Topical Bible: Dedication: Law Concerning Dedicated Things

◄ Dedication: Law Concerning Dedicated Things ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, the concept of dedication refers to the act of setting apart persons, animals, or objects for a sacred purpose, often as an offering to God. This practice is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where specific laws and regulations were established to govern the dedication of various items to the Lord.

Biblical Foundation

The primary scriptural basis for the laws concerning dedicated things is found in the Book of Leviticus, particularly in chapter 27. This chapter outlines the procedures and valuations for items dedicated to the Lord, including people, animals, houses, and fields. The dedication of these items was a voluntary act, often made in fulfillment of a vow or as an expression of gratitude and devotion to God.

Valuation and Redemption

Leviticus 27 provides detailed instructions on how to assess the value of dedicated items. For example, if a person dedicated a field to the Lord, the priest would determine its value based on the amount of seed required to sow it (Leviticus 27:16). The valuation was typically based on the Jubilee cycle, with adjustments made depending on the number of years remaining until the next Jubilee.

The law also allowed for the redemption of dedicated items. If the original owner wished to redeem a dedicated item, they were required to pay the assessed value plus an additional fifth (20%) of that value (Leviticus 27:13, 27:31). This provision underscored the seriousness of dedication while allowing for flexibility in certain circumstances.

Restrictions and Exceptions

Certain items, once dedicated, could not be redeemed or sold. For instance, anything that a person irrevocably devoted to the Lord, such as a person or an animal, was considered "most holy" and could not be redeemed (Leviticus 27:28). Additionally, the firstborn of animals, which already belonged to the Lord, could not be dedicated since they were inherently holy (Leviticus 27:26).

Theological Significance

The laws concerning dedication highlight the importance of holiness and the recognition of God's sovereignty over all aspects of life. By dedicating items to the Lord, the Israelites acknowledged that everything they possessed ultimately belonged to Him. This act of dedication was a tangible expression of faith and trust in God's provision and care.

New Testament Perspective

While the New Testament does not provide specific laws concerning the dedication of material items, the principle of dedicating one's life to God is emphasized. Believers are called to present themselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1). This spiritual dedication reflects a heart fully committed to the Lord, echoing the Old Testament practice of setting apart what is valuable for God's purposes.

In summary, the law concerning dedicated things in the Old Testament served as a means for the Israelites to express their devotion and commitment to God. Through the act of dedication, they recognized God's ultimate authority and demonstrated their willingness to honor Him with their possessions and lives.

Nave's Topical Index

Leviticus 27:1
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 18:14
Every thing devoted in Israel shall be yours.
Nave's Topical Index

1 Chronicles 26:26,27
Which Shelomith and his brothers were over all the treasures of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the chief fathers, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the host, had dedicated.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Dedication
... deliverance of Israel from Egypt, the dedication of the ... Thus the law for the
presentation of the first ... came in and confirmed Simeon's testimony concerning Christ ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 5 the dedication.htm

Concerning the Embassage of the Jews to Caius; and How Caius Sent ...
... CHAPTER 8. Concerning The Embassage Of The Jews To Caius; And ... the regard that is
due to your law; which as ... thou wilt no longer think of the dedication of that ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 concerning the embassage.htm

Concerning Sacerdotal Consecrations.
... the Divine Institution uniquely assigned the dedication of the ... Thus Moses, the
consecrator under the Law, does not ... Now concerning the Divine lot, which fell as ...
/.../dionysius/ecclesiastical hierarchy/caput v i concerning sacerdotal.htm

At the Feast of the Dedication of the Temple.
... days on the anniversary of its Dedication.' [4389] The ... and convey to us assurance
concerning Him rather ... alone would, according to Rabbinic law, have warranted ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xiv at the feast.htm

Letter clxvii . To Rusticus, Bishop of Gallia Narbonensis, with ...
... repentance, if they begin to go to law in the ... Concerning young women who have worn
the religious habit ... even though they have not received dedication: of which ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter clxvii to rusticus.htm

the life of constantine
... respecting Childless Persons, and of the Law of Wills ... to Eusebius, in praise of his
Discourse concerning Easter ... all the Provinces attended the Dedication of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pamphilius/the life of constantine/

John Chapter x. 22-42
... new; and whenever there was some new dedication, it was ... be fulfilled which were written
in the law, and the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me." [957 ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xlviii john chapter x.htm

This Letter was Written to Accompany the Publication of Sermon 221 ...
... Be not fretful concerning this delay: accept it as an ... It is written in the law,
"No devoted thing that a ... his first vows of unreserved self-dedication"if ye ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/this letter was written to.htm

Temporal Advantages.
... most sublime and affecting prayer at the Dedication of the ... chastenest, and teachest
him out of Thy law[7]." Even ... From what I have said concerning the danger of ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon v temporal advantages.htm

The Later Hebrew Histories.
... which the people bound themselves to keep the law; the narrative of the dedication
of the ... two other books of this last group, concerning which there ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter vi the later hebrew.htm