Leviticus 27:20

Leviticus 27:20

Leviticus 27 presents priestly rules about vows, tithes, and the valuation of things devoted to the Lord. In this verse, a field that has been sold or not redeemed remains outside the normal year-by-year redemption process. The phrase “shall not be redeemed any more” signals a formal boundary: once the field has passed into this special category, its return to the original owner is barred. In the ancient economy, land was life—people depended on land for food, shelter, and inheritance. The year-of-Jubile instruction paired with the concept of devoted property created a rhythm of grace and judgment: God’s people would not treat land as a permanent, marketable commodity; instead, land belonged to the Lord and its status reflected that reality. Culturally, this reflects Israel’s covenantal identity and the sanctity of property when used as part of the divine economy. The verse sits within a broader legal framework that teaches stewardship, accountability, and trust in God’s provision rather than in perpetual private ownership.

This verse emphasizes God’s sovereignty over land and the seriousness with which sacred property is treated. It highlights that not all transactions are simply economic; some lands’ statuses express covenantal realities. The idea that certain fields cannot be redeemed reinforces the sanctity of land set apart for the Lord, reminding Israel that ownership is provisional under divine rule. It also foreshadows themes of justice and redistribution found in the Jubilee system, where land tenure is reset by God’s timetable. The underlying theological thread is trust—trust that God governs cycles of prosperity and loss, and that ultimate ownership belongs to Him. For believers, it speaks to how we value what we possess: is it merely for personal gain, or for serving God’s purposes?

What would be the modern parallel? Consider land or major resources bought and sold with the understanding they serve the common good or God-honoring aims. If something is set apart for God (a church building, a mission endowment, or land designated for a community garden), it should not be treated as a conventional asset to be endlessly traded for profit. It invites reflection on stewardship: are there “fields” in our lives—time, money, influence—given over to God in a way that cannot be reclaimed if we walk away? A practical example: a donor funds a church property with explicit limits that, if not used for the original mission, remains under church control rather than becoming a private asset to be sold for personal gain. The principle calls followers to integrity in how sacred resources are treated and a readiness to accept God’s governance over our possessions.

Cross-References: 2 Kings 22:7; Leviticus 25:13; Leviticus 27:21; Jeremiah 32:7-9; Numbers 18:14