What Does Leviticus 27:7 Mean in the King James?

And if it be from sixty years old and above; if it be a male, then thy estimation shall be fifteen shekels, and for the female ten shekels.

Leviticus 27:7 · 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.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

The verse’s “estimation” is an assigned measure, and that measure gives the same age band different prices by sex.

THE MEANING

This verse sets a male’s estimation at fifteen shekels and a female’s at ten when both are sixty or older. The difference is explicit in the measure attached to the vow; this line neither equates the amounts nor explains why they differ.

THE ROOT

עֶרְכְּךָ

ʿerkekha

GROWS FROM

ערך

ʿ-r-k

To arrange, set in order, or assign a measure.

The word translated “estimation” comes from a root used for arranging or setting something in order. The verse’s amount is therefore part of an assigned scale, not an open-ended description of the person.

ALSO GROWS

ʿārakh: To arrange or set in order.

עָרַךְ

This branch shows the ordering sense carried by the root behind the stated valuation.

maʿărākāh: An array or formation.

מַעֲרָכָה

An array is something set out in an ordered arrangement, echoing the verse’s placement of people within a valuation scale.

ʿērekh: Value or valuation.

עֵרֶךְ

This related word names the assigned measure directly.

שְׁקָלִים

sheqalim

GROWS FROM

שקל

sh-q-l

To weigh.

The amounts are named in shekels, a word from the root “to weigh.” The valuation is expressed as a countable weight of silver, making the difference in the scale concrete.

ALSO GROWS

shaqal: To weigh.

שָׁקַל

This verb reveals the weighing sense behind the unit used for the valuation.

mishqal: Weight or measure.

מִשְׁקָל

This related word links the verse’s stated sum to a measured quantity.

THE PATTERN

Scripture makes an assigned value concrete through a stated weight or amount.

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.

Leviticus 27:3 · KJVThe valuation is set as a specific number of shekels, giving the assigned measure a defined amount.

And those that are to be redeemed from a month old shalt thou redeem, according to thine estimation, for the money of five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, which is twenty gerahs.

Numbers 18:16 · KJVThe estimation is made concrete as five shekels and further defined by the sanctuary’s measure.

And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant.

Genesis 23:16 · KJVA named price becomes a measured sum as Abraham weighs out four hundred shekels of silver.

THE THREAD

But if he be poorer than thy estimation, then he shall present himself before the priest, and the priest shall value him; according to his ability that vowed shall the priest value him.

Leviticus 27:8 · KJV

The same root, ⁨ערך⁩ (ʿ-r-k), meaning “to arrange or assign a valuation,” appears in the repeated words “estimation” and “value.” This next verse sets the fixed schedule beside a valuation made according to ability, showing another way the vow’s measure is assigned.

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