Leviticus 27:3

3 set the value of a male between the ages of twenty and sixty at fifty shekels[a] of silver, according to the sanctuary shekel[b] ;

Leviticus 27:3 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
3 And thy estimation shall be of the male from twenty years old even unto sixty years old, even thy estimation shall be fifty shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary.
English Standard Version (ESV)
3 then the valuation of a male from twenty years old up to sixty years old shall be fifty shekels of silver, according to the shekel of the sanctuary.
New Living Translation (NLT)
3 here is the scale of values to be used. A man between the ages of twenty and sixty is valued at fifty shekels of silver, as measured by the sanctuary shekel.
The Message Bible (MSG)
3 set the value of a man between the ages of twenty and sixty at fifty shekels of silver, according to the Sanctuary shekel.
American Standard Version (ASV)
3 And thy estimation shall be of the male from twenty years old even unto sixty years old, even thy estimation shall be fifty shekels of silver, after the shekel of the sanctuary.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
3 The amount you must give for a man from 20 to 60 years old is 20 ounces of silver. Use the standard weight of the holy place.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
3 if the valuation concerns a male from 20 to 60 years old, your valuation is 50 silver shekels [measured] by the standard sanctuary shekel.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
3 " 'The cost for a male between the ages of 20 and 60 is 20 ounces of silver. It must be weighed out in keeping with the standard weights that are used in the sacred tent.

Leviticus 27:3 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 27:3

And thy estimation shall be
The estimation of the man himself that vowed, or of the priest for him, was not left to be made by either of them at their pleasure, but was to be made according to the following rules, in proportion to the age a person was of to be estimated:

of the male from twenty years old even unto sixty years old:
the account begins with these, because men of an age from the one to the other are fittest for labour, and therefore to be set at the highest price, as they are in the next clause:

even that estimation shall be fifty shekels of silver, after the
shekel of the sanctuary;
a shekel was about half a crown of our money, or somewhat less, so that fifty of these amounted to about six pounds: these shekels were to be of the full weight, according to the standard that was kept in the sanctuary, and were the highest price that was set upon any; and this was paid equally by all of the same age, whether rich or poor: hence it is said,

``in estimations there is nothing less than one shekel, nor more than fifty F14.''


FOOTNOTES:

F14 Misn. Eracin, c. 2. sect. 1.

Leviticus 27:3 In-Context

1 The LORD said to Moses,
2 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘If anyone makes a special vow to dedicate a person to the LORD by giving the equivalent value,
3 set the value of a male between the ages of twenty and sixty at fifty shekels of silver, according to the sanctuary shekel ;
4 for a female, set her value at thirty shekels ;
5 for a person between the ages of five and twenty, set the value of a male at twenty shekels and of a female at ten shekels ;

Cross References 1

  • 1. S Exodus 30:13; Numbers 3:47; Numbers 18:16

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. That is, about 1 1/4 pounds or about 575 grams; also in verse 16
  • [b]. That is, about 2/5 ounce or about 12 grams; also in verse 25
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