What Does Leviticus 27:25 Mean in the King James?

And all thy estimations shall be according to the shekel of the sanctuary: twenty gerahs shall be the shekel.

Leviticus 27:25 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The verse makes valuation answer to a fixed weight, turning an estimate into a measured amount.

THE MEANING

A value is held to a standard shared beyond the person naming it. Here the measure is concrete: the sanctuary shekel equals twenty gerahs, so an estimate can be checked rather than drifting with preference.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The lie that a value is fair merely because someone has assigned it.

THE ROOT

שֶׁקֶל

sheqel

GROWS FROM

שקל

sh-q-l

To weigh or weigh out

English can make “shekel” sound like a currency label, but its root carries the act of weighing. The valuation in this verse is anchored to weight: the measure is specific and countable, twenty gerahs.

ALSO GROWS

shāqal: To weigh or weigh out

שָׁקַל

This verb makes the physical act inside the word “shekel” visible: value is weighed against a measure.

mishqāl: Weight or measure

מִשְׁקָל

This related word shows the root extending from weighing to the weight used as a standard.

עֶרְכְּךָ

ʿerkeḵā

GROWS FROM

ערך

ʿ-r-k

To arrange or set in order

The word rendered “estimations” belongs to a root of arranging and setting things in order. English can make an estimate sound like a personal impression; this root suggests a value placed within an order, and the verse names the measure that orders it.

ALSO GROWS

ʿāraḵ: To arrange or set in order

עָרַךְ

The valuation word grows from the idea of placing something within an order, rather than leaving it as an undefined impression.

maʿărāḵāh: An arrangement or array

מַעֲרָכָה

This branch carries the same root into an ordered array, echoing the verse’s movement from valuation to a defined measure.

THE PATTERN

Judgment and valuation take their shape from the measure applied.

This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary: (a shekel is twenty gerahs:) an half shekel shall be the offering of the LORD.

Exodus 30:13 · KJVThe sanctuary shekel and its twenty-gerah measure make a shared standard for what each person gives.

A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.

Proverbs 11:1 · KJVA value depends on the weight used to measure it; a false measure distorts the result.

For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

Matthew 7:2 · KJVThe measure a person applies becomes the measure returned to them.

THE THREAD

This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary: (a shekel is twenty gerahs:) an half shekel shall be the offering of the LORD.

Exodus 30:13 · KJV

Both verses name the sanctuary shekel and the same twenty-gerah measure. Exodus uses that fixed unit for a shared contribution, showing the same standard governing both valuation and giving.

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