Leviticus 27:5 (KJV)

What does Leviticus 27:5 mean?

Leviticus 27:5 sets the value for a person between five and twenty years old who is being dedicated to the Lord by a vow: twenty shekels of silver for a male, and ten shekels for a female. This value is not about a person’s worth, but a set amount for fulfilling a vow made to God in the context of the tabernacle or temple.

In this section, God is speaking to Moses, giving instructions for the Israelites about how to handle vows involving people. The context is about making special promises to dedicate someone to God’s service, and the value helps standardize what people should give if they make such a vow. The amounts reflect the customs and economy of ancient Israel, not a statement about personal value.

The Hebrew behind Leviticus 27:5

• The word for "estimation" is עֵרֶךְ (ʿerekh), which means an assigned value or assessment. This shows the verse is about a set, official amount, not a judgment of a person’s inherent worth.
• "Shekels" is שֶׁקֶל (sheqel), a standard unit of silver used for weighing out payment. Knowing this helps clarify that the passage is about a financial offering, not servitude or slavery.
• The terms for "male" (זָכָר, zakhar) and "female" (נְקֵבָה, neqevah) are straightforward, but the different amounts reflect the economic realities and roles in ancient Israelite society.

Why Leviticus 27:5 matters

• This verse clears up the misconception that the Bible is assigning a person’s value as a human being; instead, it is about a standard donation for fulfilling a vow.
• The verse shows that the law provided clear, fair guidelines so that people could fulfill vows without confusion or unfairness.
• Understanding this verse helps make sense of the wider passage, which sets out different amounts for different ages and situations, showing the practical side of Israel’s worship and community life.