Leviticus 27:28 Meaning: The Irrevocable Gift
“‘Notwithstanding, no devoted thing that a man devotes to Yahweh of all that he has, whether of man or animal, or of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed. Everything that is permanently devoted is most holy to Yahweh.
Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall devote unto the Lord of all that he hath, both of man and beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed: every devoted thing is most holy unto the Lord.
Notwithstanding, no devoted thing, that a man shall devote unto Jehovah of all that he hath, whether of man or beast, or of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed: every devoted thing is most holy unto Jehovah.
`Only, no devoted thing which a man devoteth to Jehovah, of all that he hath, of man, and beast, and of the field of his possession, is sold or redeemed; every devoted thing is most holy to Jehovah.
Notwithstanding, no devoted thing that a man hath devoted to Jehovah of all that he hath, of man or beast, or of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed: every devoted thing is most holy to Jehovah.
Meaning in one sentence
Learn the meaning of 'devoted thing' (cherem) in Leviticus 27:28. This irrevocable dedication to God cannot be sold or redeemed. Understand its significance.
Context
Leviticus 27 closes the book with a series of laws about vows and dedications. Earlier verses explain how someone could dedicate a person, animal, or field to the Lord and then redeem it with money plus a fifth. But this verse introduces a second, more absolute kind of vow. Here the word for ‘devoted’ (cherem) means something completely cut off from ordinary use and given to God without the possibility of being bought back. The chapter distinguishes this from the tithe and from firstborn animals, which already belong to God. This is a voluntary act, but once done it is final. The verse stands as a boundary marker: some gifts cannot be taken back.
Key Words
Two Hebrew words are essential here. The first is cherem (חרם), often translated ‘devoted thing.’ Its root meaning is ‘to cut off’ or ‘to shut up.’ In the Old Testament it describes something separated from common life and given over to God completely, with no right of recall. It is stronger than the word for ‘sanctify’ used earlier in the chapter. A cherem cannot be sold or redeemed because it no longer belongs to the person who vowed it.
The second phrase is ‘most holy’, qodesh qadashim (קֹדֶשׁ קָדָשִׁים), literally ‘holy of holies.’ This is the same term used for the innermost part of the tabernacle and for the incense altar. It designates something that belongs to God in the highest degree, reserved for His exclusive use. When an Israelite made a cherem vow, he was placing that object in the same category as the holiest things in worship. That is why no one could treat it as ordinary again.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christian commentators note that this vow differs from ordinary dedications. Gill (Baptist) explains that a ‘devoted’ thing carried an implicit curse if the vow was broken, making it irreversible. Barnes (Anglican) observes that the same Hebrew word can describe something doomed to destruction, but that in this verse it refers to a private vow, not a judicial sentence. Keil & Delitzsch (Lutheran) emphasize that the irredeemable nature shows the seriousness of the commitment. Across traditions, readers agree that cherem represents a total, final transfer to God, distinct from offerings that could be bought back.
A common misunderstanding
Some readers assume this verse allows human sacrifice because it mentions devoting people. In fact, the Old Testament strictly forbids human sacrifice (Deuteronomy 12:31). The ‘man’ here refers to a slave or servant whom the owner could dedicate to sanctuary service (see Numbers 18:14). Verse 29, which speaks of a person ‘devoted to destruction,’ refers to a capital sentence, not a religious offering. The two verses are different in kind.
Living This Out
This verse asks you to consider what you have placed completely in God’s hands and left there. A promise you made in a hard moment. A possession you said was His. A relationship you committed to steward for Him. The temptation is to treat those things as still negotiable, to take them back when life gets easier. This verse says: some gifts are final. You do not have to make a cherem vow to learn from it. You can simply ask yourself this week whether you are holding any part of your life back, still leaving yourself a way to reclaim it.
Main takeaway: A thing devoted to God is completely and permanently His, not to be taken back or traded away.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
When we give something to God with all our heart, we don't take it back. God keeps it safe, and it belongs to Him forever.
For ages 9, 12
In Old Testament times, people sometimes made a special promise called a ‘devoted thing.’ They gave something to God and said, ‘This is Yours forever, no take‑backs.’ God took that promise seriously. For us, it reminds us that when we give our lives to Jesus, we don’t hold back. We trust Him with everything, and He never lets us go.
Questions People Ask
What does 'devoted thing' mean in Leviticus 27:28?
The Hebrew word is cherem, meaning something cut off from common use and given to God irrevocably. It could not be sold or redeemed, unlike ordinary vows that allowed a buyback with added payment.
Does Leviticus 27:28 allow human sacrifice?
No. The Old Testament consistently condemns human sacrifice (Deuteronomy 12:31). The 'man' in this verse refers to a slave or servant who could be devoted to sanctuary service, not a sacrificial victim. Verse 29 deals with capital punishment for certain offenses, not a religious offering.
Why can't a devoted thing be redeemed?
Because it is 'most holy to Yahweh.' Once something was placed under the cherem vow, it belonged to God in the highest degree. Redeeming it would treat the gift as though it were still the owner's, which contradicted the total surrender the vow expressed.
How is a devoted thing different from a tithe or a regular vow?
Tithes were mandatory (one‑tenth of produce and livestock) and could be redeemed with a fifth added. Regular vows allowed a person to dedicate something and then buy it back at a priest's valuation. A devoted thing was voluntary but final; no redemption was possible.
What happened to a devoted thing after it was given?
It became the property of the priests and was used for the sanctuary (see Numbers 18:14). Since it was most holy, only the priests could handle or use it. The original owner lost all rights to it forever.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study