This verse from Leviticus 27:19 deals with the laws concerning redeeming land that has been dedicated to the Lord. Let's break it down:
"If he who dedicated the field will indeed redeem it...": This refers to a person who has previously dedicated a field to the Lord (likely for a set period or until the Jubilee year). They now want to buy the field back before that set period is up.
"...then he shall add the fifth part of the money of your valuation to it...": "Your valuation" refers to the price of the field set by the priest. If the original owner wants to redeem the field, they have to pay that assessed value plus an additional 20% (one-fifth).
"...and it shall remain his.": After paying the valuation plus the additional 20%, the field becomes the original owner's property again.
In essence, the verse outlines the procedure for the original owner to buy back a field they had previously dedicated to the Lord. They must pay the assessed value of the field plus a 20% penalty.
Why the Additional 20%?
The 20% addition can be interpreted as:
Compensation to the Sanctuary: The sanctuary/priest would have been expecting to receive the value of the land at the end of the dedicated period or at the Jubilee year. This 20% is essentially compensation for changing the terms of the dedication early.
Discouraging rash dedications: It discourages people from rashly dedicating land without seriously considering the financial implications. It's a reminder that dedicating something to the Lord is a serious commitment.
Value of Dedication: The extra 20% could also be seen as acknowledging the sacredness of the dedication. By adding a premium, the redemption acknowledges the value of the dedication to the Lord.
Practical Application
This verse is part of a broader set of laws aimed at maintaining fairness and order in the land while also supporting the religious institutions. It ensured that both the individual and the sanctuary were treated justly in matters of dedication and redemption.
This verse from Leviticus 27:19 deals with the laws concerning redeeming land that has been dedicated to the Lord. Let's break it down:
"If he who dedicated the field will indeed redeem it...": This refers to a person who has previously dedicated a field to the Lord (likely for a set period or until the Jubilee year). They now want to buy the field back before that set period is up.
"...then he shall add the fifth part of the money of your valuation to it...": "Your valuation" refers to the price of the field set by the priest. If the original owner wants to redeem the field, they have to pay that assessed value plus an additional 20% (one-fifth).
"...and it shall remain his.": After paying the valuation plus the additional 20%, the field becomes the original owner's property again.
In essence, the verse outlines the procedure for the original owner to buy back a field they had previously dedicated to the Lord. They must pay the assessed value of the field plus a 20% penalty.
Why the Additional 20%?
The 20% addition can be interpreted as:
Compensation to the Sanctuary: The sanctuary/priest would have been expecting to receive the value of the land at the end of the dedicated period or at the Jubilee year. This 20% is essentially compensation for changing the terms of the dedication early.
Discouraging rash dedications: It discourages people from rashly dedicating land without seriously considering the financial implications. It's a reminder that dedicating something to the Lord is a serious commitment.
Value of Dedication: The extra 20% could also be seen as acknowledging the sacredness of the dedication. By adding a premium, the redemption acknowledges the value of the dedication to the Lord.
Practical Application
This verse is part of a broader set of laws aimed at maintaining fairness and order in the land while also supporting the religious institutions. It ensured that both the individual and the sanctuary were treated justly in matters of dedication and redemption.