Leviticus 27:31 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 27:31 mean?

Leviticus 27:31 says that an Israelite could keep some of the produce set apart as a tenth by paying its value plus an extra fifth. For example, produce valued at 100 units would require a payment of 120 units.

The verse follows the description of a tenth of the land’s produce as belonging to the Lord. God gives this instruction through Moses for the people of Israel. The KJV word “ought” means “anything” or “any part” here.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 27:31

• “redeem” — גָּאַל (gaʾal): This word can mean to buy back or reclaim something. Here it describes a way to retain produce that had been set apart.
• “tithes” — מַעֲשֵׂר (maʿaser): This word means a tenth. The word points to a portion of the produce rather than a separate kind of crop.

Why Leviticus 27:31 matters

• The extra fifth applies to the portion a person chooses to reclaim. The verse says “if a man” redeems “ought of his tithes,” allowing for less than the whole amount.
• The rule concerns produce from the land. The previous verse names seed and fruit, while the following verses deal separately with animals from the herd or flock.