Leviticus 27:28-29
“But no devoted thing that a man devotes to the LORD, of anything that he has, whether man or beast, or of his inherited field, shall be sold or redeemed; every devoted thing is most holy to the LORD. No one devoted, who is to be devoted for destruction from mankind, shall be ransomed; he shall surely be put to death.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse highlights a crucial distinction: the "devoted thing" (cherem) wasn't just a regular vow; it carried a solemnity that made it absolutely unredeemable and un-saleable. It was considered "most holy," meaning it was irrevocably set apart for God's use, completely removed from human transaction.
This chapter is addressing special vows, outlining what happens when someone dedicates property or even people to the Lord. While previous verses discuss items that can be redeemed, this section shifts to what's called a "devoted thing," which is so sacred it cannot be sold or bought back. This absolute dedication, especially when applied to people, is treated with extreme gravity and is irreversible.
What does it mean to totally set something aside for God, so much so that it can never be returned or used for anything else?
Leviticus 27:28 introduces a concept called the 'cherem' (a word that means something devoted or banned). Unlike other vows where people might dedicate possessions and later redeem them with a fee, a 'cherem' is absolute.
Irrevocable and Inalienable
When someone devoted something to the LORD as a 'cherem,' it was completely cut off from common use. This applied to possessions, animals, and even, in specific contexts, people. It couldn't be sold back to the original owner, nor could it be exchanged for something else. This wasn't a negotiable agreement; it was a final, solemn commitment.
If something is 'most holy' to God, who gets to use it, and what does that mean for everyone else?
The verse states that anything devoted as a 'cherem' is 'most holy to the LORD.' This designation had significant implications for its handling and use.
Restricted Access
'Most holy' things in the Old Testament were generally reserved for the priests to use or administer. They were not to be treated like ordinary property. This meant that even the person who made the vow could not reclaim or use what they had given. It was permanently set apart, with a sacred purpose dictated by God, often implying it was to be given entirely to the sanctuary or its ministers.
The idea of dedicating a person to God sounds intense. What did this mean in ancient Israel, and why was it so different from other vows?
Leviticus 27:28-29 specifically addresses the devotion of people. It's crucial to understand that this was not a general permission for private individuals to sacrifice their family members. Instead, it primarily referred to those already under divine judgment or condemnation.
Understand the original words
cherem · Hebrew Noun
A term describing property or persons irrevocably set apart for God's exclusive use or judgment. Unlike other offerings, these cannot be bought back, indicating their complete and final surrender to the divine will.
qodesh qodashim · Hebrew Noun phrase
A status indicating something is set apart exclusively for God's use and presence. It must be treated with utmost reverence, as it is separated from common use and belongs entirely to the sacred sphere.
muth · Hebrew Verb
The legal requirement of removing a life from the community as an act of divine judgment. It involves complete separation from the world and surrender to the justice of God.
This passage describes the Israelites utterly destroying a city and its inhabitants, dedicating them as 'devoted things' (cherem) to the LORD, illustrating the absolute and unredeemable nature of such vows, especially concerning people.
1 Samuel 15:21Saul's disobedience in sparing the best of the livestock from the Amalekites, which were to be 'devoted things,' shows the seriousness of this type of vow and the severe consequences of failing to uphold it.
Judges 11:30-40Jephthah's rash vow to devote whomever came out of his house first to the LORD illustrates the potential tragedy of a 'devoted thing' vow, particularly when it involved a person, and highlights the concept of irrevocable dedication.
Joshua 6:17-19The destruction of Jericho as a 'devoted thing' (cherem) provides a stark example of the complete prohibition of redemption or sale for any part of the devoted city, with only the silver and gold being purified for the Lord's treasury.
gillLeviticus 27:28: "Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall devote unto the LORD of all that he hath, both of man and beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed: every devoted thing is most holy unto the LORD."
Notwithstanding, no devoted thing that a man shall devote unto the Lord,.... This is a different vow from the former, expressed by "sanctifying"; for though "sanctifying" and "devoting" were both vows, yet the latter had an execration or curse added to…
pulpitLeviticus 27:28: "Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall devote unto the LORD of all that he hath, both of man and beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed: every devoted thing is most holy unto the LORD."
Verses 28, 29. - Whatever is already cherem (a word here first used as a term well understood), that is, devoted to God, whether devoted for the purpose of destruction or of entire surrender to him, may be neither redeemed nor sold. Whether it be of man…
This verse highlights a crucial distinction: the "devoted thing" (cherem) wasn't just a regular vow; it carried a solemnity that made it absolutely unredeemable and un-saleable. It was considered "most holy," meaning it was irrevocably set apart for God's use, completely removed from human transaction.
This chapter is addressing special vows, outlining what happens when someone dedicates property or even people to the Lord. While previous verses discuss items that can be redeemed, this section shifts to what's called a "devoted thing," which is so sacred it cannot be sold or bought back. This absolute dedication, especially when applied to people, is treated with extreme gravity and is irreversible.
This chapter is addressing special vows, outlining what happens when someone dedicates property or even people to the Lord. While previous verses discuss items that can be redeemed, this section shifts to what's called a "devoted thing," which is so sacred it cannot be sold or bought back. This absolute dedication, especially when applied to people, is treated with extreme gravity and is irreversible.
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Judgment and Irrevocability
When a person was devoted as a 'cherem,' it meant they were irrevocably set aside. For those already marked for destruction due to severe sin or enemy status (like the Canaanites), this vow was an acknowledgment of their fate. Unlike animals or property, a devoted person was not to be redeemed but was 'surely to be put to death.' This was a grim aspect of the law, often carried out by the community or magistrates, signifying the absolute finality of God’s judgment in certain extreme cases.
"“But no devoted thing that a man devotes to the LORD, of anything that he has, whether man or beast, or of his inherited field, shall be sold or redeemed; every devoted thing is most holy to the LORD. No one devoted, who is to be devoted f…" — This verse highlights a crucial distinction: the "devoted thing" (cherem) wasn't just a regular vow; it carried a solemnity that made it absolutely unredeemable and un-saleable. It was considered "mo…
