Leviticus 27:6

6 A boy between the ages of one month and five years is valued at five shekels of silver; a girl of that age is valued at three shekels of silver.

Leviticus 27:6 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 27:6

And if [it be] from a month old even unto five years old
That is, if a man devotes his child to the Lord within such an age, and says, the estimation of this my son or my daughter be upon me, then he was to pay the value, as next directed; for one under a month old no estimation was to be made: the Jews say,

``one less than a mouth old may be vowed, but not estimated ^F15:''

then thy estimation shall be of the male five shekels of silver;
somewhat more than ten shillings:

and for the female thy estimation [shall be] three shekels of silver;
about seven shillings, which is the least value put on any; and though the lives of male or female at this age are equally uncertain, and the service of either of little worth when near the full time fixed; yet the preference is given to the male, as being of the more perfect kind, and its life generally most desirable.

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FOOTNOTES:

F15 Misn. Eracin, c. 1. sect. 1.

Leviticus 27:6 In-Context

4 A woman of that age is valued at thirty shekels of silver.

5 A boy between the ages of five and twenty is valued at twenty shekels of silver; a girl of that age is valued at ten shekels of silver.

6 A boy between the ages of one month and five years is valued at five shekels of silver; a girl of that age is valued at three shekels of silver.

7 A man older than sixty is valued at fifteen shekels of silver; a woman of that age is valued at ten shekels of silver.

8 If you desire to make such a vow but cannot afford to pay the required amount, take the person to the priest. He will determine the amount for you to pay based on what you can afford.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or A boy . . . 2 ounces [57 grams] of silver; a girl . . . 1.2 ounces [34 grams].