Leviticus 27:1-34

Vows and Tithes and their Redemption

1-29. Law of vows and their redemption.

The making of vows is a very ancient and universal practice connected with prayer. In order to secure his desire the suppliant adds a vow to his prayer. Vows may be either positive or negative. A man may promise either to devote something to God, or to abstain from some comfort or necessary of life. Instances of the latter, vows of abstinence, are to be found in Numbers 6:1; Numbers 30; 1 Samuel 14:24; Psalms 132:2, and of the former in Genesis 28:20; Judges 11:30; Numbers 21:1. The present chapter deals with positive vows. The votive offering may be a human being (Leviticus 27:2), an animal (Leviticus 27:9), a house (Leviticus 27:14), or a piece of land (Leviticus 27:16).

2-8. Human beings vowed to Jehovah must not be offered to Him in sacrifice. They must be redeemed, a certain sum of money being paid into the sanctuary as an equivalent.