MPV Commentary

Concerning Vows.

When people make vows to God, they are presenting themselves as offerings in gratitude for benefits received or in response to deliverance from danger. Moses was authorized by divine authority to establish rules governing this voluntary act of devotion.

The value of those consecrated will be determined according to the person's estimation. People might dedicate themselves or their children to serve the Lord in some capacity related to the sanctuary (1 Samuel 3:1). If circumstances change, those devoted can redeem themselves, and this chapter outlines the redemption money, which the priest has discretion to adjust as needed.

Those of mature age, between twenty and sixty, are valued highest because they can provide the most service. Young people, from five till twenty, are rated lower due to their limited ability to serve. Infants, though dedicated by their parents before birth (1 Samuel 1:11), cannot be offered or redeemed until a month after birth. Older individuals are valued below young people but above children. The poor are not exempt from payment, as this prevents rash formation of vows.

If it's an animal that has been vowed to the Lord, it must be sacrificed. If the animal is unsuitable for the altar due to a blemish, it can be sold and the proceeds used for sacred purposes. However, if the animal is unclean, such as an ass or camel, it is assigned to the priest at its estimated value or can be redeemed by the person who vowed it on payment of that value plus an additional fine.

When someone dedicates their house to be holy unto the Lord, the house's value is determined by the priest and sold. The proceeds are dedicated to the sanctuary. If the owner wants to redeem it, they can do so by adding a fifth part to the price.

If a person vows some portion of their land to the Lord, that land does not revert to them at the Jubilee as acquired property would. Instead, it remains attached to the sanctuary in perpetuity. This is because the law aims to encourage people to redeem or have someone else redeem their vowed property to prevent patrimonial inheritance from leaving any family in Israel.

The firstling of clean beasts are consecrated to God by a universal and standing law (Exodus 13:12; 34:19) and cannot be devoted. The same applies to unclean beasts, which are subject to the rule mentioned earlier.

No one can sell or redeem something that has been vowed to the Lord with a solemn imprecation on themselves not to fail in accomplishing their declared purpose. This means they will remain devoted until death.

The preceding regulations were designed to prevent rashness in vowing and encourage serious reflection in matters between God and the soul (Luke 21:4).

All the tithe of the land, whether from seed or harvest, is a yearly rent paid by the Israelites as tenants to God, the owner of the land. This law gives divine authority to an ancient practice (Genesis 14:20; 28:22). The whole produce of the land is subject to the tithe tribute, which serves as a thank offering for God's bounties.

The tithe of cattle is taken by making them pass through a narrow gateway where someone counts and marks every tenth beast with ochre on its back.

These are the commandments contained in this book, which, although mostly ceremonial, have an important spiritual bearing. The study of these laws is highly instructive (Romans 10:4; Hebrews 4:2; 12:18). They imposed a burdensome yoke but formed the necessary discipline for those in the infantine age of the Church, serving as "a schoolmaster to Christ" (Galatians 3:24).