And thy estimation shall be of the male from twenty years old even unto sixty years old, even thy estimation shall be fifty shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary.
LEVITICUS 27:3KJVWhat does Leviticus 27:3 mean?
Leviticus 27:3 sets the value for a male between twenty and sixty years old who is dedicated to the Lord by a vow, stating that the estimated value is fifty shekels of silver, measured by the sanctuary standard. This valuation is part of a system for redeeming people or things that have been promised to God.
In this verse, God is giving Moses instructions for the Israelites about making vows involving people. The context is about dedicating someone to God’s service or support and then determining how much money should be given instead if the person is not physically given. The “estimation” refers to a set value, not a personal worth, and uses the sanctuary’s official weight for silver to keep things fair and consistent.
The Hebrew behind Leviticus 27:3
- אֶרְכְּךָ (’erkekha, H6187, "estimation"): This word means an assigned value or assessment, not a judgment of a person’s inherent worth. It is a technical term for the amount to be paid if someone is dedicated by vow.
- זָכָר (zakhar, H2145, "male"): The verse specifically refers to a male, as different values were set for different ages and genders in this system.
- שֶׁקֶל (sheqel, H8255, "shekel"): The shekel was a standard unit of weight for silver, and the “shekel of the sanctuary” (שֶׁקֶל הַקֹּדֶשׁ, sheqel haqqodesh, H8255 + H6944) refers to the official standard used in the tabernacle, ensuring fairness.
- כֶּסֶף (kesef, H3701, "silver"): The payment was to be made in silver, which was the common currency and a symbol of value in ancient Israel.
Why Leviticus 27:3 matters
- Leviticus 27:3 clarifies that the valuation system was about fulfilling vows in a fair, standardized way, not about a person’s spiritual or personal value.
- The verse shows that the sanctuary had its own official standards for weights and measures, which helped prevent disputes or unfairness.
- Understanding this verse helps make sense of the rest of Leviticus 27, which details how vows and dedications could be redeemed and how the community managed these promises to God.