Leviticus 27:21 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 27:21 mean?

Leviticus 27:21 says that when a field someone has dedicated to God is released in the Year of Jubilee, it becomes holy to the LORD and is treated as a field that is fully devoted; at that point, the field becomes the property of the priests. This means the original owner cannot buy it back, and it is set apart for God’s service through the priests.

In this verse, God is giving instructions to the Israelites through Moses about what happens to land that has been pledged to God and not redeemed before the Year of Jubilee. The Year of Jubilee was a special time every fifty years when property returned to its original family owners, but land devoted to God was an exception—it became the priests’ permanent possession. This rule underlined the seriousness of dedicating something to God and showed that such offerings were not to be taken back lightly.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 27:21

• "Jubile" (יֹבֵל, yovel) refers to the special fiftieth year when debts were forgiven and land returned to original families. Here, it marks a turning point when the field’s status changes permanently.
• "Holy" (קֹדֶשׁ, qodesh) means set apart for God. The field is no longer ordinary property but is considered sacred, emphasizing its new purpose.
• "Devoted" (חֵרֶם, cherem) describes something given over completely to God, often with no possibility of reclaiming it. This word signals that the field is now entirely God’s, beyond personal ownership.
• "Priest's" (כֹּהֵן, kohen) shows that the field becomes the priests’ possession, supporting their service and livelihood, since they did not receive tribal land like the other Israelites.

Why Leviticus 27:21 matters

• Leviticus 27:21 clarifies that dedicating something to God, especially land, was a binding act with lasting consequences, not a temporary arrangement.
• The verse highlights the special role of the priests, who depended on such gifts for their support, since they did not inherit land like other tribes.
• This rule connects to the broader theme of holiness and devotion in Leviticus, showing that what is given to God is truly set apart and not to be reclaimed for personal use.