271 God spoke to Moses. He said, 2 "Speak to the People of Israel. Tell them: If anyone wants to vow the value of a person to the service of God, 3 set the value of a man between the ages of twenty and sixty at fifty shekels of silver, according to the Sanctuary shekel. 4 For a woman the valuation is thirty shekels. 5 If the person is between the ages of five and twenty, set the value at twenty shekels for a male and ten shekels for a female. 6 If the person is between one month and five years, set the value at five shekels of silver for a boy and three shekels of silver for a girl. 7 If the person is over sixty, set the value at fifteen shekels for a man and ten shekels for a woman. 8 If anyone is too poor to pay the stated amount, he is to present the person to the priest, who will then set the value for him according to what the person making the vow can afford.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Leviticus 27:1-8
Commentary on Leviticus 27:1-13
(Read Leviticus 27:1-13)
Zeal for the service of God disposed the Israelites, on some occasions, to dedicate themselves or their children to the service of the Lord, in his house for life. Some persons who thus dedicated themselves might be employed as assistants; in general they were to be redeemed for a value. It is good to be zealously affected and liberally disposed for the Lord's service; but the matter should be well weighed, and prudence should direct as to what we do; else rash vows and hesitation in doing them will dishonour God, and trouble our own minds.