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 27:3KJV
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Leviticus 27:3 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“estimation” Hebrew H6187 · used in 29 verses

  • Exodus 40:4 And thou shalt bring in the table, and set in order the things that are to be set in order upon it; and thou shalt bring in the candlestick, and light the lamps thereof.
  • Leviticus 27:7 And if it be from sixty years old and above; if it be a male, then thy estimation shall be fifteen shekels, and for the female ten shekels.
  • Leviticus 27:23 Then the priest shall reckon unto him the worth of thy estimation, even unto the year of the jubile: and he shall give thine estimation in that day, as a holy thing unto the LORD.

“shekels” Hebrew H8255 · used in 54 verses

  • Genesis 23:15 My lord, hearken unto me: the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.
  • Numbers 3:47 Thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by the poll, after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them:(the shekel is twenty gerahs:)
  • Joshua 7:21 When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.

“sixty” Hebrew H8346 · used in 56 verses

  • Genesis 5:15 And Mahalaleel lived sixty and five years, and begat Jared:
  • Numbers 31:39 And the asses were thirty thousand and five hundred; of which the LORD'S tribute was threescore and one.
  • 2 Chronicles 12:3 With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen: and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians.

“male” Hebrew H2145 · used in 80 verses

  • Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
  • Leviticus 12:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean.
  • Deuteronomy 4:16 Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female,