LEVITICUS 27. This chapter must be regarded as a portion of the later priestly legislation, distinct from H. It follows the definite close of H in Leviticus 26:46, and it is a purely business-like treatment of the priestly income (_cf. Leviticus 10:12_). For the position of the priest as authoritati... [ Continue Reading ]
COMMUTATION FOR A PERSON. Where an individual vows himself or herself to Yahweh (_cf._ Judges 11:30 f., 1 Samuel 1:28) the commutation price will vary in proportion to the valuation of his or her labour; for a man in the prime of life this will amount to 50 sacred silver shekels (_cf._ thirty pieces... [ Continue Reading ]
COMMUTATION FOR AN ANIMAL. An animal once vowed is treated as holy; any attempt to substitute another less valuable renders the second holy (and forfeit) also. An unclean animal cannot be directly offered for sacrifice; it must, therefore, be sold and the price paid to the Temple; if the owner wishe... [ Continue Reading ]
LEVITICUS 27:14 F. For a house, the same principle holds good; the price is offered to the Temple funds.... [ Continue Reading ]
COMMUTATION FOR LAND. In this case the question of the interval before Jubile arises, as, in the case of a man, the period when he will be past work (Leviticus 27:7). The standard taken is the sowing of a homer of barley, which is regarded as equivalent to the labour of a man in his prime, about £ 7... [ Continue Reading ]
26F. FOR FIRSTLINGS. Firstlings of oxen and sheep and goats) belong to Yahweh in any case, and thus cannot be voluntarily offered or come under valuation (_cf._ Deuteronomy 23:21). Animals that fall outside this category are treated according to the rule in Leviticus 27:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
28F. THE BAN.Devoted things are things dedicated to God without possibility of redemption, _i.e._ put under the ban and not to be touched by men (pp. 99, 114, Deuteronomy 2:34 *, Judges 1:17 *). Hence, according to the old rule, a human being so devoted must be put to death (_cf._ Joshua 6:17 *, 1 S... [ Continue Reading ]
30- 33. TITHES (_cf._ Deuteronomy 14:22 ff; Deuteronomy 26:12 ff., Numbers 21-32*). The tithe offered in kind may be commuted for its value (estimated presumably by the priest) plus 20 per cent. (_cf._ Leviticus 27:13; Leviticus 27:15; Leviticus 27:27). A tithe on cattle is not mentioned elsewhere s... [ Continue Reading ]