Leviticus 27:7

7 And if from sixty year and upward, if it be a male, his valuation shall be fifteen didrachms of silver, and if a female, ten didrachms.

Leviticus 27:7 Meaning and Commentary

Leviticus 27:7

And if [it be] from sixty years old and above
When man is almost past his labour, and it is high time to leave off business;

if [it be] a male, then thy estimation shall between shekels;
about one pound fifteen shillings:

and for the female ten shekels;
about one pound three shillings; it may be observed that there is not the disproportion between a man and a woman in old age as in youth, with respect to the estimation of them; the reason of which is, because there is but little difference in their labour and service; nay, sometimes the woman is most useful and serviceable; for when a man, through age, is quite worn out and his labour gone, an older woman is capable of managing the affairs of the family, and is of great use and service, either by directing and advising, or by doing: so Jarchi observes, when persons come to old age, a woman is nearly to be reckoned as a man, and quotes a proverb of theirs, an old man in a house is a broken potsherd in the house (some interpret the word, a snare or stumbling block, that is in the way); an old woman in a house is a treasure in a house, a good sign in a house {p}, of great use in the management of the affairs of the family.


FOOTNOTES:

F16 T. Bab. Eracin, fol. 19. 1. vid. Yalkut, par. 1. fol. 198. 1.

Leviticus 27:7 In-Context

5 And if it be from five years old to twenty, the valuation of a male shall be twenty didrachms, and of a female ten didrachms.
6 And from a month old to five years old, the valuation of a male shall be five didrachms, and of a female, three didrachms of silver.
7 And if from sixty year and upward, if it be a male, his valuation shall be fifteen didrachms of silver, and if a female, ten didrachms.
8 And if the man be too poor for the valuation, he shall stand before the priest; and the priest shall value him: according to what the man who has vowed can afford, the priest shall value him.
9 And if it be from the cattle that are offered as a gift to the Lord, whoever shall offer one of these to the Lord, it shall be holy.

The Brenton translation of the Septuagint is in the public domain.