Leviticus 27:10

Authorized King James Version

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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 it and the exchange thereof shall be holy.

Original Language Analysis

לֹ֣א H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 1 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַֽחֲלִיפֶ֗נּוּ He shall not alter H2498
יַֽחֲלִיפֶ֗נּוּ He shall not alter
Strong's: H2498
Word #: 2 of 20
properly, to slide by, i.e., (by implication) to hasten away, pass on, spring up, pierce or change
וְלֹֽא H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 3 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָמִ֤יר and if he shall at all H4171
יָמִ֤יר and if he shall at all
Strong's: H4171
Word #: 4 of 20
to alter; by implication, to barter, to dispose of
אֹת֛וֹ H853
אֹת֛וֹ
Strong's: H853
Word #: 5 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּט֑וֹב for a good H2896
בְּט֑וֹב for a good
Strong's: H2896
Word #: 6 of 20
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
רַ֣ע for a bad H7451
רַ֣ע for a bad
Strong's: H7451
Word #: 7 of 20
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
אוֹ H176
אוֹ
Strong's: H176
Word #: 8 of 20
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
רַ֣ע for a bad H7451
רַ֣ע for a bad
Strong's: H7451
Word #: 9 of 20
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
בְּט֑וֹב for a good H2896
בְּט֑וֹב for a good
Strong's: H2896
Word #: 10 of 20
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
וְאִם H518
וְאִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 11 of 20
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יָמִ֤יר and if he shall at all H4171
יָמִ֤יר and if he shall at all
Strong's: H4171
Word #: 12 of 20
to alter; by implication, to barter, to dispose of
יָמִ֤יר and if he shall at all H4171
יָמִ֤יר and if he shall at all
Strong's: H4171
Word #: 13 of 20
to alter; by implication, to barter, to dispose of
בִּבְהֵמָ֔ה beast H929
בִּבְהֵמָ֔ה beast
Strong's: H929
Word #: 14 of 20
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
בִּבְהֵמָ֔ה beast H929
בִּבְהֵמָ֔ה beast
Strong's: H929
Word #: 15 of 20
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
וְהָֽיָה H1961
וְהָֽיָה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 16 of 20
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
ה֥וּא H1931
ה֥וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 17 of 20
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וּתְמֽוּרָת֖וֹ then it and the exchange H8545
וּתְמֽוּרָת֖וֹ then it and the exchange
Strong's: H8545
Word #: 18 of 20
barter, compensation
יִֽהְיֶה H1961
יִֽהְיֶה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 19 of 20
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
קֹּֽדֶשׁ׃ thereof shall be holy H6944
קֹּֽדֶשׁ׃ thereof shall be holy
Strong's: H6944
Word #: 20 of 20
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

Analysis & Commentary

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 it and the exchange thereof shall be holy.

This verse falls within the section on Vows and Dedications. Regulations for voluntary vows and dedicating persons or property to God, teaching careful commitment.

The central theme of Leviticus is God's holiness and the call for His people to be holy. The Hebrew word qadosh (קָדוֹשׁ) means 'set apart' or 'sacred,' emphasizing both separation from sin and consecration to God's purposes.
Every sacrifice and ritual in Leviticus points forward to Jesus Christ, who fulfills the entire sacrificial system as both perfect sacrifice and eternal high priest.

Historical Context

Regulations for voluntary vows and dedicating persons or property to God, teaching careful commitment. Chapters 17-27, often called the 'Holiness Code,' expand covenant obligations beyond ritual to encompass all of life—sexuality, economics, justice, and relationships. The repeated refrain 'I am the LORD' grounds these laws in God's character and covenant relationship with Israel. Israel received these laws while encamped at Sinai, before entering Canaan. The laws prepared them for life in the promised land, distinguishing them from Canaanite practices and establishing their identity as God's holy nation. The portable tabernacle, central to Levitical worship, accompanied them through wilderness wanderings and eventually found permanent form in Solomon's temple. The tabernacle's design parallels ancient Near Eastern temple architecture, yet its portable nature and absence of divine images distinguished it from pagan temples.

Questions for Reflection

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