Leviticus 27:10

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Leviticus 27:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “He shall not alter it, nor change it, a good for a bad, or a bad for a good: and if he shall at all change beast for beast, then both it and that for which it is changed shall be holy.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

He shall not alter it, nor change it, a good for a bad, or a bad for a good: and if he shall at all change beast for beast, then both it and that for which it is changed shall be holy.
Leviticus 27:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Leviticus 27

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10He shall not alter it, nor change it, a good for a bad, or a bad for a good: and if he shall at all change beast for beast, then both it and that for which it is changed shall be holy.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“He shall not alter it nor change it, etc.] Some think these two words signify the same, but Abarbinel f936 makes them different; according to him, to “alter” is for one of another kind, as one of the herd for one of the flock, or the contrary; and to “change” for one of the same kind: a good for a bad, or a bad for a good; or, as the Targum of Jonathan, “that which is perfect for that which has a blemish in it, or what has a blemish in it for that which is perfect;” a change might not be made neither for the better nor for the worse, but the creature devoted was to be taken as it was; if not fit for sacrifice it was to be sold, and its price put to other uses; for, as Abarbinel f937…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“He shall not alter it, nor change it - Two words expressing the same thing more emphatically, that is, he shall in no wise change it, neither for one of the same, nor of another kind: partly because God would preserve the reverence of consecrated things, and therefore would not have them alienated, and partly to prevent abuses of them who on this pretence might exchange it for the worse. It and the exchange - That is, both the thing first vowed, and the thing offered or given in exchange. This was inflicted upon him as a just penalty for his levity in such weighty matters. Leviticus 27:11”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Lev. 27:15-33; Jam 1:8 Leviticus 27:11”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification