine our motives and integrity in worship, ensuring that our offerings and vows are genuine expressions of devotion to God.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of redemption in Leviticus 27:13 relate to the New Testament understanding of redemption through Christ?

2. What does the requirement to add a fifth to the value teach us about the seriousness of our commitments to God?

3. In what ways can we apply the principle of restitution in our daily lives and relationships?

4. How can we ensure that our worship and offerings to God are sincere and not merely ritualistic?

5. Reflect on a time when you made a vow or commitment to God. How did you fulfill it, and what did you learn from the experience?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 5:15-16
Discusses the concept of restitution and adding a fifth to the value, similar to the redemption process in Leviticus 27:13.

Numbers 18:15-16
Provides further instructions on the redemption of firstborn animals, emphasizing the addition of a fifth to the value.

Psalm 50:14
Encourages offering thanksgiving and fulfilling vows to God, highlighting the importance of sincerity in worship.

Matthew 5:33-37
Jesus teaches about the seriousness of making vows, urging honesty and integrity in commitments.
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
A Vow FulfilledMemoir of Sir Francis Crossley.Leviticus 27:2-13
A Vow KeptElihu Burritt.Leviticus 27:2-13
Brittle VowsJ. Spencer.Leviticus 27:2-13
Influence of a Singular VowPresident Lincoln.Leviticus 27:2-13
Laws Concerning VowsF. W. Brown.Leviticus 27:2-13
Philip Henry's VowC. Bullock.Leviticus 27:2-13
The Extraordinary in the Service of GodHenry, MatthewLeviticus 27:2-13
The Provisions of Righteousness and GraceC. H. Mackintosh.Leviticus 27:2-13
The Redemption of a Singular VowRobert Spurgeon.Leviticus 27:2-13
The Singular VowH. Christopherson.Leviticus 27:2-13
People
Israelites, Moses
Places
Mount Sinai
Topics
Add, Added, Animal, Desire, Estimation, Fifth, Indeed, One-fifth, Owner, Really, Redeem, Thereof, Valuation, Value, Wise, Wish, Wishes
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 27:13

     1657   numbers, fractions
     6721   redemption, in life

Leviticus 27:1-25

     5741   vows

Leviticus 27:1-27

     8223   dedication

Leviticus 27:1-33

     6714   ransom

Leviticus 27:9-13

     4605   animals, religious role

Leviticus 27:11-13

     7340   clean and unclean

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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