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Leviticus 27:22 - Redemption of purchased fields?

Leviticus 27:22 - ויקרא 27:22

Hebrew Text

וְאִם אֶת־שְׂדֵה מִקְנָתוֹ אֲשֶׁר לֹא מִשְּׂדֵה אֲחֻזָּתוֹ יַקְדִּישׁ לַיהוָה׃

English Translation

And if a man dedicate to the Lord a field which he has bought, which is not of the fields of his possession;

Transliteration

Ve'im et-sde miknato asher lo misde achuzato yakdish la'Adonai.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאִם֙ אֶת־שְׂדֵ֣ה מִקְנָת֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֕ר לֹ֖א מִשְּׂדֵ֣ה אֲחֻזָּת֑וֹ יַקְדִּ֖ישׁ לַֽיהֹוָֽה׃
וְאִם֙ אֶת־שְׂדֵ֣ה מִקְנָת֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֕ר לֹ֖א מִשְּׂדֵ֣ה אֲחֻזָּת֑וֹ יַקְדִּ֖ישׁ לַֽיהֹוָֽה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in Vayikra (Leviticus)

This verse (Vayikra 27:22) appears in the section discussing the laws of erchin (vows of valuation) and consecrated property. It specifies the unique status of a purchased field—as opposed to an ancestral field—when dedicated to Hashem.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi clarifies that this refers to a field bought from another Israelite, not part of the ancestral land (nachalah) originally allotted to the tribes. Such a field has different sanctity rules: if consecrated, it does not return to the owner at the Jubilee (Yovel) like ancestral land would. Instead, it remains with the Beis HaMikdash unless redeemed by the owner.

Rambam's Legal Perspective

In Hilchos Arachin VaCharamim (4:19), the Rambam rules that a purchased field's sanctification follows distinct redemption procedures. The owner must pay its full value (per the shekel hakodesh), and if unredeemed, it becomes permanent Temple property—unlike ancestral land, which reverts at Yovel.

Midrashic Insight

The Sifra (Behar 7:1) links this law to the broader principle that land in Eretz Yisrael is fundamentally Hashem's (Vayikra 25:23). Even in transactions, ultimate ownership remains Divine, and consecration reflects this higher claim.

Practical Implications

  • Ancestral vs. Purchased: Only fields from tribal allotments return at Yovel; purchased land consecrated to the Temple follows different sanctity rules.
  • Redemption Calculation: The owner must pay 50 silver shekels per chomer of barley seed capacity (Vayikra 27:16), adjusted for years remaining until Yovel.
  • Temple Economy: Such consecrations supported the Beis HaMikdash, reinforcing the connection between individual vows and communal sanctity.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Arakhin 29a
The verse is discussed in the context of the laws of dedicating fields to the Temple, specifically regarding fields that are purchased and not ancestral property.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Leviticus 27:22 mean?
A: Leviticus 27:22 discusses the laws of dedicating a purchased field to the Temple (Beit HaMikdash). Unlike ancestral land (which returns to the owner during the Jubilee year), a purchased field remains consecrated permanently unless redeemed by the owner. Rashi explains that this verse refers to a field bought from someone outside one's ancestral tribe, which has different sanctification rules.
Q: Why is this verse important in Jewish law?
A: This verse is important because it clarifies the distinction between dedicating ancestral land (from one's inherited portion in Israel) versus purchased land. The Talmud (Arachin 29a) elaborates that purchased fields do not return to the owner during the Jubilee (Yovel) if consecrated, teaching us about the permanence of certain sanctifications in Halacha (Jewish law).
Q: What can we learn from Leviticus 27:22 today?
A: Even though the Temple is not standing today, this verse teaches the principle of careful commitment to sacred matters. The Rambam (Hilchot Arachin 4:20) derives from here that vows and dedications must be made with clear intent, reminding us to be mindful of our obligations and promises to Hashem.
Q: How does this apply to modern property ownership?
A: While the laws of consecrated fields apply primarily when the Temple stands, the underlying lesson remains relevant: ownership comes with spiritual responsibility. The Sforno notes that this law emphasizes that even acquired property (not just inherited land) must be used in alignment with divine will, teaching us to sanctify all aspects of our possessions.