Leviticus 27:11

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Leviticus 27:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And if it be any unclean beast, of which they do not offer an oblation unto Jehovah, then he shall set the beast before the priest;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And if it be any unclean beast, of which they do not offer an oblation unto Jehovah, then he shall set the beast before the priest;
Leviticus 27:11 — American Standard Version

Context — Leviticus 27

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11And if it be any unclean beast, of which they do not offer an oblation unto Jehovah, then he shall set the beast before the priest;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And if [it be] any unclean beast, of which they do not offer a sacrifice unto the Lord, etc.] Any creature, excepting a dog, the price of which was not to be brought into the house of the Lord; besides oxen, sheep, goats, rams, and lambs; though some understand it even of such that have blemishes on them, and so not fit to be offered unto the Lord; so Jarchi and others f940: then he shall present the beast before the priest; to be viewed, examined, and judged of as to its worth, and a value put upon it, that it might be sold or redeemed, as no other but a beast might; so it is observed birds, wood, frankincense, and ministering vessels, have no redemption, for it is only said a beast f941.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Unclean - Either for the kind, or for the quality of it; if it were such an one as might not be offered. Leviticus 27:14”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“27:11-13 An unclean animal, one unfit either for food or sacrifice, could be bought back by the worshiper for its assessed value plus 20 percent. No doubt the reasoning behind this rule was to preserve the sanctity of vows and to minimize thoughtless dedications. For the 20 percent surcharge on property, see 27:15, 19, 31.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Deu 23:18; Mal 1:14 Leviticus 27:12”
Read attributed excerpt →
Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Every unclean beast, however, - an ass for example, - which could not be offered in sacrifice, was to be placed before the priest for him to value it "between good and bad," i.e., neither very high as if it were good, nor very low as if it were bad, but at a medium price; and it was to be according to this valuation, i.e., to be worth the value placed upon it (הכּהן כּערכּך according to thy, the priest's, valuation), namely, when sold for the good of the sanctuary and its servants. Leviticus 27:13”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification