Leviticus 27:15 Meaning: Redeeming with a Fifth
If he who dedicates it will redeem his house, then he shall add the fifth part of the money of your valuation to it, and it shall be his.
And if he that sanctified it will redeem his house, then he shall add the fifth part of the money of thy estimation unto it, and it shall be his.
And if he that sanctified it will redeem his house, then he shall add the fifth part of the money of thy estimation unto it, and it shall be his.
and if he who is sanctifying doth redeem his house, then he hath added a fifth of the money of thy valuation to it, and it hath become his.
And if he that halloweth it will redeem his house, he shall add the fifth of the money of thy valuation unto it, and it shall be his.
Meaning in one sentence
Learn why the owner must add a fifth to redeem a dedicated house in this Levitical law, and what it reveals about integrity and keeping our promises.
Context
Leviticus 27 is the final chapter of the book, gathering laws about vows and dedications. A person could dedicate a house, a field, or even an animal to the Lord by a spoken promise. Once dedicated, the property belonged to the sanctuary. But the law allowed the original owner to buy it back, to redeem it. This verse lays out the rule for houses. The priest sets a value, and if the owner wants his house back, he must pay that amount plus an extra fifth. The same pattern appears for fields and unclean animals earlier in the chapter.
Key Words
The Hebrew verb behind "sanctified" is qadash, to set something apart as holy, to mark it as belonging to God. When a person did this, the house was no longer ordinary property. The word for "redeem" is ga'al, a family word. It means to buy back what once belonged to you, often used of a kinsman rescuing a relative from debt or slavery. Here the owner rescues his own house by paying its value.
Then comes the extra fifth. The word yasaph means "to add" or "to do again", a deliberate act of giving more than the required price. The fifth (chamishi) was not a small penalty; it was a serious deterrent. By requiring the extra payment, the law made a person think twice before making a rash vow, and it ensured the sanctuary received fair compensation, since the owner likely knew hidden value the priest might miss.
How Christians Read This Verse
Most Christian commentators see the extra fifth as a safeguard against careless promises. Matthew Henry calls it a "check upon presumption," reminding the one who vowed that he cannot simply change his mind without cost. The ancient Jewish tradition, cited by Gill, explains that the extra payment was to prevent the sanctuary from being cheated: the owner might undervalue his house, so the fifth ensured the full worth was given. Across traditions, the common thread is that God takes our vows seriously, and the law built in a discipline to protect both the worshiper's integrity and the sanctuary's provision.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers think this rule is only about money or that it shows God is demanding a penalty for a simple change of heart. In fact, the law is not punishing indecision but protecting the holiness of a sacred promise. The extra fifth makes the vow costly to reverse, teaching the worshiper to weigh his words before dedicating anything to God.
Living This Out
You may never dedicate a house to the sanctuary, but you have likely spoken promises to God, in prayer, in worship, in a moment of need. This verse asks you to take those words seriously. If you have committed something to the Lord and later find yourself wanting to take it back, consider what it cost you to make that promise, and whether backing out is the right thing. If you must adjust, do it honestly, even if it costs more than you expected. Let the extra fifth remind you that integrity matters more than convenience.
Main takeaway: When we set something apart for God, reneging costs us more, teaching us to weigh our promises carefully.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
If you promise God something, be careful. If you break your promise, it might be hard to fix. It is better to think before you promise.
For ages 9, 12
In this verse, when someone dedicated his house to God and then wanted it back, he had to pay more than it was worth. That extra payment was a reminder to think carefully before making a promise to God. It also made sure God’s house got what it deserved. You can apply this by being careful with promises you make to God and to others. If you need to change your mind, make things right the best you can.
Questions People Ask
Why did the owner have to add a fifth when redeeming his house?
The extra fifth discouraged rash vows and ensured the sanctuary received the full value of the house. If the owner knew the house was worth more than the priest’s estimate, the extra payment made up the difference and protected the sanctuary from loss.
What does 'sanctified' mean in Leviticus 27:15?
The Hebrew word qadash means to set something apart as holy, to dedicate it to God. Once a house was sanctified by a vow, it belonged to the Lord and could not be used for ordinary purposes unless redeemed with the extra fifth.
Does this law apply to Christians today?
The specific law about redeeming houses is part of the Old Testament ceremonial and civil code for Israel. Most Christians do not follow it as a binding rule, but the principle behind it, taking our promises to God seriously and acting with integrity, remains timeless.
How does this relate to the Year of Jubilee?
The Jubilee (every 50th year) returned land to its original family. Houses in walled cities could be redeemed within a year, but if not, they stayed with the buyer. The extra fifth for redemption gave a way to get the house back before the Jubilee, but after the Jubilee, dedicated property became permanent sanctuary possession.
What is the significance of the number five?
The fifth part (20%) was a standard addition in redemption contexts (see Leviticus 27:13). It was enough to be costly but not prohibitive, making the person think twice before making the vow and ensuring the sanctuary received fair compensation.
For pastors & researchers
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