Leviticus 27:5

Authorized King James Version

And if it be from five years old even unto twenty years old, then thy estimation shall be of the male twenty shekels, and for the female ten shekels.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאִ֨ם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#2
בֶּן
old
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#3
חָמֵ֜שׁ
And if it be from five
five
#4
שָׁנָ֔ה
years
a year (as a revolution of time)
#5
וְעַד֙
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#6
בֶּן
old
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#7
עֶשְׂרִ֣ים
even unto twenty
twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth
#8
שָׁנָ֔ה
years
a year (as a revolution of time)
#9
וְהָיָ֧ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#10
עֶרְכְּךָ֛
then thy estimation
a pile, equipment, estimate
#11
הַזָּכָ֖ר
shall be of the male
properly, remembered, i.e., a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex)
#12
עֶשְׂרִ֣ים
even unto twenty
twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth
#13
שְׁקָלִֽים׃
shekels
probably a weight; used as a commercial standard
#14
וְלַנְּקֵבָ֖ה
and for the female
female (from the sexual form)
#15
עֲשֶׂ֥רֶת
ten
ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)
#16
שְׁקָלִֽים׃
shekels
probably a weight; used as a commercial standard

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Leviticus Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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