Leviticus 27:33 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 27:33 mean?

Leviticus 27:33 says that when someone sets apart animals as holy to the Lord, they must not pick and choose between good or bad animals or try to swap one for another; if they do try to exchange, both the original animal and the replacement become holy and cannot be bought back. This rule prevents people from keeping the best animals for themselves and giving God only what they do not want.

In Leviticus 27, God is giving Moses instructions for the Israelites about making vows and dedicating things to God, including animals. This verse specifically addresses the process of tithing animals, making clear that the selection must be left to chance (often by letting animals pass under a rod) and not human preference. The verse emphasizes fairness and integrity in offerings, showing that once something is dedicated, it belongs fully to God.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 27:33

• בָּקַר (baqar, "search"): This word means to examine or inspect. Here, it means the person must not inspect the animals to decide which is better or worse before dedicating.
• טוֹב (tov, "good") and רַע (ra‘, "bad"): These words mean "good" and "bad" in quality. The verse insists that both high-quality and low-quality animals are equally eligible for dedication, preventing favoritism.
• יָמִיר (yamir, "change"): This verb means to exchange or substitute. The verse uses it to make clear that attempts to swap animals are not allowed, and if someone does, both animals become holy.
• קָדוֹשׁ (qadosh, "holy"): This word means set apart for God. Once an animal is dedicated, it is fully set apart and cannot be reclaimed.
• גָּאַל (ga’al, "redeemed"): This means to buy back. The verse stresses that neither the original nor the substitute animal can be bought back once dedicated.

Why Leviticus 27:33 matters

• Leviticus 27:33 clarifies that offerings to God must be given honestly, without trying to manipulate which animals are given or kept.
• The verse highlights the seriousness of making vows and dedicating things to God, showing that such decisions are binding and not to be taken lightly.
• This rule fits into the larger context of Leviticus 27, which is about treating what is dedicated to God with respect and not trying to take back what has been given.