Leviticus 27:31

Study note

Setting — God delivers this stipulation to Moses for the Israelite assembly during the Sinai covenant instructions. The law addresses any Israelite who seeks to retain a portion of a consecrated tithe.

The words — יִגְאַל (yig'al) means "he will redeem," and חֲמִשִׁית (chamishit) translates to "a fifth." These terms anchor the requirement that voluntary retention carries a specific financial penalty.

The thread — This rule operates within Leviticus 27's tithe and redemption framework, where the text establishes that all agricultural tithes and tenth animals are declared holy to the LORD (Leviticus 27:30, 27:32). The chapter consistently ties consecration to the LORD to measurable obligations and valuation.

Why it lands — The text requires that anyone who redeems part of his tithe must add one-fifth to its assessed value. It demands precise accounting when personal use intersects with consecrated property.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.