Leviticus 27:11

Every unclean beast, however, - an ass for example, - which could not be offered in sacrifice, was to be placed before the priest for him to value it "between good and bad," i.e., neither very high as if it were good, nor very low as if it were bad, but at a medium price; and it was to be according to this valuation, i.e., to be worth the value placed upon it (הכּהן כּערכּך according to thy, the priest's, valuation), namely, when sold for the good of the sanctuary and its servants.

The last verse of the foregoing chapter seemed to close up the statute-book; yet this chapter is added as an appendix. Having given laws concerning instituted services, here he directs concerning vows and voluntary services, the free-will offerings of their mouth. Perhaps some devout serious people among them might be so affected with what Moses had delivered to them in the foregoing chapter as in a pang of zeal to consecrate themselves, or their children, or estates to him: this, because honestly meant, God would accept; but, because men are apt to repent of such vows, he leaves room for the redemption of what had been so consecrated, at a certain rate. Here is, I. The law concerning what was sanctified to God, persons (Lev 27:2-8), cattle, clean or unclean (Lev 27:9-13), houses and lands (Lev 27:15-25), with an exception of firstlings, (Lev 27:26, Lev 27:27). II. Concerning what was devoted (Lev 27:28, Lev 27:29). III. Concerning tithes (Lev 27:30, etc.).

27:11-13 An unclean animal, one unfit either for food or sacrifice, could be bought back by the worshiper for its assessed value plus 20 percent. No doubt the reasoning behind this rule was to preserve the sanctity of vows and to minimize thoughtless dedications. For the 20 percent surcharge on property, see 27:15, 19, 31.