Every valuation shall be according to the shekel of the sanctuary: twenty gerahs shall make a shekel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Leviticus 27:25
What does Leviticus 27:25 mean?
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Leviticus 27:25
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This verse reveals that even in ancient Israel, there was a divine standard for value – the "shekel of the sanctuary." This wasn't just a unit of money; it was a reminder that all our estimations, our personal values and what we deem worthy, should be measured against God's own holy standard, not just common practice or personal whim.
Every valuation shall be according to the shekel of the sanctuary: twenty gerahs shall make a shekel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage concludes the instructions in Leviticus 27, which deal with dedicating persons, animals, houses, or fields to the Lord through vows. After detailing how valuations are to be made and what happens if someone wants to redeem their vow, this verse establishes the official standard of currency for all such transactions. The "shekel of the sanctuary" was the official weight and measure used in the tabernacle and later the temple, ensuring fairness and consistency when people fulfilled their sacred promises.
Ever wonder why God cares about specific measurements? In Leviticus, He's setting a standard that matters for more than just money.
This verse introduces the 'shekel of the sanctuary.' Think of it like the official, pure gold standard from a government mint. It wasn't just any old weight; it was the precise, true measure kept in God's dwelling place.
Why the Sanctuary Standard?
God uses even the smallest units to build His perfect system. What can we learn from these tiny 'gerahs'?
The verse breaks down the shekel into twenty smaller units called gerahs. This shows God's attention to detail.
The Power of Small Things:
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Understand the original words
sheqel · Hebrew Noun
A standard weight used in the ancient Near East, specifically designated as the official weight for transactions and offerings within the tabernacle or temple precincts to ensure integrity and fairness.
miqdash · Hebrew Noun
The central dwelling place of God’s presence among His people, representing the place where offerings are brought and divine law is administered.
This passage explains that the 'sanctuary shekel' was a specific standard of weight used for offerings and temple assessments, directly relating to the valuation system mentioned in Leviticus 27:25.
Numbers 3:47This verse uses the same sanctuary shekel as the basis for valuing individuals (in this case, the firstborn males) for redemption, highlighting its consistent use in the Israelite system of valuation and consecration.
Ezekiel 45:12Centuries later, Ezekiel reiterates the standard weights and measures, including the shekel and its subdivisions, showing the enduring importance of this fixed system for justice and worship in God's dealings with His people.
Matthew 17:24Jesus and Peter discuss the temple tax, which was also paid in shekels of the sanctuary, demonstrating how this ancient system of valuation and monetary tribute continued to be relevant in the time of the New Testament.
ellicottLeviticus 27:25: "And all thy estimations shall be according to the shekel of the sanctuary: twenty gerahs shall be the shekel."
(25) According to the shekel of the sanctuary. —As the proceeds of these vows were devoted to the maintenance and repair of the sanctuary, all the valuations are to be made and paid according to the standard weight of the sanctuary shekel. (See Exodus 30:13 .)
barnesLeviticus 27:25: "And all thy estimations shall be according to the shekel of the sanctuary: twenty gerahs shall be the shekel."
On the shekel and the gerah, see Exodus 30:13 , note; Exodus 38:24 , note.
This verse reveals that even in ancient Israel, there was a divine standard for value – the "shekel of the sanctuary." This wasn't just a unit of money; it was a reminder that all our estimations, our personal values and what we deem worthy, should be measured against God's own holy standard, not just common practice or personal whim.
This passage concludes the instructions in Leviticus 27, which deal with dedicating persons, animals, houses, or fields to the Lord through vows. After detailing how valuations are to be made and what happens if someone wants to redeem their vow, this verse establishes the official standard of currency for all such transactions. The "shekel of the sanctuary" was the official weight and measure used in the tabernacle and later the temple, ensuring fairness and consistency when people fulfilled their sacred promises.
This passage concludes the instructions in Leviticus 27, which deal with dedicating persons, animals, houses, or fields to the Lord through vows. After detailing how valuations are to be made and what happens if someone wants to redeem their vow, this verse establishes the official standard of currency for all such transactions. The "shekel of the sanctuary" was the official weight and measure used in the tabernacle and later the temple, ensuring fairness and consistency when people fulfilled their sacred promises.
"Every valuation shall be according to the shekel of the sanctuary: twenty gerahs shall make a shekel." — This verse reveals that even in ancient Israel, there was a divine standard for value – the "shekel of the sanctuary." This wasn't just a unit of money; it was a reminder that all our estimations, ou…
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Last reviewed October 2026