King James Version

What Does Leviticus 27:18 Mean?

Leviticus 27:18 in the King James Version says “But if he sanctify his field after the jubile, then the priest shall reckon unto him the money according to the years th...” — study this verse from Leviticus chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But if he sanctify his field after the jubile, then the priest shall reckon unto him the money according to the years that remain, even unto the year of the jubile, and it shall be abated from thy estimation.”

Leviticus 27:18 · KJV

Context

16

And if a man shall sanctify unto the LORD some part of a field of his possession, then thy estimation shall be according to the seed thereof: an homer of barley seed shall be valued at fifty shekels of silver. an: or, the land of an homer, etc

17

If he sanctify his field from the year of jubile, according to thy estimation it shall stand.

18

But if he sanctify his field after the jubile, then the priest shall reckon unto him the money according to the years that remain, even unto the year of the jubile, and it shall be abated from thy estimation.

19

And if he that sanctified the field will in any wise redeem it, then he shall add the fifth part of the money of thy estimation unto it, and it shall be assured to him.

20

And if he will not redeem the field, or if he have sold the field to another man, it shall not be redeemed any more.

Read Leviticus 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But if he sanctify his field after the jubile, then the priest shall reckon unto him the money according to the years that remain, even unto the year of the jubile, and it shall be abated from thy estimation.

This verse falls within the section on Vows and Dedications. Regulations for voluntary vows and dedicating persons or property to God, teaching careful commitment.

The central theme of Leviticus is God's holiness and the call for His people to be holy. The Hebrew word qadosh (קָדוֹשׁ) means 'set apart' or 'sacred,' emphasizing both separation from sin and consecration to God's purposes. The Aaronic priesthood mediated between God and Israel, offering sacrifices and maintaining the tabernacle. This prefigured Christ's superior priesthood after the order of Melchizedek.
The holiness demanded in Leviticus becomes possible through Christ, who both satisfies God's righteous requirements and transforms believers by His Spirit.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Regulations for voluntary vows and dedicating persons or property to God, teaching careful commitment. Chapters 17-27, often called the 'Holiness Code,' expand covenant obligations beyond ritual to encompass all of life—sexuality, economics, justice, and relationships. The repeated refrain 'I am the LORD' grounds these laws in God's character and covenant relationship with Israel. Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. The Israelite dietary laws in Leviticus 11 have no exact parallel in surrounding cultures, though some ancient cultures had food taboos, suggesting unique revelation rather than borrowed customs.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's holiness, as revealed in this verse, shape your understanding of worship, obedience, and daily living?
  2. How does Christ's superior priesthood, prefigured in this verse, assure you of access to God and effective intercession?
  3. In what practical ways should this verse influence your church life, family relationships, or personal integrity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וְאִם1 of 19
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

אַחַ֣ר2 of 19

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

הַיֹּבֵ֑ל3 of 19

“of the jubile”

H3104

the blast of a horn (from its continuous sound); specifically, the signal of the silver trumpets; hence, the instrument itself and the festival thus i

יַקְדִּ֣ישׁ4 of 19

“But if he sanctify”

H6942

to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)

שָׂדֵהוּ֒5 of 19

“his field”

H7704

a field (as flat)

וְחִשַּׁב6 of 19

“shall reckon”

H2803

properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou

ל֨וֹ7 of 19
H0
הַכֹּהֵ֜ן8 of 19

“then the priest”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

אֶת9 of 19
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַכֶּ֗סֶף10 of 19

“unto him the money”

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

עַל11 of 19
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פִּ֤י12 of 19

“according to”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

שְׁנַ֣ת13 of 19

“even unto the year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

הַנּ֣וֹתָרֹ֔ת14 of 19

“that remain”

H3498

to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve

עַ֖ד15 of 19
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

שְׁנַ֣ת16 of 19

“even unto the year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

הַיֹּבֵ֑ל17 of 19

“of the jubile”

H3104

the blast of a horn (from its continuous sound); specifically, the signal of the silver trumpets; hence, the instrument itself and the festival thus i

וְנִגְרַ֖ע18 of 19

“and it shall be abated”

H1639

to scrape off; by implication, to shave, remove, lessen, withhold

מֵֽעֶרְכֶּֽךָ׃19 of 19

“from thy estimation”

H6187

a pile, equipment, estimate

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Leviticus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Leviticus 27:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Leviticus 27:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 25:15-16Leviticus 25:27Leviticus 25:51-52

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