Leviticus 27:6
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Even in infancy, the Law recognizes a distinct value for males and females, with males being rated higher. This isn't about worth in God's eyes, but rather a reflection of societal understanding where male potential for service and societal contribution was perceived differently.
If the person is from a month old up to five years old, the valuation shall be for a male five shekels of silver, and for a female the valuation shall be three shekels of silver.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This chapter, Leviticus 27, deals with the valuation and redemption of persons or things vowed to the Lord. Following discussions on redeeming adults and older children, this section specifies the silver payment required if a very young child (from one month to five years old) is vowed. The text then goes on to detail valuations for older age groups, showing a tiered system based on age and sex.
Imagine dedicating your very young child to God's service. What would that commitment look like?
Leviticus 27 outlines a system for people to dedicate themselves or others to God's service. This passage specifically addresses children.
Valuing the Vulnerable
Even at the earliest stages of life – from just one month old up to five years – a monetary value was assigned if a child was dedicated to the sanctuary. This wasn't about buying a child, but about establishing a redemption price.
A Parent's Commitment
If a parent, or even someone else, vowed a child, a set amount was to be paid to the sanctuary to redeem that child. This highlights the profound seriousness with which vows and dedications were taken in ancient Israel, extending even to the littlest among them.
Why would the value assigned be different for boys and girls?
The text assigns different silver values: five shekels for a male child and three shekels for a female child.
Assigned Worth
This difference in valuation wasn't about inherent worth or love. God loves both boys and girls equally. Instead, it reflected the societal understanding of the time concerning potential contribution and the desirability of life within that culture.
Acknowledging Roles
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Males, in the ancient Israelite context, were generally seen as having greater societal responsibilities and potentially contributing more economically to a household or the community through labor. The valuation reflected these perceived differences in roles and future capacity, not a difference in God's affection or acceptance.
Understand the original words
sheqel · Hebrew Noun
A standard unit of weight, often used for silver or gold, serving as the primary currency or monetary value in the ancient Near East and Old Testament.
This passage speaks to the consecration of the firstborn, a concept related to dedicating the young to God, though Leviticus 27 distinguishes between vows and the inherent status of firstborn.
Numbers 3:45-48It details the redemption of the Israelite firstborn sons by the Levites, highlighting a system of valuation and substitution that parallels the redemption price mentioned in Leviticus.
1 Samuel 1:11Hannah's vow for a son and her promise to dedicate him to the Lord's service directly illustrates the principle of consecrating children, which Leviticus 27 provides a framework for.
1 Corinthians 6:20This New Testament passage broadens the concept of consecration, stating believers are bought with a price and belong to God, echoing the idea that individuals have a value and are dedicated to Him.
gillLeviticus 27:6: "And if it be from a month old even unto five years old, then thy estimation shall be of the male five shekels of silver, and for the female thy estimation shall be three shekels of silver."
And if it be from a month old even unto five years old,.... That is, if a man devotes his child to the Lord within such an age, and says, the estimation of this my son or my daughter be upon me, then he was to pay the value, as next directed; for one under a month old no estimation was to be…
pooleLeviticus 27:6: "And if it be from a month old even unto five years old, then thy estimation shall be of the male five shekels of silver, and for the female thy estimation shall be three shekels of silver."
No text from Poole on this verse.
Even in infancy, the Law recognizes a distinct value for males and females, with males being rated higher. This isn't about worth in God's eyes, but rather a reflection of societal understanding where male potential for service and societal contribution was perceived differently.
This chapter, Leviticus 27, deals with the valuation and redemption of persons or things vowed to the Lord. Following discussions on redeeming adults and older children, this section specifies the silver payment required if a very young child (from one month to five years old) is vowed. The text then goes on to detail valuations for older age groups, showing a tiered system based on age and sex.
This chapter, Leviticus 27, deals with the valuation and redemption of persons or things vowed to the Lord. Following discussions on redeeming adults and older children, this section specifies the silver payment required if a very young child (from one month to five years old) is vowed. The text then goes on to detail valuations for older age groups, showing a tiered system based on age and sex.
"If the person is from a month old up to five years old, the valuation shall be for a male five shekels of silver, and for a female the valuation shall be three shekels of silver." — Even in infancy, the Law recognizes a distinct value for males and females, with males being rated higher. This isn't about worth in God's eyes, but rather a reflection of societal understanding wher…
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Last reviewed October 2026
