Leviticus 27:19 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 27:19 mean?

Leviticus 27:19 explains that if someone who has dedicated a field to God wants to buy it back, he must pay the estimated value plus an extra one-fifth of that amount. This payment ensures that the field is permanently his again.

In this verse, God is giving instructions to Moses for the Israelites about redeeming property that has been set apart as holy. The context is about making vows and dedicating things to God, including land. The rule is meant to discourage people from making rash vows and then quickly reversing them, by requiring an added payment to redeem what was dedicated.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 27:19

• "sanctified" (קָדַשׁ, qadash): This word means to set apart as holy or dedicated to God. Here, it refers to someone formally dedicating a field to God’s service.
• "redeem" / "wise" (גָּאַל, ga'al): Both "redeem" and "wise" come from the same Hebrew root, meaning to buy back or reclaim something that was given up. This shows that the act of redeeming is a legal and personal transaction.
• "add" (יָסַף, yasaf): This word means to increase or add. The instruction to add a fifth part stresses that redeeming what was dedicated comes with an extra cost.
• "fifth" (חֲמִישִׁית, chamishit): This specifies the amount to be added—twenty percent more than the original value—making the redemption costly and significant.

Why Leviticus 27:19 matters

• Leviticus 27:19 clarifies that dedicating something to God was a serious act, not to be taken lightly or reversed without consequence.
• The extra payment required for redemption highlights the value placed on vows and offerings in Israelite worship, discouraging insincere or impulsive promises.
• This verse fits into a larger section about vows and dedications, showing how the law balanced generosity toward God with personal responsibility and fairness.